Job 20:4-5

(Job 20:4-5 ESV) Do you not know this from of old, since man was placed on earth, that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment?

In the Book of Job, his three friends speak to explain and debate Job's sufferings, that being Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. In Chapter 20, it is Zophar the Naamathite speaking. He first speaks in Chapter 11, but he does not speak in the third round.

Zophar feels that Job has insulted him and insists he has wise thoughts to share in that since Adam and Eve were first placed on this earth at the time of creation, the joy of the wicked is short and just for a moment. Yep, that must be how the world works! The happiness of the godless people is only for a moment! The world is built on well-known principles, and happiness and success are temporary, very brief, and do not last. What?!! There is no lasting joy? Really? Seriously? I am glad I live in the New Testament times and know that there is a lasting joy.

I am sitting here reflecting on how sometimes people who take advantage of other people seem to have it good for a very long time, getting away with it, and never being caught. There are those slick people who seem to know how to work the system! Life seems SO unfair sometimes! Oh, Zophar! Your logical principles are a failure! You are looking at a single tree rather than the forest of eternity.

The joy referenced in this verse feels like earthly joy to me, and not the joy that we have for eternity with Jesus.

I consider how time is referenced in the Bible as being different for God than it feels for man.  2 Peter 3:8 "But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." A "moment" to God could be a lifetime to man. With this perspective from the width of eternity, the joy of the wicked is short.

The joy of the wicked is like a soap bubble. It is big and oh-so shiny, but gone quickly before my eyes in a snap surprise.

Joy Challenge #31; August 5, 2026