What does "venom of serpents" symbolize in Job 20:16? Setting the Scene Job 20 records Zophar’s second response to Job. He argues that the apparent prosperity of the wicked is short-lived and that divine judgment swiftly overtakes them. Verse 16 states: “He will suck the venom of serpents; the fangs of an adder will kill him.” What “Venom of Serpents” Signifies • Deadly consequences of sin – just as snake venom works inwardly and fatally, so the wicked person’s own evil choices poison him from within. • Inevitable divine judgment – the image stresses that God’s retribution is certain, painful, and terminal, not a mere slap on the wrist. • Sudden, irreversible ruin – once venom is swallowed, there is no turning back; likewise, when God’s judgment arrives, escape is impossible. • Spiritual death – the serpent has long symbolized Satan and rebellion (Genesis 3:1-15); absorbing its poison pictures sharing in the enemy’s fate. Supporting Scripture • Deuteronomy 32:33 – “Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras.” • Psalm 58:4 – “Their venom is like the venom of a serpent.” • Romans 3:13 – “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” • Revelation 20:10 – ultimate destruction prepared for “the serpent of old.” Key Takeaways • Wicked gain tastes sweet at first, but it becomes lethal poison (Job 20:12-14). • God’s justice is not delayed forever; it strikes with the certainty and speed of a snakebite. • Aligning with sin aligns with the serpent, bringing the same doom the devil will receive. Living It Out • Reject any allure of sin-soaked “success”; it carries venom that kills joy, reputation, and soul. • Trust God’s timing; apparent triumphs of evil are temporary, but His judgment is sure. • Cling to Christ, who “became sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21) and neutralized the serpent’s bite by bearing our penalty on the cross, granting eternal life to all who believe. |
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