Job 21:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Certainly, God continues to bestow His grace upon the unrighteous, demonstrating that He harbors no animosity towards them, so they might not claim, “God despises us, thus He will never grant us the way to repentance.” Meanwhile, although He may discipline the upright firmly and rigorously, His affection is extended to transgressors. The rewards that the virtuous lament not receiving in this life are merely future acknowledgments of the righteous deeds they have performed.

Many individuals reject the call to compassion and kindness, believing that the Lord is indifferent to human matters and unaware of our hidden deeds and innermost thoughts. They perceive His judgment as entirely unjust, as they witness sinners indulging in wealth, delighting in accolades, enjoying health, and thriving in their lineage (see Psalm 72:5, 10-12). In contrast, the righteous endure poverty, are denied honor, remain childless, suffer from illnesses, and dwell in unending sorrow and affliction. The entirety of chapter 12 focuses on the righteous Job, reflecting themes found in another work by St. Ambrose, ‘On the Complaint of Job and David’ (circa 387-389).

Verse 8. Their offspring remains before them, as stated in Job 21:8. However, witness the increase of their joy, accompanied by great wealth, as they are also blessed with heirs. To ensure that no unfortunate event could take away those in whom their hearts delight, it is said of these heirs, Their offspring is before them. But what occurs if they are granted children only to find that these children suffer from barrenness? The lineage falters within them, and the risk looms that the family may face extinction, just as it could have due to the parents' own barrenness. The passage continues, And a multitude of relatives and grandchildren are present before them, as noted in Job 21:8. Indeed, they possess life, honor, and riches; they have children and grandchildren. Yet, what happens if secret thoughts fill their minds with bitterness, and internal conflict erodes the joy of their stability? What significance does worldly prosperity hold if it does not bring happiness? Yet, the narrative proceeds:

I will earnestly share and briefly reflect on the suffering that awaits me, as the anguish tormenting my physical being is beyond verbal expression. Why do the unrighteous continue to thrive and advance in age while accumulating wealth? Their fields flourish, they take delight in their offspring, they are affluent and face no fears, nor do they experience any chastisement from the Lord. Their livestock produce healthy offspring; their wives do not suffer from loss during childbirth. They live their lives carefree, akin to livestock, embracing joy without concern.

Job no longer seeks solace from his companions; instead, he desires their silence as he expresses his grievances regarding his afflictions until he has said all he needs to (21: 1-6). Their efforts to highlight instances of the wicked facing retribution after brief moments of joy are futile; there are far more cases of the wicked thriving and passing away contentedly (7-13). They deny Divine Providence (14-15); the abruptness of death does not instill fear in them (16-18), nor are they troubled by the unfortunate destinies of their descendants (19-21). Who can instruct God on how happiness and suffering should be distributed among humanity (22)? Both the unrighteous and the just meet the same end in God’s sight (23-26).