Today I read Job 23 and 24, Job’s response to Eliphaz’s third speech. Job says he has not done evil but knows people sometimes get away with evil for a while before they lose everything. Today I considered that there is evil in the world but eventually evil will lose.
Evil Eventually Loses
Job wants to complain to God but acknowledges that people doing evil sometimes get away with it for a while before the lose everything (Job 23:1-24:25). Job believes he has a right to complain and would go to God if he knew were on earth to go. Job says God would hear him and dismiss the charges. Job traveled north, south, east and west but didn’t find him. Job says God knows Job has obeyed God and even treasured God’s advice. God will do what he wants and is sovereign. Job is in the dark and cannot see. Job says people are getting away with murdered, theft and other crimes. The poor are extorted; the homeless are cold and wet; nursing mothers babies are stolen; and hard workers are going hungry but God is doing nothing. There are those who avoid the light, waiting for darkness to murder, sexually assault, and commit burglary. Those that prey on others are empty have success for a while and eventually will have nothing. Job said if this is not true show that I am lying.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
People have oppressed, stolen from and sexually harmed individuals for centuries as we see Job speaking about it in the Old Testament. They sometimes get away with it for a while thinking they are safe and nothing will happen. Eventually they lose everything or face judgment. Their joy in doing evil will not last forever.
What examples have you seen of someone who got away with sin or evil deeds for a while but he or she got punished or lose everything later?