In Job chapter 20 verses 1-11, Zophar warned Job that being impatient in speaking could lead to insults from people. In other words, be slow to speak, just as James said. Zophar said the wicked will only enjoy life for a short time. No matter how high they rise to the top, they will fall and perish. This implies that the higher you climb, the harder you will fall. Then people would wonder where they had disappeared to when they were not to be found. Like a dream, it would fade away and no longer exist. Their children would have to return what they had taken from others. They would fall to the earth no matter how strong they could be.

Zophar believed that despite the challenges we face from the wicked, they will ultimately perish. So, we should trust in God and believe God is at work. People prefer to trust and rely on their wisdom instead of trusting that the sovereign God is in control. It is not human beings, human laws, or human wisdom taking charge, but God is, even if we cannot see it.

In verses 12-19, Zophar argued that while evil seems attractive and enjoyable, it will ultimately bring pain to those who indulge in it. It is like dying a slow death when one is drinking poison. It slowly kills you. But even if it does not kill you, it will make you sick. Those who harm the poor will not find peace because they are always looking over their shoulder in fear of those they have robbed, that they will come after them for revenge and harm them.

Evil is very tempting. It is desirable and appealing, but it can lead to destruction for those who engage in it. Therefore, we should be careful not to be misled or tempted into doing evil things, or we will have to face the consequences for our actions. In verses 20-29, Zophar explained that an evil person is never satisfied. They would lose everything they had gained. They must be wary of those they have wronged, as they will seek revenge on them. Even God will punish them in His wrath when He judges them. They may escape once, but not the second time. The evil they had done cannot be hidden, but they will be exposed. They would be consumed by the earth when judged by the Lord. Their possessions will be taken away. This is the fate of the wicked.

The evil person is never content. They will not always get away. But they will be punished and judged. God will hold them accountable for their actions. Those who do evil will face the consequences, especially from those they have harmed and God. This is why the wicked live in fear and not in peace.

Therefore, we must do good, not evil. The Bible advises us to do so because doing good brings favor from God and others. But doing evil leads to fear and unrest. God will also judge the evildoers. Those who are harmed will seek retribution from us. Therefore, it is wiser to do good than evil.

Prayer: Lord, help me to do good and avoid evil. Protect us from being tempted by worldly desires. May our actions build us and others up, O Lord, I pray.