◄ Job 22:19 ►
The righteous see it and are glad; the innocent mock them:
Study Bible
The righteous see it and are glad;
This phrase suggests a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. In the context of Job, the "it" refers to the downfall or judgment of the wicked. The righteous, those who live in accordance with God's laws, find joy in witnessing divine justice. This reflects a common biblical theme where the triumph of righteousness over wickedness brings joy to the faithful (Psalm 58:10-11). The joy of the righteous is not rooted in malice but in the affirmation of God's justice and sovereignty. Historically, this aligns with the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine retribution, where the gods were expected to uphold justice.

the innocent mock them:
The "innocent" here refers to those who are blameless or free from guilt. Their mocking of the wicked can be seen as a form of poetic justice, where those who have suffered under the oppression of the wicked now have the opportunity to scorn them. This is reminiscent of Proverbs 3:34, which states that God mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. The cultural context of the time often involved public shaming as a form of social justice, where the downfall of the wicked served as a warning to others. This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate victory of good over evil, a theme that is fulfilled in the New Testament through the victory of Christ over sin and death.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning the reasons behind it.

2. Eliphaz the Temanite
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Eliphaz is speaking, offering his perspective on Job's suffering and the fate of the wicked.

3. The Righteous
Those who live in accordance with God's will and are contrasted with the wicked. In this verse, they are depicted as rejoicing over the downfall of the wicked.

4. The Innocent
Those who are free from guilt or sin. They are described as mocking the wicked, highlighting a sense of vindication.

5. The Wicked
Those who live in opposition to God's commands. Their downfall is a central theme in this passage, serving as a warning and a point of reflection.
Teaching Points
The Joy of the Righteous
The righteous find joy not in the suffering of others, but in the justice and righteousness of God being upheld. This joy is rooted in a deep trust in God's ultimate plan and justice.

Vindication of the Innocent
The innocent may mock the downfall of the wicked, not out of spite, but as a recognition of God's justice. This serves as a reminder that God sees and knows all, and His justice will prevail.

The Consequences of Wickedness
The downfall of the wicked serves as a warning to all. It is a call to examine one's life and align with God's will, understanding that actions have consequences.

Trust in God's Justice
Believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing and justice, even when it seems delayed. God's justice is perfect and will be revealed in His time.

Community and Accountability
The response of the righteous and innocent highlights the importance of community in holding each other accountable and encouraging one another in righteousness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the joy of the righteous in Job 22:19 reflect their trust in God's justice, and how can we cultivate a similar trust in our lives?

2. In what ways can the downfall of the wicked serve as a warning and a lesson for us today?

3. How do the themes in Job 22:19 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, particularly regarding persecution and righteousness?

4. What role does community play in encouraging righteousness and holding each other accountable, as seen in the response of the righteous and innocent?

5. How can we balance the joy in God's justice with compassion for those who are lost or wicked, seeking to bring them to repentance?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 37
This Psalm discusses the fate of the wicked and the righteous, emphasizing that the wicked will perish while the righteous will inherit the land and enjoy peace.

Proverbs 11:10
This verse speaks about the city rejoicing when the righteous prosper and the wicked perish, echoing the sentiments found in Job 22:19.

Matthew 5:12
Jesus speaks about rejoicing and being glad when persecuted for righteousness, as the reward in heaven is great, connecting to the theme of the righteous finding joy despite adversity.
Sermons
Censorious and Uncharitable ReasoningE. Johnson Job 22:1-30
The History of WickednessHomilistJob 22:15-20
The Old Way of the WickedSpurgeon, Charles HaddonJob 22:15-20
The Way of the Wicked DescribedE. Cooper.Job 22:15-20
The Way Which Wicked Men have TroddenE. Payson, D. D.Job 22:15-20
People
Eliphaz, Job, Ophir
Places
Ophir, Uz
Topics
Deride, Glad, Innocent, Laugh, Mock, Mocketh, Rejoice, Ridicule, Righteous, Ruin, Saying, Scorn, Sport, Upright, Wrong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 22:17-20

     8782   mockery

Library
December 29 Morning
Understanding what the will of the Lord is.--EPH. 5:17. This is the will of God, even your sanctification.--Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.--This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.--We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Knowledge and Peace
'Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.'--JOB xxii. 21. In the sense in which the speaker meant them, these words are not true. They mean little more than 'It pays to be religious.' What kind of notion of acquaintance with God Eliphaz may have had, one scarcely knows, but at any rate, the whole meaning of the text on his lips is poor and selfish. The peace promised is evidently only outward tranquillity and freedom from trouble, and the good that is to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

What Life May be Made
'For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. 27. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. 28. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. 29. When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, ... lifting up; and He shall save the humble person.'--JOB xxii. 26-29. These words are a fragment of one of the speeches of Job's friends, in which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Whether all Things are under Divine Providence
Whether All Things are under Divine Providence We proceed to the second article thus: 1. It seems that not all things are under divine providence. For nothing that is ordained happens contingently, and if all things were provided by God, nothing would happen contingently. There would then be no such thing as chance or fortune. But this is contrary to common opinion. 2. Again, every wise provider, so far as he is able, preserves those in his care from defect and from evil. But we see many evils in …
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether God is Everywhere by Essence, Presence and Power?
Objection 1: It seems that the mode of God's existence in all things is not properly described by way of essence, presence and power. For what is by essence in anything, is in it essentially. But God is not essentially in things; for He does not belong to the essence of anything. Therefore it ought not to be said that God is in things by essence, presence and power. Objection 2: Further, to be present in anything means not to be absent from it. Now this is the meaning of God being in things by His …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Everything is Subject to the Providence of God?
Objection 1: It seems that everything is not subject to divine providence. For nothing foreseen can happen by chance. If then everything was foreseen by God, nothing would happen by chance. And thus hazard and luck would disappear; which is against common opinion. Objection 2: Further, a wise provider excludes any defect or evil, as far as he can, from those over whom he has a care. But we see many evils existing. Either, then, God cannot hinder these, and thus is not omnipotent; or else He does …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Doctrine of God
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: (Vs. Atheism). 1. ASSUMED BY THE SCRIPTURES. 2. PROOFS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. a) Universal belief in the Existence of God. b) Cosmological:--Argument from Cause. c) Teleological:--Argument from Design. d) Ontological:--Argument from Being. e) Anthropological:--Moral Argument. f) Argument from Congruity. g) Argument from Scripture. II. THE NATURE OF GOD: (Vs. Agnosticism) 1. THE SPIRITUALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Materialism). 2. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Pantheism). 3. THE UNITY …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

The Case of the Christian under the Hiding of God's Face.
1. The phrase scriptural.--2. It signifies the withdrawing the tokens of the divine favor.--3 chiefly as to spiritual considerations.--4. This may become the case of any Christian.--5. and will be found a very sorrowful one.--6. The following directions, therefore, are given to those who suppose it to be their own: To inquire whether it be indeed a case of spiritual distress, or whether a disconsolate frame may not proceed from indisposition of body,--7. or difficulties as to worldly circumstances.--8, …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Bands of Love; Or, Union to Christ. "I Drew them with Cords of a Man, with Bands of Love: and I was to them as they that Take Off the Yoke on their Jaws, and I Laid Meat unto Them. " --Hosea xi. 4.
BANDS OF LOVE; OR, UNION TO CHRIST. SYSTEMATIC theologians have usually regarded union to Christ under three aspects, natural, mystical and federal, and it may be that these three terms are comprehensive enough to embrace the whole subject, but as our aim is simplicity, let us be pardoned if we appear diffuse when we follow a less concise method. 1. The saints were from the beginning joined to Christ by bands of everlasting love. Before He took on Him their nature, or brought them into a conscious …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to Christians to be Holy. By John Bunyan.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.'--[Psalm 93:5] London, by B. W., for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, in the Poultrey. 1684. THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice. It is an invaluable guide to those sincere Christians, who, under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul, and of the deceitfulness of their hearts, sigh and cry, "O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
To declare emphatically that the people of God are a covenant people, various signs were in sovereignty vouchsafed. The lights in the firmament of heaven were appointed to be for signs, affording direction to the mariner, the husbandman, and others. Miracles wrought on memorable occasions, were constituted signs or tokens of God's universal government. The gracious grant of covenant signs was made in order to proclaim the truth of the existence of God's covenant with his people, to urge the performance …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Epistle xxxix. To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria.
To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria. Gregory to Eulogius, &c. As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country (Prov. xxv. 25). But what can be good news to me, so far as concerns the behoof of holy Church, but to hear of the health and safety of your to me most sweet Holiness, who, from your perception of the light of truth, both illuminate the same Church with the word of preaching, and mould it to a better way by the example of your manners? As often, too, as I recall in …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

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

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