Job 20

Zophar the Naamathite begins his second discourse, asserting that the prosperity of the wicked is fleeting and their joy momentary. He declares that despite their apparent success, they will perish, their ill-gotten gains will be vomited forth, and their wickedness will turn to bitter poison. Ultimately, God's wrath will consume them, revealing their iniquity and ensuring their destruction as their appointed heritage.

Zophar the Naamathite responds to Job, expressing his urgent need to refute Job's words. He begins by stating an ancient truth: the triumph of the wicked is brief, and their joy is but for a moment, regardless of their perceived greatness. He prophesies that they will vanish without a trace, their children will be impoverished, and their ill-gotten wealth will be forcefully restored. Zophar emphasizes that though wickedness may seem appealing, it will ultimately turn to bitter poison within them, causing them to vomit up their swallowed riches. He describes how the wicked, who oppressed the poor and took what was not theirs, will experience no peace or satisfaction. Instead, God's wrath will strike them, consuming their possessions and bringing about their complete destruction, a just portion from the Almighty.

Zophar the Naamathite initiates his second speech, driven by a strong impulse to respond to Job's previous statements and perceived reproaches. He immediately establishes a foundational principle, asserting that it has been known since ancient times that the prosperity and triumph of the wicked are exceedingly brief, their joy lasting only for a fleeting moment. Zophar elaborates, stating that even if their influence and power ascend to the heavens, they will ultimately perish completely, vanishing like a dream or a night vision, leaving no physical trace behind. He predicts that their descendants will be forced to seek favor from the poor, and the wicked themselves will be compelled to restore their ill-gotten gains. Zophar vividly describes how, despite the initial sweetness of wickedness, it will transform into a deadly internal poison, like the gall of asps, within their very being. He proclaims that the riches they greedily consumed will be violently expelled by God, and they will never enjoy the abundance they coveted. The reason for this severe judgment, Zophar explains, is their oppression of the poor and their violent seizure of property they did not build. Consequently, they will experience no inner peace or satisfaction, and their desired possessions will be utterly consumed. Zophar further details the divine retribution, stating that even in their moments of presumed security and sufficiency, God's wrath will descend upon them, striking them down with swift and inescapable judgment. They will attempt to flee but will be pierced by divine weapons, and terrors will overwhelm them. Ultimately, darkness and an unquenchable fire will consume them, and their iniquity will be revealed by both heaven and earth. Their household's increase will vanish, and their goods will be swept away in the day of God's wrath, confirming this as the inescapable portion and heritage appointed by God for the wicked.