He swallows wealth but vomits it out; God will force it from his stomach. He swallows wealthThis phrase paints a vivid picture of greed and the insatiable desire for material gain. The Hebrew word for "swallows" is "bala," which conveys the idea of consuming or devouring eagerly. In the context of Zophar's speech, it suggests a person who accumulates wealth with voracity, driven by a relentless pursuit of riches. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern view of wealth as a sign of divine favor, yet here it is portrayed negatively, as something consumed without regard for righteousness or justice. but vomits it out
The Hebrew word "qi" is used here for "vomits," indicating a forceful expulsion. This imagery suggests that the wealth, once eagerly consumed, becomes a source of distress and is ultimately rejected. Theologically, this can be seen as a divine intervention where ill-gotten gains cannot be retained. It serves as a warning that wealth obtained through unrighteous means will not bring lasting satisfaction or security, aligning with the biblical principle that true prosperity is found in righteousness and obedience to God. God will force it from his stomach
The phrase underscores the sovereignty and justice of God. The Hebrew word "garash" for "force" implies a driving out or expulsion, emphasizing that it is God who actively intervenes to ensure that justice is served. This reflects the biblical theme that God is not indifferent to human actions; He is actively involved in the moral order of the world. The stomach, often seen as the seat of appetite and desire, symbolizes the inner life of a person. Thus, the verse suggests that God will not allow unrighteousness to remain hidden or unpunished, reinforcing the belief in divine retribution and the ultimate futility of relying on wealth for security. Persons / Places / Events 1. Zophar the NaamathiteOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. Zophar is known for his harsh and direct speeches, often emphasizing God's justice and the consequences of wickedness. 2. JobThe central figure of the Book of Job, a man known for his righteousness and suffering. Job's account is a profound exploration of faith, suffering, and divine justice. 3. GodThe ultimate authority and judge in the account. God's role is central in the unfolding of Job's trials and the eventual restoration. 4. WealthIn this context, wealth symbolizes the material gains and prosperity that the wicked might acquire unjustly. 5. JusticeAn underlying theme in Zophar's speech, emphasizing the divine retribution that awaits those who gain wealth through unrighteous means. Teaching Points The Temporary Nature of Ill-Gotten WealthWealth acquired through unjust means is fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. God ensures that such wealth does not bring lasting joy or security. Divine Justice and AccountabilityGod holds individuals accountable for their actions, and there is a divine justice that ensures the wicked do not prosper indefinitely. Contentment and RighteousnessTrue contentment comes from living a life of righteousness and integrity, rather than pursuing wealth at any cost. The Consequences of GreedGreed leads to destructive outcomes, both spiritually and materially. It is important to guard one's heart against the love of money. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Zophar's perspective on wealth and justice reflect the broader themes of the Book of Job? 2. In what ways can the pursuit of wealth become a stumbling block in our spiritual lives, according to Job 20:15 and related scriptures? 3. How can we apply the principle of divine justice in our daily decision-making, especially in financial matters? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that our pursuit of material success aligns with biblical values? 5. How does understanding the temporary nature of ill-gotten wealth influence our perspective on contentment and generosity? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 13:11This verse speaks about wealth gained hastily diminishing, which aligns with the idea that ill-gotten gains do not last. Ecclesiastes 5:10Discusses the futility of loving money and how it never satisfies, similar to the temporary nature of wealth described in Job 20:15. 1 Timothy 6:10Warns about the love of money being the root of all kinds of evil, connecting to the consequences of pursuing wealth unrighteously. People Job, ZopharPlaces UzTopics Belly, Cast, Casts, Driveth, Expel, Forced, Riches, Sends, Stomach, Swallowed, Swallows, Takes, Vomit, Vomits, WealthDictionary of Bible Themes Job 20:12-15 5185 stomach Job 20:12-16 4500 poison Library June 9 Evening
The triumphing of the wicked is short.--JOB 20:5. Thou shalt bruise his heel.--This is your hour, and the power of darkness.--As the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.--Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily PathThe Christian Urged To, and Assisted In, an Express Act of Self-Dedication to the Service of God.
1. The advantages of such a surrender are briefly suggested.-- 2, 3, 4. Advice for the manner of doing it; that it be deliberate, cheerful, entire, perpetual.--5. And that it be expressed with some affecting solemnity.--6. A written instrument to be signed and declared before God, at some season of extraordinary devotion, reposed. The chapter concludes with a specimen of such an instrument, together with an abstract of it, to be used with proper and requisite alterations. 1. AS I would hope, that, …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Whether the Ashes from which the Human Body Will be Restored have any Natural Inclination Towards the Soul which Will be United to Them?
Objection 1: It would seem that the ashes from which the human body will be restored will have a natural inclination towards the soul which will be united to them. For if they had no inclination towards the soul, they would stand in the same relation to that soul as other ashes. Therefore it would make no difference whether the body that is to be united to that soul were restored from those ashes or from others: and this is false. Objection 2: Further, the body is more dependent on the soul than …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica God.
GLORY OF GOD. God is the chief good--good so as nothing is but himself. He is in himself most happy; yea, all good and all true happiness are only to be found in God, as that which is essential to his nature; nor is there any good or any happiness in or with any creature or thing but what is communicated to it by God. God is the only desirable good; nothing without him is worthy of our hearts. Right thoughts of God are able to ravish the heart; how much more happy is the man that has interest in …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan The Hardening Operation of Love.
"Being grieved for the hardness of their heart."--Mark iii. 5. Love may also be reversed. Failing to cherish, to uplift, and to enrich, it consumes and destroys. This is a mystery which man can not fathom. It belongs to the unsearchable depths of the divine Being, of which we do not wish to know more than has been revealed. But this does not alter the fact. No creature can exclude itself from the divine control. No man can say that he has nothing to do with God; that he or any other creature exists …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times The Barren Fig-Tree;
OR, THE DOOM AND DOWNFALL OF THE FRUITLESS PROFESSOR: SHOWING, THAT THE DAY OF GRACE MAY BE PAST WITH HIM LONG BEFORE HIS LIFE IS ENDED; THE SIGNS ALSO BY WHICH SUCH MISERABLE MORTALS MAY BE KNOWN. BY JOHN BUNYAN 'Who being dead, yet speaketh.'--Hebrews 11:4 London: Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1688. This Title has a broad Black Border. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn, searching, awful treatise, was published by Bunyan in 1682; but does not appear …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 An Exhortation to Love God
1. An exhortation. Let me earnestly persuade all who bear the name of Christians to become lovers of God. "O love the Lord, all ye his saints" (Psalm xxxi. 23). There are but few that love God: many give Him hypocritical kisses, but few love Him. It is not so easy to love God as most imagine. The affection of love is natural, but the grace is not. Men are by nature haters of God (Rom. i. 30). The wicked would flee from God; they would neither be under His rules, nor within His reach. They fear God, …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Man's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Job 20:15 NIVJob 20:15 NLTJob 20:15 ESVJob 20:15 NASBJob 20:15 KJV
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