Job·Chapter 21

How to Apply

This week, take a moment to reflect on your actions and their potential impact on others. Think about a decision you’re facing right now. Ask yourself how this choice might affect your family or friends in the future. You could even talk to someone close to you about the idea of legacy and how your choices shape not just your life but theirs as well. It’s a practical way to live with intention and awareness, making sure you’re contributing positively to the world around you.

Chapter Context

To really grasp this verse, let’s step back into the flow of Job's story. Job has been hit hard by suffering, and he’s grappling with the idea of why bad things happen to good people. In this chapter, he’s challenging the conventional wisdom that says people only suffer because they’ve done something wrong. He’s frustrated, feeling like he’s being treated unfairly. This verse comes as part of a larger argument where Job wants people to see the truth – that life isn’t always about simple cause and effect. It’s a pivotal moment that adds tension and depth to his struggle, pushing against the idea that God punishes everyone’s mistakes in a straightforward way. Job is saying, 'Let’s really understand the implications of our actions!'

Key Biblical Words (Word Study)

• god - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• stores - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• up - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• iniquity - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• children - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• pay - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• out - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• know - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".

Reflection Question

How do you think your choices today could affect the people you care about tomorrow?

Related Verses

• Exodus 34:7 - This verse talks about how the consequences of actions can affect future generations, emphasizing that our choices matter.
• Deuteronomy 5:9 - This verse describes how the actions of parents can have effects on their children, reinforcing the idea of accountability across generations.
• Ezekiel 18:20 - Here, the focus shifts to individual responsibility, suggesting that each person is accountable for their own actions, but still acknowledges the family connection.
• Galatians 6:7 - This verse reminds us that we will reap what we sow, linking directly to the idea that our choices have consequences.

Personal Prayer

Lord, thank You for the truth found in Job 21:19. Help me to take the insights from this scripture and apply them to my heart today.Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Main Themes

Theodicy, Prosperity of the wicked, Divine justice, Human suffering, Questioning faith, Existential despair

Key Verses

Job 21:7, Job 21:14, Job 21:17, Job 21:19, Job 21:20

Historical Context

Job Chapter 21 is situated in the larger context of the dialogues between Job and his friends, who argue that suffering is a direct result of personal sin. Job's response highlights his struggle with this conventional wisdom and reflects the broader theme of questioning the simplistic cause-and-effect relationship between righteousness and suffering. His observations about the wicked challenge the assumptions of his friends and raise deeper theological questions about God’s justice and the nature of human suffering. This chapter serves as a pivotal moment in the text, where Job articulates a profound disillusionment with traditional views on divine retribution.