Job 21

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:12

They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ . The "timbrel" ( תף ) is probably the tambourine, an instrument used from a remote antiquity by the Orientals. It consisted of a round hoop of wood, into which were sometimes inserted jingling rings of metal, and upon which was stretched at one end a sheet of parchment. It is represented on the monuments both of Egypt and Phoenicia. The harp ( כִנּוֹר ) was, in the early times, a very simple instrument, consisting... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:13

They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave . They die, i.e. ' without suffering from any prolonged or severe illness, such as that grievous affliction from which Job himself was suffering. Probably Job does not mean to maintain all this absolutely, or as universally the case, but he wishes to force his friends to acknowledge that there are many exceptions to their universal law, that wickedness is always visited in this world with condign punishment, and he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:14

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us . It is this impunity which leads the wicked to renounce God altogether. They think that they get on very well without God, and consequently have no need to serve him. Job puts their thoughts into words (verses 14, 15), and thus very graphically represents their tone of feeling. For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. The wicked feel no interest in God; they do not trouble themselves about him; his ways are "far above out of their sight,"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:15

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? "Who is Jehovah," said Pharaoh to Moses, "that I should obey his voice? I know not Jehovah" ( Exodus 5:2 ). So the ungodly in Job's time. They pretend to have no knowledge of God, no sense of his claims upon them, no internal consciousness that they are bound to worship and obey him. They are agnostics of a pronounced type, or at least they profess to be such. What profit, they ask, should we have, if we pray to him? Expediency is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:16

Lo, their good is not in their hand ; i.e. their prosperity is not in their own power, not the result of their own efforts. God's providence is, at least, one element in it, since he exalts men and abases them, he casteth down and lifteth up. Hence it would seem to follow that they are his favourites. Shall Job therefore cast in his lot with them? No, he says, a thousand times, No! The counsel of the wicked is far from me ; or better, be the counsel of the wicked far from me! I will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:17

How oft is the candle of the wicked put out? This is not an exclamation, but a question, and is well rendered in the Revised Version, "How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out?" Is not the signal downfall of the wicked prosperous man a comparatively rare occur-fence? How oft cometh their destruction upon them! When the problem here propounded came before Asaph, he seems to have solved it by the supposition that in all cases retribution visited the wicked in this life, and that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:18

They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away ; rather, How oft is it that they are as stubble before the wind , and as chaff , etc.? The construction begun in the first clause of Job 21:17 is carried on to the end of Job 21:18 . "Stubble" and "chaff" are ordinary figures for foolish and ungodly men, whom the blast of God's anger swoops away to destruction (comp. Exodus 15:7 ; Psalms 1:4 ; Psalms 35:5 ; Psalms 83:13 ; Isaiah 27:13 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:19

God layeth up his iniquity for his children . Job supposes his opponents to make this answer to his arguments. "God," they may say, "punishes the wicked man in his children" (comp. Exodus 20:5 ). Job does not deny that he may do so, but suggests a better course in the next sentence. He rewardeth him ; rather, let him recompense it on himself— let him make the wicked man himself suffer, and then he shall know it. He shall perceive and know that he is receiving the due reward of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:20

His eyes shall see his destruction (or, let his own eyes see his destruction ), and he shall drink (or, let him drink ) of the wrath of the Almighty. It will impress him far more with a sense of his wickedness, and of his guilt in God's sight, if he receives punishment in his own person, than if he merely suffers vicariously through his children. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:21

For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? What does he care, ordinarily, about the happiness of his children and descendants? "Apres moi le deluge" is the selfish thought of bad men generally, when they cast a glance at the times which are to follow their decease. The fate of those whom they leave behind them troubles them but little. It would scarcely cause them a pang to know that their posterity would soon be "clean put out." When the number of his months is cut off in the midst ... read more

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