Job 21:22-34
22 "Can anyone teach God knowledge,
Since He judges those on high?
23 One dies in his full strength,
Being wholly at ease and secure;
24 His pails are full of milk,
And the marrow of his bones is moist.
25 Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul,
Never having eaten with pleasure.
26 They lie down alike in the dust,
And worms cover them.
27 "Look, I know your thoughts,
And the schemes with which you would wrong me.
28 For you say,
'Where is the house of the prince?
And where is the tent,
The dwelling place of the wicked?'
29 Have you not asked those who travel the road?
And do you not know their signs?
30 For the wicked are reserved for the day of doom;
They shall be brought out on the day of wrath.
31 Who condemns his way to his face?
And who repays him for what he has done?
32 Yet he shall be brought to the grave,
And a vigil kept over the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him;
Everyone shall follow him,
As countless have gone before him.
34 How then can you comfort me with empty words,
Since falsehood remains in your answers?"
Job continues his defense by appealing first to God as the highest authority, not his friends nor any other man. God judges both those on high in heaven and on this world, so nobody can teach Him or question His word. Both rich and poor die and face the same death, whether at ease in this life or in bitterness and poverty. This was a defense to those judging Job for losing everything and no longer being rich as previously. In the end, Job reminds them, God will judge, having reserved a place for wrath on those not declared righteous by Him. He is the judge. In these things Job reminded the counselors that their words are hollow and meaningless because they lie about him and about God. We do well to remember these things as we offer counsel to others in Christ; God alone knows the secrets of their hearts, and circumstances are not a barometer of judgment. We all need grace who are in Christ, declared righteous in His righteousness and never our own. Do we offer man’s lies or true godly counsel? Let no falsehood remain in our answers.
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