RPG Adults
WEALTH’S FLEETING JOY
SATURDAY, MAY 14
Job 20:17-29
Jeremiah 17:7-11
“Blessed is the man…
whose hope the LORD is.”
WEALTH’S FLEETING JOY
Zophar declared again that although the wicked might gain wealth and power by evil means, they would never enjoy it. The wicked man will never see the “brooks of honey and butter” (Job 20:17). That is, he will never be able to enjoy the bounty he has gained. All of his wealth will be worthless because he has obtained it in an evil way. This is a continuation of the idea that the wicked always, ultimately, suffer on this earth (Job 20:17-22). However, as we learn from the parable of the rich man, this is not always true. It is true that wealth does not bring real satisfaction or meet man’s greatest need but there are ungodly people who are wealthy and seem to be satisfied, having no interest in God. Their judgment will not be in this life, but it is sure (Luke 12:16-20).
According to Zophar, in the midst of wicked man’s prosperity, punishment will come upon him. He will try to flee from God’s punishment even as a soldier tries to flee from the weapons of the enemy. The picture here is of the wicked man suddenly having terrible physical afflictions. No doubt, Zophar hoped to convince Job by these words that his horrible physical suffering must be from God because of unconfessed sin. Certainly, it is true that wicked men do sometimes suddenly lose all of their wealth and others, while keeping wealth, find no satisfaction in it. However, again, we must state that this did not apply to Job who was righteous before God by faith (Job 20:22-25). The eternal punishment of the wicked is sure. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that the day will come when the Lord shall come from heaven to punish the wicked inhabitants of the earth (Job 20:26-29; Isa 26:21).
Surely, reading these verses reminds us that it is better to suffer, even as Job did but know God, than to have great wealth and be without Him. May we rest in this truth.
THOUGHT: To know the Lord is to know real joy.
PRAYER: Father, keep me from worldly thinking.