7 Wherefore do the wicked live? They have become old, Yea, they have been mighty in wealth. 8 Their seed is established, Before their face with them, And their offspring before their eyes. 9 Their houses 'are' peace without fear, Nor 'is' a rod of God upon them. 10 His bullock hath eaten corn, and doth not loath. His cow bringeth forth safely, And doth not miscarry. 11 They send forth as a flock their sucklings, And their children skip, 12 They lift 'themselves' up at timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of an organ. 13 They wear out in good their days, And in a moment 'to' Sheol go down. 14 And they say to God, 'Turn aside from us, And the knowledge of Thy ways We have not desired. 15 What 'is' the Mighty One that we serve Him? And what do we profit when we meet with Him?' 16 Lo, not in their hand 'is' their good, (The counsel of the wicked Hath been far from me.)
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 21:7-16
Commentary on Job 21:7-16
(Read Job 21:7-16)
Job says, Remarkable judgments are sometimes brought upon notorious sinners, but not always. Wherefore is it so? This is the day of God's patience; and, in some way or other, he makes use of the prosperity of the wicked to serve his own counsels, while it ripens them for ruin; but the chief reason is, because he will make it appear there is another world. These prospering sinners make light of God and religion, as if because they have so much of this world, they had no need to look after another. But religion is not a vain thing. If it be so to us, we may thank ourselves for resting on the outside of it. Job shows their folly.