This verse confronts readers with the timeless question of why we serve and entreat God: is it for personal gain, or for the reverence He is due?
Job is expressing the perspective of the wicked who question God’s authority and His worthiness of service when he says: “Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we entreat Him?” (Job 21:15). This question arises in the midst of Job’s rebuttal to his friends, who have been insisting that the wicked always fail. Here, Job acknowledges that many evildoers live prosperous lives and remain defiant, challenging the notion that faithfully serving God leads to guaranteed prosperity. Their rhetorical question belies a deeper skepticism: if so many flourish without revering the Lord, what benefits truly come from honoring Him? This stands in stark contrast to the biblical principle that God ultimately rewards righteousness (James 1:12).
In his response, Job places the inquiry within a broader theological framework: even though it appears to some that God’s justice is delayed, divine sovereignty remains unchallenged (Psalm 115:3). Historically, Job is believed to have lived during the patriarchal period, around 2000-1700 BC, although exact dates are uncertain. The Book of Job underscores humanity’s limited perspective on God's grand design, highlighting that what we see in the immediate present may not reflect the final outcome that the Almighty has purposed. When the wicked question God’s authority, they reveal their lack of understanding and trust.
Though Job speaks these words, they exemplify the mindset of those who deem religious devotion unprofitable. In the greater context of Scripture, we see Jesus teaching that treasures in heaven vastly outweigh any earthly gain (Matthew 6:19-21). As believers, we are encouraged to serve God not merely for immediate gain but to honor Him in love and humility, trusting that ultimate justice and reward lie in His hands.
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Job 21:15 meaning
Job is expressing the perspective of the wicked who question God’s authority and His worthiness of service when he says: “Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we entreat Him?” (Job 21:15). This question arises in the midst of Job’s rebuttal to his friends, who have been insisting that the wicked always fail. Here, Job acknowledges that many evildoers live prosperous lives and remain defiant, challenging the notion that faithfully serving God leads to guaranteed prosperity. Their rhetorical question belies a deeper skepticism: if so many flourish without revering the Lord, what benefits truly come from honoring Him? This stands in stark contrast to the biblical principle that God ultimately rewards righteousness (James 1:12).
In his response, Job places the inquiry within a broader theological framework: even though it appears to some that God’s justice is delayed, divine sovereignty remains unchallenged (Psalm 115:3). Historically, Job is believed to have lived during the patriarchal period, around 2000-1700 BC, although exact dates are uncertain. The Book of Job underscores humanity’s limited perspective on God's grand design, highlighting that what we see in the immediate present may not reflect the final outcome that the Almighty has purposed. When the wicked question God’s authority, they reveal their lack of understanding and trust.
Though Job speaks these words, they exemplify the mindset of those who deem religious devotion unprofitable. In the greater context of Scripture, we see Jesus teaching that treasures in heaven vastly outweigh any earthly gain (Matthew 6:19-21). As believers, we are encouraged to serve God not merely for immediate gain but to honor Him in love and humility, trusting that ultimate justice and reward lie in His hands.