What does "dreadful sounds" in Job 15:21 reveal about the wicked's conscience? Locating the Phrase in Context Job 15:21: “A sound of dread is in his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer comes upon him.” Eliphaz is describing the moral and emotional landscape of the ungodly. Though his theology is imperfect, the Holy Spirit still records this vivid insight: the wicked are stalked by inward alarms even when nothing seems outwardly wrong. “Dreadful Sounds” — What Are They? • Not audible noises around him, but the echo of guilt within him • The Hebrew word qōl can mean “voice,” “sound,” or “rumor”—implying inner whisperings that alarm the heart • These sounds pierce “in his prosperity,” showing they are self-generated, not circumstantial The Wicked Conscience Unveiled • Persistent awareness of accountability – Romans 2:15: “their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or even defending them.” • Constant anticipation of judgment – Proverbs 28:1: “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” • Lack of true peace – Isaiah 48:22: “There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.” • Fear magnified by blessings – Prosperity should comfort, yet it sharpens dread because the wicked know they do not deserve it and cannot keep it Why the Sounds Are “Dreadful” • They announce inevitable ruin (“the destroyer comes”)—puncturing every illusion of safety • They are inescapable—arising from within, following the sinner wherever he goes • They foreshadow God’s future judgment—Hebrews 10:27 speaks of “a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire” Practical Takeaways • Sin never grants lasting security; even success is haunted by guilt-born terror • A desensitized culture cannot silence the God-given conscience; it merely amplifies the dread when quiet moments come • True peace is found only in righteousness imputed by Christ (Romans 5:1) rather than in prosperity, possessions, or denial Summary The “dreadful sounds” of Job 15:21 lift the curtain on the wicked man’s conscience: an inner siren of guilt, an unrelenting reminder of coming judgment, and a testimony that prosperity cannot hush the voice of accountability before a holy God. |
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