Job 20-21

“Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?” (21:7).  Job had been taught that evil actions would bring about trouble.  As his friend Zophar said, the wicked “swallow down riches and vomit them up again” (20:15).  But Job knew from observation and experience that life is not so well-ordered.  Rich people sometimes die in undeserved comfort (21:23), and the righteous endure suffering.  Job insisted that his friends admit the truth: we can’t always point to the “root cause” of trouble (19:28, 21:34).

“You may know there is a judgment” (19:29).  Job warned his friends to stop criticizing and start examining their own lives.  God is the only wise and perfect Judge.