God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
Job 21:19 belongs to Job's answer to Zophar in the dispute about why people suffer. It stands where Job confronts the claim that present suffering proves present guilt, and it teaches that the wicked prosper in this present life while their punishment comes in the future. Job's friends stated a principle that is generally true, that evil is ultimately punished, but they misapplied it to Job.
The verse teaches that the wicked may prosper for a time, and such prosperity is not evidence of God's favor. Their iniquity is laid up, stored for future punishment and judgment. Then he is rewarded, and he shall know it, seeing his own destruction. God's law is the rule of that judgment, for which the wicked are reserved unto the day of wrath.
Suffering therefore does not prove that God is displeased with the sufferer, nor does it give reason for discouragement. It can be the Lord's loving chastening. Received in trust, it can serve His glory and the sufferer's good.
Job 21:19 belongs to Job's answer to Zophar in the dispute about why people suffer. It stands where Job confronts the claim that present suffering proves present guilt, and it teaches that the wicked prosper in this present life while their punishment comes in the future. Job's friends stated a principle that is generally true, that evil is ultimately punished, but they misapplied it to Job.
The verse teaches that the wicked may prosper for a time, and such prosperity is not evidence of God's favor. Their iniquity is laid up, stored for future punishment and judgment. Then he is rewarded, and he shall know it, seeing his own destruction. God's law is the rule of that judgment, for which the wicked are reserved unto the day of wrath.
Suffering therefore does not prove that God is displeased with the sufferer, nor does it give reason for discouragement. It can be the Lord's loving chastening. Received in trust, it can serve His glory and the sufferer's good.