Job 24:1-25

Things are not always as they seem to be and they are not always how we expect them to be.  We would expect that the wicked would suffer and that the godly would be prosperous.  This is the premise that has guided the thinking of Job’s friends.  However Job insists on the fact that he is a godly man and yet he is suffering greatly.  In this chapter Job takes up the other side of the argument and states that the wicked are often prosperous.  To Job is seems that the deeds of the wicked are ignored by God and they continue to multiply their wickedness without consequence.  This is where Job is mistaken and things are not as they seem.  There are consequences to wickedness, but they are not always immediate.  We must learn to patiently await the work of the Lord to be complete.  He truly is a just Judge and in time He will make all things right.

JOB COMPLAINS ABOUT THE WEALTH OF THE WICKED: Job points out how there are people who oppress others that are less fortunate than themselves.  These people violate all of the Laws of the Lord concerning relationships with others and making provision for the poor.  These wicked people exploit others and increase the suffering of the poor.  Job longs for these wicked people to be judged by God immediately.  He wants them to face the pain and suffering that he is facing and yet God does not seem to care about their sinful activity.  Job sees these wicked people peacefully enjoying their wealth and seeing their wealth increase.  Job is trying to point out that his own suffering must not be assumed to be caused by sin because many sinners are free from suffering.  Job’s logic is sound, but his attitude toward God and his understanding of God and His ways are very limited.

JOB COMPLAINS ABOUT THE POVERTY OF THE PURE: The poor objects of the exploitation of the wicked suffer great humiliation and pain.  Their property is seized; they are left to face the elements without shelter or clothing.  They are forced into gathering the food and pressing the grapes of the wealthy wicked wealthy but they are hungry and thirsty.  Job cries out for justice to be done because he wants justice to prevail in his own situation as well.  Job accuses God of being unjust in His judgments, but then he recognizes that this situation is only temporary.  We must never forget that our Lord is just and that He will judge all of mankind with perfect justice.  Those who have placed their faith in Christ will be forgiven because of Christ’s sacrifice and suffering.  Those who have rejected Christ will be judged according to their deeds and will have to suffer for their own sins apart from God for all of eternity.  We must gain God’s perspective on time.  We, like Job, can be convinced that life consists of the reality of this earth, but God has planned an eternal life for us that will cause the events of this earth to fade from our minds.