This verse shows God’s heart for society’s most helpless and underscores His coming judgment of those who abandon mercy.
Job 24:21 says, He wrongs the barren woman And does no good for the widow. (v.21) Although Job is the speaker throughout most of this passage, here he describes the actions of the wicked and the injustices they commit against the most helpless among society. The barren woman, who suffers from the social stigma of childlessness, and the widow, who has lost the provision of her husband, serve as examples of vulnerable people who are exploited instead of being protected. This indictment underscores the seriousness of social injustice and the callousness displayed by those who abuse their strength and resources at the expense of the defenseless.
Scripture often elevates the widow, orphan, and foreigner as groups especially dear to God’s heart. In Deuteronomy 24:19, for instance, the Lord gives Israel gleaning laws so that the “alien, orphan, and widow” could gather food left behind in the fields, ensuring care for those who lacked provision. James 1:27 also highlights that pure religion involves caring for the afflicted widow and orphan rather than neglecting them. When Jesus came, He modeled compassion toward the marginalized, reinforcing the Bible’s consistent theme that refusing to help the helpless disregards God’s mandate of mercy and love.
Job’s depiction of the wicked man who wrongs these vulnerable women reveals the moral backdrop against which true faith and righteousness stand out. Like many other biblical passages, this verse spotlights God’s concern for those on the fringes of society, illustrating that the Lord sees how each person treats the oppressed. Ultimately, it warns that ignoring the needs of the most vulnerable—be they barren women or widows—contributes to the moral bankruptcy God condemns throughout Scripture.
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Job 24:21 meaning
Job 24:21 says, He wrongs the barren woman And does no good for the widow. (v.21) Although Job is the speaker throughout most of this passage, here he describes the actions of the wicked and the injustices they commit against the most helpless among society. The barren woman, who suffers from the social stigma of childlessness, and the widow, who has lost the provision of her husband, serve as examples of vulnerable people who are exploited instead of being protected. This indictment underscores the seriousness of social injustice and the callousness displayed by those who abuse their strength and resources at the expense of the defenseless.
Scripture often elevates the widow, orphan, and foreigner as groups especially dear to God’s heart. In Deuteronomy 24:19, for instance, the Lord gives Israel gleaning laws so that the “alien, orphan, and widow” could gather food left behind in the fields, ensuring care for those who lacked provision. James 1:27 also highlights that pure religion involves caring for the afflicted widow and orphan rather than neglecting them. When Jesus came, He modeled compassion toward the marginalized, reinforcing the Bible’s consistent theme that refusing to help the helpless disregards God’s mandate of mercy and love.
Job’s depiction of the wicked man who wrongs these vulnerable women reveals the moral backdrop against which true faith and righteousness stand out. Like many other biblical passages, this verse spotlights God’s concern for those on the fringes of society, illustrating that the Lord sees how each person treats the oppressed. Ultimately, it warns that ignoring the needs of the most vulnerable—be they barren women or widows—contributes to the moral bankruptcy God condemns throughout Scripture.