NOTES for Job 21:1-34
Distressed by his friends' lack of understanding, Job finally responds to the substance of their speeches in chapter 21. The theological theory that the wicked are invariably punished for their sin through suffering was widely known in the post-exilic period when the Book of Job was written. It can hardly be called universally accepted, since it is too far removed from reality. Rather, it arose in the minds of ‘the wise of Israel’ as a particular interpretation of the law of Sinai, which required the community of Israel itself to punish anyone who violated God's commandments. Moreover, Israel's history in the first half of the first millennium BC supplied many arguments in favour of this theory.
Yet Job's friends, like many religious thinkers of that age—and of other ages too—take an overly simplified view of life. The author therefore places the crucial question in Job's mouth: ‘Why do the lawless live on, reach old age and remain strong?’ With no less detail and poetry than his friends used to describe the destruction of the lawless, Job speaks of their actual prosperity. Strictly speaking, one cannot say that only Job or only his friends are right: all sorts of things happen in life. Sometimes the evil in a person's heart really does lead them to destruction; in any case, it always kills within them the genuine life worthy of eternity. Yet, just as often, notorious villains, as Job says, live comfortably into old age without feeling any spiritual discomfort.
The principle of just recompense, Job observes, is far from always at work. Russian laws operate in this way, but a universal principle of the universe does not. Other biblical authors, particularly the prophet Habakkuk and Ecclesiastes, share Job's sad observation. Perhaps, Job asks, God really does reserve his wrath for the evildoer's descendants, as the Decalogue puts it? But this makes no sense, for it puts nothing right in life. Besides, through the prophet Ezekiel God has explicitly said that each person answers before him for their own sins, and only their own.
Job foresees his friends' reply: the works of the wicked are insubstantial and will vanish like smoke. But, Job says, this makes no difference to the person doing evil. Moreover, Ecclesiastes will later write, the same fate awaits all the works of the righteous.
On this basis, Job concludes that there is no truth in his friends' words. Within the drama, this implies that Job is justified in seeking answers to his questions from God, who alone can answer them. But for the time being, God remains silent...