Job - Caput 21

Job 21.1 respondens autem Iob dixit Job 21.2 audite quaeso sermones meos et agetis paenitentiam Job 21.3 sustinete me ut et ego loquar et post mea si videbitur verba ridete Job 21.4 numquid contra hominem disputatio mea est ut merito non debeam contristari Job 21.5 adtendite me et obstupescite et superponite digitum ori vestro Job 21.6 et ego quando recordatus fuero pertimesco et concutit carnem meam tremor Job 21.7 quare ergo impii vivunt sublevati sunt confortatique divitiis Job 21.8 semen eorum permanet coram eis propinquorum turba et nepotum in conspectu eorum Job 21.9 domus eorum securae sunt et pacatae et non est virga Dei super illos Job 21.10 bos eorum concepit et non abortit vacca peperit et non est privata fetu suo Job 21.11 egrediuntur quasi greges parvuli eorum et infantes eorum exultant lusibus Job 21.12 tenent tympanum et citharam et gaudent ad sonitum organi Job 21.13 ducunt in bonis dies suos et in puncto ad inferna descendunt Job 21.14 qui dixerunt Deo recede a nobis et scientiam viarum tuarum nolumus Job 21.15 quid est Omnipotens ut serviamus ei et quid nobis prodest si oraverimus illum Job 21.16 verumtamen quia non sunt in manu eorum bona sua consilium impiorum longe sit a me Job 21.17 quotiens lucerna impiorum extinguetur et superveniet eis inundatio et dolores dividet furoris sui Job 21.18 erunt sicut paleae ante faciem venti et sicut favilla quam turbo dispergit Job 21.19 Deus servabit filiis illius dolorem patris et cum reddiderit tunc sciet Job 21.20 videbunt oculi eius interfectionem suam et de furore Omnipotentis bibet Job 21.21 quid enim ad eum pertinet de domo sua post se et si numerus mensuum eius dimidietur Job 21.22 numquid Deum quispiam docebit scientiam qui excelsos iudicat Job 21.23 iste moritur robustus et sanus dives et felix Job 21.24 viscera eius plena sunt adipe et medullis ossa illius inrigantur Job 21.25 alius vero moritur in amaritudine animae absque ullis opibus Job 21.26 et tamen simul in pulverem dormient et vermes operient eos Job 21.27 certe novi cogitationes vestras et sententias contra me iniquas Job 21.28 dicitis enim ubi est domus principis et ubi tabernacula impiorum Job 21.29 interrogate quemlibet de viatoribus et haec eadem eum intellegere cognoscetis Job 21.30 quia in diem perditionis servabitur malus et ad diem furoris ducitur Job 21.31 quis arguet coram eo viam eius et quae fecit quis reddet illi Job 21.32 ipse ad sepulchra ducetur et in congerie mortuorum vigilabit Job 21.33 dulcis fuit glareis Cocyti et post se omnem hominem trahet et ante se innumerabiles Job 21.34 quomodo igitur consolamini me frustra cum responsio vestra repugnare ostensa sit veritati

Job : Caput 21

Job's Reply to His Friends: A Reflection on the Prosperity of the Wicked Job 21 represents a significant response from Job to his friends. It raises a profound question: Why do the wicked prosper? In this pivotal speech, Job challenges the apparent injustice of the wicked's prosperity, opposing the simplistic view of punishment his friends have adopted. This text addresses themes such as the complexity of divine justice, the reality of the suffering of the righteous, and the apparent impunity of the wicked in this life. Job 21 delves into the heart of the enigma of human suffering and theodicy. We invite you to explore with us five biblical passages that shed light on the provocative themes of this thought-provoking chapter.

Psalm 73:3-5

"For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of these wicked people. They do not suffer, but their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from everyone's burdens; they are not affected by diseases like other men."

This psalm reflects Job's question in Job 21 about why the wicked sometimes prosper. It highlights the anguish of those who seek justice.

Jeremiah 12:1

"You are righteous, Lord, when I bring a matter before you. Yet I would argue with you about your justice. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the treacherous live without problems?"

Jeremiah expresses a frustration similar to Job's, questioning the apparent prosperity of the wicked and God's justice.

Malachi 3:15

"Today we consider the arrogant happy. Those who do evil not only prosper, but when they put God to the test, they go unpunished."

Malachi addresses the same dilemma presented in Job 21, highlighting the impunity of the wicked and the questions it raises.

Habakkuk 1:13

"Your eyes are so pure that they cannot bear to see evil; you cannot tolerate evil. Why then do you tolerate the wicked? Why do you remain silent while the wicked devour those who are more righteous than they?"

Habakkuk shares a similar perplexity to Job, questioning God's tolerance of the wicked.

2 Peter 3:9

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, as some count slowness. But he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance."

Peter offers a perspective on the apparent delay in judging the wicked, a theme also addressed in Job 21, recalling God's patience with humanity.

These passages invite us to reflect on divine justice and to understand that the prosperity of the wicked is not always an indication of God's approval, but rather a call to understand the complexity of suffering and faith.