Job 20:28

Job 20:28 KJV is part of Zophar the Naamathite's second speech, where he continues to assert that the wicked will inevitably face severe consequences and lose all their material possessions. This verse specifically highlights the fleeting nature of wealth acquired through unrighteous means, emphasizing its impermanence in the face of divine judgment.

Context

This verse is found within Zophar's impassioned argument against Job, who maintained his innocence despite his immense suffering. Zophar, like Job's other friends Eliphaz and Bildad, operates under the traditional wisdom theology of his day: that God directly rewards the righteous with prosperity and punishes the wicked with calamity. In this speech, Zophar paints a vivid picture of the wicked person's downfall, insisting that their temporary success will ultimately lead to utter ruin. His words, though containing elements of truth about God's justice, are misapplied to Job's situation, as Job's suffering was not a direct result of his sin.

Key Themes

• Divine Retribution: Zophar firmly believes that God’s justice ensures the wicked will not retain their gains. The "increase of his house" and "his goods" are destined for destruction. This reflects a common ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine judgment for moral transgressions, where unrighteousness leads to a loss of prosperity.
• Transience of Ill-Gotten Wealth: The phrase "shall flow away" vividly portrays the sudden and complete disappearance of wealth, suggesting it cannot withstand the test of divine scrutiny. This contrasts sharply with the enduring nature of righteousness and true spiritual prosperity.
• The Day of His Wrath: This refers to a time of divine judgment or intense displeasure. It emphasizes that the downfall is not accidental but a deliberate act of God's righteous anger against injustice. Similar themes appear in other prophetic books, such as Zephaniah 1:18.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "flow away" (יֶהְלֹךְ, yeh'lokh, from the root הָלַךְ, halakh, 'to go' or 'to walk') here carries the strong sense of going away, departing, or being swept away, often implying complete disappearance or dissipation. Coupled with "increase" (יְבוּל, yevul, meaning 'produce' or 'yield') and "goods" (חֵילוֹ, kheilo, meaning 'strength' or 'wealth'), it paints a picture of total loss of accumulated prosperity. The phrase "in the day of his wrath" (בְּיוֹם אַפּוֹ, b'yom appo) signifies God's intense anger, where appo literally refers to the 'nose' or 'nostril', used metaphorically for intense fury or divine displeasure.

Practical Application

While Zophar's application to Job was flawed and did not account for righteous suffering, the underlying principle that ill-gotten gains are fleeting and that God will ultimately judge injustice remains a biblical truth. This verse serves as a reminder not to envy the temporary success of the wicked (as seen in Psalm 73:3) or to build one's life on transient material possessions. Instead, it encourages believers to pursue righteousness and trust in God's perfect timing for justice. True security is found not in accumulated wealth, but in a right relationship with God, as the ultimate treasures are laid up in heaven, beyond the reach of earthly decay or divine wrath.