What is the meaning of Job 20:10? His sons will seek the favor of the poor • “His sons will seek the favor of the poor” (Job 20:10a) pictures a dramatic reversal: the very children of the once-prosperous evildoer now appeal to those their father likely ignored or exploited. • Scripture consistently shows that oppression boomerangs. Compare Job 5:4, where Eliphaz notes that the children of the foolish “are crushed in the gate,” and Psalm 109:9-12, where David prays that the offspring of the wicked become beggars. • God’s justice flips social positions (1 Samuel 2:7-8). Those who once lorded wealth over others must humble themselves before the humble. • The phrase does not blame innocent children for their father’s sin (cf. Deuteronomy 24:16); it highlights how sin’s earthly consequences ripple through families (Exodus 20:5; Proverbs 14:11). • Practical implication: worldly security built on unrighteousness is fragile; only integrity provides a legacy that blesses descendants (Proverbs 20:7). for his own hands must return his wealth • “For his own hands must return his wealth” (Job 20:10b) underscores compulsory restitution. What was gained through fraud or violence circles back to its rightful owners—or is lost entirely. • Job 27:16-17 echoes this: “Though he heaps up silver like dust...the righteous will wear the clothing, and the innocent will divide the silver.” • God built restitution into Israel’s law (Exodus 22:1-4; Leviticus 6:4-5). Zophar applies the same principle: the wicked man will not keep what his hands grasped. • Proverbs 13:22 affirms, “the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” Even in the New Testament Zacchaeus practiced this truth by returning fourfold (Luke 19:8). • The verb “must” stresses inevitability. Human courts may fail, but divine justice obligates repayment—even if that means loss through calamity, illness, or death (James 5:1-3). summary Job 20:10 paints a two-fold picture of divine justice: the children of the wicked are driven to plead with those once oppressed, and the wicked man himself is forced to disgorge ill-gotten wealth. Scripture treats these outcomes as sure signs that God overturns injustice and upholds the humble. True security lies in righteousness, not in riches obtained by sinful hands. |
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