Job 24:1 (ESV)

“Why are not times of judgment kept by the Almighty,

and why do those who know him never see his days?

In chapter 24 Job continues to wrestle with the injustice of life. Those who are walking in sin, injustice, and selfishness seem to get away with it, while those who know God never see his blessing. Of course it is an overstatement. Not all of the wicked live in luxury. Not all of those who know God live in pain and want. But Job’s question is valid. Why do the wicked get away with their wickedness?

A primary idea in this chapter is Job’s description of wickedness. He gives very little time to what we would call wicked. Toward the end of the chapter he mentions thieves, murderers, and adulterers, but most of the chapter is given to societal injustice. The wealthy fail to care for the poor. For many believers in our culture that would be considered a second-tier sin. It is not as important as stealing, killing, and committing sexual sins. Those are the really big ones. Job sees issues of justice as primary. It is wrong for the wealthy to be comfortable while the poor starve and freeze. It is wrong for the powerful to use their positions of power to take advantage of the less powerful. White collar crime is given more attention than the crimes of the poor.

Job 24:2-3 (ESV)

Some move landmarks;

they seize flocks and pasture them.

They drive away the donkey of the fatherless;

they take the widow’s ox for a pledge.

These are descriptions of those with wealth and power taking advantage of the poor in order to increase their own wealth. This is wrong. This is not political for two reasons. First, this is not about developing new government programs. Government programs allow the wealthy to continue abusing their wealth and power while providing a program that makes them feel like they are helping. All they are really doing is creating dependence. Second, this is not political because both major political parties are populated by the wealthy. Many of them have gotten where they are by taking advantage of others. This is not political; this is basic ethics. This is about loving our neighbor. This is about demonstrating the grace and love of God to others. This is about remembering that we are all created in the image of God.

Our wealth is not for our consumption, but for our service. 2 Corinthians 9:11 says, “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way” (ESV). God’s blessing and provision are not for our own consumption, but in order to give us opportunities to demonstrate his own generosity. God’s overwhelming mercy caused him to love us when we were unlovable. It caused Jesus to die for us “while we were yet sinners” (Rom 5:8). That same overwhelming compassion ought to characterize his people. Yes, God hates sin. Yes, stealing, killing, and sexual sins are evil. But maybe we have so focused on those sins that we have missed a greater sin. We have lived lives of comfort and ease off the pain and suffering of others.

Job is desperately confused by the injustices of life. Why does God allow the wealthy and powerful to continue taking advantage of the poor and powerless? Job finds his answer in the brevity of life.

Job 24:24 (ESV)

They are exalted a little while, and then are gone;

they are brought low and gathered up like all others;

they are cut off like the heads of grain.

Not even the wealthy and powerful can escape death. Let’s be honest. We are the wealthy and powerful. As little as I make, I haven’t missed a meal. I have a dry home and a warm bed. Compared to much of the world, what I possess makes me extremely wealthy. I don’t need to feel guilty for my wealth, but I do need to make sure that I am using it for God’s glory and not just wantonly wasting it on my own personal comfort. It makes me wonder what life would look like if we lived with eternity in view instead of trying to get all our happiness here and now. This reminds me of the chorus by Alfred B. Smith. May that be my attitude today.

With eternity's values in view, Lord.
With eternity's values in view;
May I do each day's work for Jesus
With eternity's values in view.