Job 34:20 - Exposition

In a moment shall they die . All lie under the same law of death—

" Pallida Mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas

Regumque turres ."

(Horace,'Od.,' 1.4, 11. 13, 14.)

"In a moment," whenever God wills, they pass from life and disappear, the rich equally with the needy, the powerful prince as much as the outcast and the beggar. And the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away. (comp. Exodus 12:29 ; 2 Kings 19:35 ). Such sudden catastrophes are infrequent; but it is within the power of God to produce them at any time. When they occur, they strikingly exemplify the equality of his dealings with all classes of men, since none escape ( Exodus 11:5 ; Exodus 12:29 ). And the mighty shall be taken away without hand ; i.e. without human agency (comp. Daniel 2:34 ).