As the second act to the ‘play’ is brought to a close, Job tells the friends that he knows their thoughts. He knew by the very expressions on their faces that they still clung to the idea that he was a wicked man (Job 21:27). It is such a tragedy that some folks, perhaps many (most?), are unwilling to listen to reason. The obvious is deliberately blurred by the movers and shakers of this world in an effort to maintain their cause, which must be defended at all cost. So, truth is exchanged for a treasured idea, held precious and undeniable. Real truth, even obvious truth, is unattainable to such folks who simply refuse to see, refuse to understand and refuse to listen to reason. Why is this so? Why would, otherwise, intelligent folks, religious folks, folks who claim they treasure the paths of righteousness and knowledge of God, choose the lie in the face of obvious truth?
The friends maintain that all the wicked have come to ruin, just as Job has met his fate and awaits the final blow of death (Job 21:28), but their position is indefensible. How could they not know they’re wrong? Job tells them, ask any passerby, any merchant traveler who goes from one country to the next. Bildad told Job to ask any of the holy ones or religious folk who knew the truth (Job 5:1), but Job tells the friends to ask anyone, religious or otherwise—the next passerby—and he would tell them the obvious (Job 21:29). But, what might that be?
The truth of the matter is that the present is not the time for the judgment of God. Nevertheless, the wicked are to be punished, and there is a day set aside, when the Lord would judge the world (Jude 1:14). This prophecy existed at that very time, and the friends, no doubt, knew of it: Enoch, the seventh from Adam, mentioned such a day of destruction, a day of judgment and of the wrath of God (Job 21:30). Nevertheless, the friends refused to recognize such a day. For them, the day was the present. All things occurred in the present, and the list of God is short, and he judged promptly. There is no delay, because he lets nothing for another day (cp. Hosea 4:17).[1]
Always, the proof of a matter is in the pudding. It is in the taste. What does truth taste like? Sometimes, it is sweet, but often it is bitter. Job asks the friends, if they would dare approach the wicked and speak of his way to his face (Job 21:31). Would they ever insult the powerful, the tyrant, to his face? Yet, they continue to do so with Job! Why is that? Isn’t it because they don’t fear any reprisals from Job? Although they would never seek to accost the wicked, either to accuse him or to bring him to justice, they had no such fear of Job. In other words, their own actions declared the lie they embraced. They didn’t really believe the wicked are destroyed in the present, because, if they did, surely, they would have been afraid to accuse Job of wrongdoing, of being a wicked man. Who could tell whether or not, if Job were a wicked man, he still possessed the power to destroy them? Therefore, because they have no fear of Job, they knew deep in their souls that he wasn’t the person they accused him of being, because if they had such courage to speak to Job, why not have same courage to face truly wicked and powerful men?
Indeed, all the wicked will go to the grave. The great procession of mankind went before him and will continue after him, and this matter they have in common even with the animal kingdom (cp. Ecclesiastes 3:19). Yet, the rich and powerful will seek to remove the humiliation of death through the pomp of an impressive funeral. Nevertheless, despite all the impressive appearance, the man, whoever he is, however great or common, he is dead, and he lies in the grave with all other men (Job 21:32-34). Therefore, the comfort of the friends is in vain (cp. Job 5:8; 11:13-19; 15:11). What they offer is false, because, clearly, the punishment of the wicked is for another day. Therefore, it is no strange matter that the wicked go to the grave unrewarded for their wicked deeds. The obvious may be a bitter pill to swallow, but it is true, and, therefore, a resurrection is demanded, if, indeed, there is a just God.
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[1] It makes no difference if one says he believes in a resurrection and a future judgment, if he demands that all things must be fair in this life. Embracing the idea that God **must** judge now, if fairness is to triumph over iniquity, denies a future resurrection and judgment that the scriptures teach.
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