This is one of the shortest responses from Job where he describes how wicked people succeed and prosper. He believes if he can convince his friends why the wicked prosper for a long time, even up to death, then he will be able to make his point. If he can do that, then his friends would have other ideas as to why Job is suffering.
Job asks them to listen carefully to what he is about to say, Job 21:1-2. This implies that they haven’t really listened to anything he has said up to this point or not taken what he has said seriously. He asks them to mock him, Job 21:3, only after he has said everything he is about to say. Although Job would prefer to speak to God, Job 16:20, he wants them to be quiet and give a serious reflection on his points.
As Job gets into his argument, he knows that his friends have maintained that sin produces suffering and suffering is proof of sin, Job 21:4-6. If Job can show that those who openly and blatantly sin are not punished, then their argument can’t stand.
Dummelow, in his commentary says the following, concerning Job 21:6.
‘Job trembles at the thought of the bold arraignment of God’s government which he is about to make, or possibly at the remembrance of how unrighteous that government seems to him.’
Earlier, Zophar argued that the wicked die prematurely, Job 20:11, but Job here, says that the opposite is true. He says they not only live on, but they also grow in strength, Job 21:7.
Earlier, Bildad argued that the wicked die without children, Job 18:19, but here, Job contradicts this, demonstrating how the wicked have large and prosperous families just like anyone else, Job 21:8.
Earlier, Eliphaz spoke about what happens to the house, or tent of the wicked, saying that it is not going to stand, Job 5:24, here, Job says the direct opposite, and he demonstrates that security also belongs to the wicked, Job 21:9 / Job 12:6.
Notice all the positive things which happen to the wicked.
1. The wicked have prosperous flocks, Job 21:10.
2. The wicked have happy, playful children, Job 21:11-12.
3. The wicked have wealth, even until death, Job 21:13.
Job also argues that positive things happen even though the wicked act arrogantly against God, Job 21:14. If the poor pray for profit, Job 21:15, and yet remain poor, then we assume that God didn’t answer their prayer. When the rich prosper but don’t pray, Job 21:16, then we must assume that God isn’t blessing them. Notice how Job uses the word, ‘wicked’ throughout his response, Job 21:16-17 / Job 21:7 / Job 21:28 / Job 21:30.
Job now asks a series of questions, designed to get his friends to come up with answers. His friends have been arguing that the wicked always suffer but Job asks them, how often have you seen this happen? Job 21:17-18. His friends have been suggesting if the wicked person doesn’t suffer for their sins, then his children will suffer, Job 5:4 / Job 20:10, but Job says that God would be unjust if He inflicted the children with the father’s sins, Job 21:19-20 / Exodus 20:5 / Jeremiah 31:29-30.
Dummelow, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The friends may argue that retribution may, at all events, fall upon the wicked man’s children. To which Job replies that the sinner ought to suffer personally. Possibly, however, we should read in the first line, ‘Let him not layup iniquity for his children.’
Furthermore, what does a sinner care about what is to take place after he dies? Job 21:21 / 2 Kings 20:18-19. The wicked care little for those who come after him and so, punishment of the children of the wicked will have little consequence in reference to punishing the wicked, Job 21:21.
Job argues that instead of being unjust in His treatment of the wicked and their children, God knows exactly what He is doing when it comes to dealing with man, Job 21:22-25. God will do what is right, Genesis 18:25, and He will correctly deal with the sinner, Ezekiel 18:20.
Job finishes this part of his argument by saying that no one can predict who will prosper and who will not. Death seizes both the wicked and the righteous without caring who was what, Job 21:26.
Job is a perfect example of someone who knows how to debate, that is, someone who knows other people’s arguments better than they do themselves, Job 21:27. He’s listened to his friend’s arguments, Job 18:14-18 / Job 20:26-28, they’ve all asked, ‘where is the house of the great, the tents where the wicked lived? Job 21:28. Bildad, Job 8:22 / Job 18:4, Eliphaz, Job 5:24, and Zophar, Job 20:26. They believe that the wicked suffer by losing their homes, after all, Job has lost his home, and so, by default, Job is wicked, James 4:12.
Job finishes his response by asking, ‘have you never questioned those who travel? Job 21:29. In other words, how much they have learned. He says, if they had asked them, they would have told them the opposite of what they believed Job 21:30-31. These travellers had seen wicked men go to the grave in peace and be buried with great ceremony, Job 21:32-33. Job answered all their arguments because he had directed his answers to their conclusions, which were erroneous, Job 21:34.
Coffman, in his commentary, paraphrases these verses as follows.
‘How could you say a thing like that? Ask anyone who has travelled, and knows the way of the world, what happens to an evil ruler. The evil flatterers that surround him would not dare accuse him of any wrongdoing and when he dies, his body will be ceremoniously carried to a magnificent tomb, a monument will be erected, and an honour guard will stand by the grave!’