Wickedness often unpunished. (1–12)
The wicked shun the light. (13–17)
Judgements for the wicked. (18–25)Verses 1–12
Job discourses further about the prosperity of the wicked. That many live at ease who are
ungodly and profane, he had showed, ch. xxi. Here he shows that many who live in open defiance
of all the laws of justice, succeed in wicked practices; and we do not see them reckoned with in
this world. He notices those that do wrong under pretence of law and authority; and robbers, those
that do wrong by force. He says, “God layeth not folly to them;” that is, he does not at once send
his judgments, nor make them examples, and so manifest their folly to all the world. But he that
gets riches, and not by right, at his end shall be a fool, Jer 17:11.
Verses 13–17
See what care and pains wicked men take to compass their wicked designs; let it shame our
negligence and slothfulness in doing good. See what pains those take, who make provision for the
flesh to fulfil the lusts of it: pains to compass, and then to hide that which will end in death and
hell at last. Less pains would mortify and crucify the flesh, and be life and heaven at last. Shame
came in with sin, and everlasting shame is at the end of it. See the misery of sinners; they are
exposed to continual frights: yet see their folly; they are afraid of coming under the eye of men,
but have no dread of God's eye, which is always upon them: they are not afraid of doing things
which they are afraid of being known to do.
Verses 18–25
Sometimes how gradual is the decay, how quiet the departure of a wicked person, how is he
honoured, and how soon are all his cruelties and oppressions forgotten! They are taken off with
other men, as the harvestman gathers the ears of corn as they come to hand. There will often appear
much to resemble the wrong view of Providence Job takes in this chapter. But we are taught by the
word of inspiration, that these notions are formed in ignorance, from partial views. The providence
of God, in the affairs of men, is in every thing a just and wise providence. Let us apply this whenever
the Lord may try us. He cannot do wrong. The unequalled sorrows of the Son of God when on
earth, unless looked at in this view, perplex the mind. But when we behold him, as the sinner's
Surety, bearing the curse, we can explain why he should endure that wrath which was due to sin,
that Divine justice might be satisfied, and his people saved.
Chapter 25
Bildad shows that man cannot be justified before God.