All earthly rewards are ultimately temporary, and no false security can withstand the righteous rule of God.
“They are insignificant on the surface of the water; Their portion is cursed on the earth. They do not turn toward the vineyards.” (v.18) In this verse, Job describes the fate of the wicked, using a vivid picture to show that their existence is transitory. Just like foam or debris that floats briefly before vanishing, they are insignificant on the surface of the water and will soon be swept away, leaving no enduring mark. By stating their portion is cursed on the earth, Job highlights how their share of worldly blessings ultimately evaporates, hinting that God’s justice will not allow their ill-gotten prosperity to remain. The reference to they do not turn toward the vineyards suggests that the wicked forfeit the fruit of the land—a metaphor often used in Scripture to represent abundance and joy—indicating they end up missing out on the rich blessings life could offer.
This verse echoes the broader purpose of the Book of Job: to wrestle with the tension between suffering and God’s justice. Although Job himself was righteous, his speeches occasionally reflect his observations of how evil people seem to escape accountability. Here, he proclaims that any apparent advantage they hold is actually fleeting and doomed. In the broader narrative context, Job’s words offer assurance that even if the wicked seem prospering for a season, their final outcome lies in God’s sovereign and fair judgment (compare Psalm 73:17 where the psalmist also discerns the end of the wicked).
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Job 24:18 meaning
“They are insignificant on the surface of the water; Their portion is cursed on the earth. They do not turn toward the vineyards.” (v.18) In this verse, Job describes the fate of the wicked, using a vivid picture to show that their existence is transitory. Just like foam or debris that floats briefly before vanishing, they are insignificant on the surface of the water and will soon be swept away, leaving no enduring mark. By stating their portion is cursed on the earth, Job highlights how their share of worldly blessings ultimately evaporates, hinting that God’s justice will not allow their ill-gotten prosperity to remain. The reference to they do not turn toward the vineyards suggests that the wicked forfeit the fruit of the land—a metaphor often used in Scripture to represent abundance and joy—indicating they end up missing out on the rich blessings life could offer.
This verse echoes the broader purpose of the Book of Job: to wrestle with the tension between suffering and God’s justice. Although Job himself was righteous, his speeches occasionally reflect his observations of how evil people seem to escape accountability. Here, he proclaims that any apparent advantage they hold is actually fleeting and doomed. In the broader narrative context, Job’s words offer assurance that even if the wicked seem prospering for a season, their final outcome lies in God’s sovereign and fair judgment (compare Psalm 73:17 where the psalmist also discerns the end of the wicked).