Job 20:20-21 (ESV Strong's)
20 “Because he knew no contentment in his belly,
he will not let anything in which he delights escape him.
21 There was nothing left after he had eaten;
therefore his prosperity will not endure.
They Don’t Deny Themselves Anything
The above words are taken from the second speech of Job’s friend,, Zophar. He is trying to convince Job that the reason for his many challenges and sufferings is that the wicked always end up suffering. Therefore, Zophar reasons, since Job is suffering, he must be wicked. Of course, we know that Zophar’s truth is only half truth and it is completely applied in a wrong way to Job’s situation. Job is declared righteous by God in chapters one and two of this book and, in the next chapter (21) Job helps Zophar remember that there are MANY wicked who live very prosperous lives on this earth. So, Zophar is wrong on application and conclusion, but he has struck some truth in the above verses. In the above passage he states that the wicked are never content and they attempt to fill their lack of contentment by delighting themselves in anything that strikes their fancy. In fact, they “eat” everything they can to try to fill the whole in their heart. They “eat” so much, there is nothing left to consume. Yet, they are still lacking contentment. Notice how Solomon, in the book of Ecclesiastes says the same thing:
(ESV Strong's) Ecclesiastes 5:13
There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.
Solomon goes on to say:
(ESV Strong's) 5:18-20
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
Only God can give “enjoyment” to the things we posses. It is NOT wrong to possess things and/or enjoy them. It IS wrong to put those things before our relationship with God, which is Solomon’s conclusion at the end of his book. Zophar was correct in saying that the wicked tend to devour whatever they want, in order to satisfy the longing in their heart. They pursue it so hard there is nothing left for others. This is why our society is called a “consumer” society. We consume anything in our path. Job understands this, but only objects that he sees many who consume simply going on to consume more and more. The wicked to not always suffer on this earth (chapter 21). But, they do fill their hearts with the wrong things and when they die, their wealth dies with them. Job would teach us that the suffering we might have as believers will have an eternal hope in the end (Job 23:10).D
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