Post by Emmanuel A. O. on Apr 30, 2013 9:11:08 GMT 1
A Flash in the Pan Text: job 20:1-29
“Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, [5] That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?” (Job 20:4,5)
King Herod Agrippa was described as great: great in war and in wickedness. Desirous of winning favour with the religious Jews in his domain who had mounted serious persecution against Christians, he had ordered the killing of James. Seeing that this pleased the Jews, he decided to kill Peter as well. But by divine intervention, Peter was saved. Even he proceeded to kill all the prison keepers, who could not account for Peter’s disappearance. Not long after, he made an oration before an audience who hailed his voice as that of a god. Not willing, in his wickedness and pride, to give the glory to God, he was smitten by an angel, he died and was eaten up by worms. The time of the wicked is short.
Our text deals with a rather complex situation in which Zophar one of the friends of Job, had falsely assumed that evil had been determined upon Job, because he was not what he gave out himself to be. Yet his declarations about evil doers are eternal words of divine inspiration. The sinner at first finds sin enjoyable and attractive, making temporary gains from stealing, lying and other forms of evil. He may probably live long to enjoy the gains of oppression but “though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged... it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God” (Ecclesiastes 8:12,13).
As we go through this passage, one lesson stands out clearly before us: the prosperity of the wicked is short, his doom is sure. Why then do men run after that which does not ensure lasting peace and happiness? It is because sin blinds the eyes and blocks the ears. Jesus admonishes: “labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life…” (John 6:27). It is not good wisdom to pursue after that which provides fleeting joy at the most only to spend eternity in sorrow, torment and everlasting separation from God.
Heed the admonition of the Psalmist: “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet, he passed away, and lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found” (Psalm 37:35,36) what a sad end! You can change your destiny this moment: consider your ways, repent of your sin and live a Christ like lifestyle.
Thought for the day:
God is angry with the wicked every day.
“Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, [5] That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?” (Job 20:4,5)
King Herod Agrippa was described as great: great in war and in wickedness. Desirous of winning favour with the religious Jews in his domain who had mounted serious persecution against Christians, he had ordered the killing of James. Seeing that this pleased the Jews, he decided to kill Peter as well. But by divine intervention, Peter was saved. Even he proceeded to kill all the prison keepers, who could not account for Peter’s disappearance. Not long after, he made an oration before an audience who hailed his voice as that of a god. Not willing, in his wickedness and pride, to give the glory to God, he was smitten by an angel, he died and was eaten up by worms. The time of the wicked is short.
Our text deals with a rather complex situation in which Zophar one of the friends of Job, had falsely assumed that evil had been determined upon Job, because he was not what he gave out himself to be. Yet his declarations about evil doers are eternal words of divine inspiration. The sinner at first finds sin enjoyable and attractive, making temporary gains from stealing, lying and other forms of evil. He may probably live long to enjoy the gains of oppression but “though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged... it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God” (Ecclesiastes 8:12,13).
As we go through this passage, one lesson stands out clearly before us: the prosperity of the wicked is short, his doom is sure. Why then do men run after that which does not ensure lasting peace and happiness? It is because sin blinds the eyes and blocks the ears. Jesus admonishes: “labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life…” (John 6:27). It is not good wisdom to pursue after that which provides fleeting joy at the most only to spend eternity in sorrow, torment and everlasting separation from God.
Heed the admonition of the Psalmist: “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet, he passed away, and lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found” (Psalm 37:35,36) what a sad end! You can change your destiny this moment: consider your ways, repent of your sin and live a Christ like lifestyle.
Thought for the day:
God is angry with the wicked every day.