Job Chapter 24
Please read: Job 24 –
The question that is weighing heavy on Job’s mind is why God does not punish the wicked. You and I have asked that question too. It seems like there are too many people in this world committing horrendous crimes and yet they go unpunished. We know what their end will be and most likely what their eternity will be unless they repent and give their lives to Jesus.
Job gives many examples of how people have hurt other people and how unfair it was that they seemed to have gotten away with it. He describes the hurt and the pain that they cause others. Job speaks on this subject because his friends have insisted that the wicked are punished. But that is not always the case. These are things that make us shake our head at humanity when we see the destruction that sin causes. But we know that God’s judgement is coming and it will be far worse than any punishment man could imagine.
Let's Reflect
1. In the first section Job describes how people steal from one another. They even take from the widows and the poor. The poor are forced to forage for scraps of food. He describes poor people having to lie naked without shelter. Where do they stay?
2. The wicked steal the babies of the poor and make them to be servants. They are hungry and thirsty. He says that the dying groan but still God does not do what? See verse 12.
3. In verses 13-17 he sites the observation as to the time of day criminals commit their crimes. What time of day does crime happen?
4. Job reminds his friends in verses 18-20 that they have said the wicked are punished. It is as if Job then says, yes I agree they do get punishment but not when you think they do. When are the wicked punished?
5. These wicked people can commit horrendous crimes against barren women and widows, yet their crime goes unpunished. It seems as though God is letting them get away with it and their days on this earth are even lengthened. The criminals live their life without being touched but then what finally happens to them?
6. Job ends his speech with a challenge to his friends. What is the challenge?
“Job challenges all men to contradict what he affirms, — that the righteous may be greater sufferers, and the wicked may for awhile prosper, but that God will, in the end, overthrow the ungodly, and establish the righteous.” [Spurgeon]
