Job 20
Job 20 records Zophar’s second response to Job. Here, Zophar expresses his belief that the wicked are quickly punished, and their prosperity is short-lived. He argues that although the wicked may seem successful, their downfall is inevitable because of their sins. His speech reflects the traditional belief that suffering is a direct result of sin, and Zophar urges Job to repent to avoid further punishment.
Job 20:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
2 “Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer, because of the turmoil within me.
3 I have heard the rebuke that reproaches me, and the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer.
4 Do you not know this of old, since man was placed on earth,
5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?"
Zophar is troubled by Job’s words, feeling insulted by Job’s responses in previous chapters. He feels compelled to speak, relying on his understanding of traditional wisdom. Zophar begins by reminding Job of an ancient truth: the success of the wicked is always brief. He asserts that even though the wicked may seem joyful for a time, their downfall is inevitable and imminent.
Job 20:6-9 (NKJV)
6 "Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, and his head reaches to the clouds,
7 Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
8 He will fly away like a dream and not be found; yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.
9 The eye that saw him will see him no more, nor will his place behold him anymore."
Zophar emphasizes that the arrogant wicked person may rise to great heights in life, but this success is fleeting. Their eventual destruction will be so complete that people will no longer remember them. Like a dream that vanishes upon waking, the memory of the wicked will disappear, leaving no trace of their former glory.
Job 20:10-12 (NKJV)
10 "His children will seek the favor of the poor, and his hands will restore his wealth.
11 His bones are full of his youthful vigor, but it will lie down with him in the dust.
12 Though evil is sweet in his mouth, and he hides it under his tongue."
Zophar argues that the wicked will lose everything, including their wealth and family legacy. Even their children will have to beg from the poor. The vitality and strength they once enjoyed will decay in the grave. Though the wicked may indulge in evil and take pleasure in it, hiding it like a sweet secret, this joy will not last.
Job 20:13-16 (NKJV)
13 "Though he spares it and does not forsake it, but still keeps it in his mouth,
14 Yet his food in his stomach turns sour; it becomes cobra venom within him.
15 He swallows down riches and vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly.
16 He will suck the poison of cobras; the viper’s tongue will slay him."
Zophar describes how the pleasures of sin will turn into poison. The wicked may enjoy indulging in sinful gain, but what seems sweet will turn into something deadly. Riches and wealth obtained through wicked means will not bring lasting happiness or security, and God will forcefully strip them away. In the end, the wicked will experience the bitterness and destruction of their sinful actions.
Job 20:17-19 (NKJV)
17 "He will not see the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream.
18 He will restore that for which he labored, and will not swallow it down; from the proceeds of business he will get no enjoyment.
19 For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor, he has violently seized a house which he did not build."
The wicked will be deprived of the blessings they long for, symbolized by streams of honey and cream, representing abundance. Even though they may have worked hard to gain wealth, they will not enjoy it because it was obtained unjustly. Their actions of oppressing the poor and taking what does not belong to them will result in their eventual ruin and inability to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Job 20:20-22 (NKJV)
20 "Because he knows no quietness in his heart, he will not save anything he desires.
21 Nothing is left for him to eat; therefore his well-being will not last.
22 In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress; every hand of misery will come against him."
The wicked will live in constant unrest, never satisfied with what they have. Despite their efforts to accumulate wealth and pleasure, they will find no peace or security. In their self-reliance, they will face overwhelming distress and calamity, as everything they trusted in will fail them, and misery will overtake them.
Job 20:23-25 (NKJV)
23 "When he is about to fill his stomach, God will cast on him the fury of His wrath, and will rain it on him while he is eating.
24 He will flee from the iron weapon; a bronze bow will pierce him through.
25 It is drawn, and comes out of the body; yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors come upon him."
Zophar paints a vivid picture of divine judgment. Even when the wicked think they are secure and about to enjoy their success, God’s wrath will strike them down. They will not escape God’s justice, and their downfall will be swift and unavoidable, like being pierced by a deadly arrow. The image of terror upon them signifies the complete and fearful end of their prosperity.
Job 20:26-28 (NKJV)
26 "Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. An unfanned fire will consume him; it shall go ill with him who is left in his tent.
27 The heavens will reveal his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him.
28 The increase of his house will depart, and his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath."
The treasures the wicked accumulate will ultimately be consumed, as darkness and destruction will cover all they possess. Zophar describes the inevitability of divine justice, where even the heavens and the earth testify against the wicked. Everything the wicked built up will be destroyed in the day of God’s wrath, leaving nothing behind.
Job 20:29 (NKJV)
29 "This is the portion from God for a wicked man, the heritage appointed to him by God."
Zophar concludes by stating that the fate of the wicked is determined by God. Their inevitable downfall is the inheritance they receive for their actions. This “portion” from God serves as a warning to those who live wickedly, highlighting the certainty of their punishment. Zophar implies that Job's suffering may be due to hidden sin, urging Job to consider his ways.