In Job 20:5, Zophar the Naamathite states, “that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment” (NIV). In response, Job asks the following:

Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?

Job 21:7 (NIV)

Zophar and Job appear to have two diametrically opposed viewpoints about the wicked based on Zophar’s statement and Job’s question. Reading on in Job 20, Zophar describes what happens to the wicked in Job 20:6-29. I’m not going to cover everything Zophar said, but I encourage you to read it yourself. However, I want to point out this statement.

Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow pierces him.

Job 20:24 (NIV)

This verse encapsulates Zophar’s point of view. There will be justice for the wicked on earth, and they cannot escape it. Job, on the other hand, disagrees.

Yet how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? How often does calamity come upon them, the fate God allots in his anger?

Job 21:17 (NIV)

Setting aside Zophar and Job’s thoughts on the matter, what do you see? Before you answer, you must realize that everyone who has not yet been saved is amongst the “wicked” and that there are no “good” people who will go to heaven based on the things they did or didn’t do. Only through faith in Christ is a person transformed from being counted amongst the wicked into a child of God. Back to the question; what do you see in the world?

There are more billionaires and millionaires today than ever before. It looks like the old adage that the rich get richer is true. After all, that’s what Job described*.

That the wicked are spared from the day of calamity, that they are delivered from the day of wrath?

Job 21:30 (NIV)

In the Gospel of Luke, we are given this promise in the case of the unjust judge.

I tell you, [God] will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Luke 18:8 (NIV)

This verse seems to fit with Zophar’s viewpoint that there will be justice for the people of God. What we ought to really pay attention to, however, is the question Jesus asks, “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

When we consider what Zophar and Job said, we must do so with an eternal perspective because both Zophar and Job are correct. The lens we use to view what they say shows us the truth.

Zophar said, “the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.” Consider the average lifespan of a human being and then compare that to eternity. Even if someone lived to be 500 years old, never knew Jesus, and was rich and prosperous the entire time, those 500 years are nothing compared to eternity. Thus, their “mirth” and “joy” is only for a moment. The apostle Paul touches on this idea in 2 Corinthians.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

As we think about what Job has said, that the “wicked are spared from the day of calamity,” Job might believe there is no justice on earth. However, Job is telling his friends that sometimes there appears to be no justice on the planet for the wicked while the righteous suffer. Zophar and his contemporaries have limited perspectives. They believe those who live righteous lives will be shown righteous on the earth through their prosperity. The righteous won’t suffer as Job has, while the wicked will be punished. Therefore, Job cannot be righteous because he’s suffering.

We must place our faith, hope, and trust in God, knowing God knows what he is doing. I believe Jesus was talking about putting our faith in God when he asked if he would find faith on earth. Will Jesus find people eager to accept him who have stood by him in faith, or will he find people focused on the world and all in it?

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

*This is for illustration only. I’m not implying that financially wealthy people are unsaved.
Advertisement