Job 24:23
He gives them a sense of security, but His eyes are on their ways.
He gives them a sense of security
This phrase suggests a temporary and perhaps deceptive peace granted by God to the wicked. The Hebrew root for "gives" is "נָתַן" (natan), which means to give, bestow, or permit. In the context of Job, this implies that God allows the wicked to experience a false sense of safety. Historically, this reflects the tension in the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine justice, where the prosperity of the wicked was a perplexing issue. Theologically, it challenges believers to trust in God's ultimate justice, even when immediate circumstances seem unjust.

but His eyes are on their ways
The phrase "His eyes" uses the Hebrew "עֵינַיִם" (einaim), indicating God's omniscience and constant vigilance. This is a comforting reminder that God is not indifferent to human actions. The word "ways" comes from the Hebrew "דֶּרֶךְ" (derekh), meaning path or conduct. This suggests that God is fully aware of the moral and ethical paths people choose. In a scriptural context, this aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God sees all and will ultimately hold everyone accountable. This serves as both a warning to the wicked and a reassurance to the righteous that divine justice will prevail.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and patience who undergoes severe trials and suffering.

2. God
The sovereign Creator who allows Job's trials and is the ultimate judge of human actions.

3. The Wicked
In the context of Job 24, these are individuals who seem to prosper despite their unrighteousness.

4. The Friends of Job
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are part of the broader account, offering their perspectives on suffering and divine justice.

5. The Land of Uz
The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Omniscience
God allows people to feel secure, but His omniscient eyes are always on their ways. This reminds us that nothing escapes God's notice, and His justice will ultimately prevail.

The Illusion of Security
The wicked may feel secure in their ways, but this security is temporary and deceptive. True security is found only in a right relationship with God.

The Patience of God
God's patience with the wicked is an opportunity for repentance. Believers should pray for the salvation of those who seem to prosper in their wickedness.

Trust in God's Justice
Even when the wicked seem to prosper, believers are called to trust in God's perfect justice and timing. Our focus should be on living righteously and leaving judgment to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's omniscience affect your perspective on the apparent prosperity of the wicked?

2. In what ways can believers find true security in God, as opposed to the false security experienced by the wicked?

3. How can the patience of God towards the wicked inspire us to pray for their repentance and salvation?

4. What are some practical ways to maintain trust in God's justice when we see injustice around us?

5. How do the themes in Job 24:23 connect with the teachings of Jesus regarding the final judgment and the separation of the righteous and the wicked?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 73
This psalm reflects on the prosperity of the wicked and the eventual justice of God, similar to the themes in Job 24.

Proverbs 15:3
This verse speaks of the eyes of the Lord being everywhere, observing the wicked and the good, paralleling the idea that God's eyes are on the ways of the wicked.

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13
These verses discuss the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the ultimate justice that awaits them, resonating with Job's observations.

Hebrews 4:13
This New Testament verse emphasizes that nothing is hidden from God's sight, reinforcing the idea that God sees all human actions.
God Observes the Ways of the WickedGeorge Hutcheson.Job 24:23
Consideration for OthersJ. Ruskin.Job 24:1-25
Great Crimes not Always Followed by Great Punishment in This LifeHomilistJob 24:1-25
Pictures of Secret End Unpunished Evil-DoersE. Johnson Job 24:13-25
The Prosperity of the Wicked UnsolvedR. Green Job 24:23, 24
People
Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Confidence, Danger, Fear, Feeling, Gives, Giveth, Provides, Rest, Resteth, Safety, Security, Setteth, Support, Supported, Takes, Thereon, Though, Whereon, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 24:23

     1020   God, all-knowing

Job 24:22-24

     4428   corn

Library
Whether the Husband Can on his Own Judgment Put Away his Wife on Account of Fornication?
Objection 1: It would seem that the husband can on his own judgment put away his wife on account of fornication. For when sentence has been pronounced by the judge, it is lawful to carry it out without any further judgment. But God, the just Judge, has pronounced this judgment, that a husband may put his wife away on account of fornication. Therefore no further judgment is required for this. Objection 2: Further, it is stated (Mat. 1:19) that Joseph . . . being a just man . . . "was minded to put"
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether to be Eternal Belongs to God Alone?
Objection 1: It seems that it does not belong to God alone to be eternal. For it is written that "those who instruct many to justice," shall be "as stars unto perpetual eternities [*Douay: 'for all eternity']" (Dan. 12:3). Now if God alone were eternal, there could not be many eternities. Therefore God alone is not the only eternal. Objection 2: Further, it is written "Depart, ye cursed into eternal [Douay: 'everlasting'] fire" (Mat. 25:41). Therefore God is not the only eternal. Objection 3: Further,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether in Hell the Damned are Tormented by the Sole Punishment of Fire?
Objection 1: It would seem that in hell the damned are tormented by the sole punishment of fire; because Mat. 25:41, where their condemnation is declared, mention is made of fire only, in the words: "Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire." Objection 2: Further, even as the punishment of purgatory is due to venial sin, so is the punishment of hell due to mortal sin. Now no other punishment but that of fire is stated to be in purgatory, as appears from the words of 1 Cor. 3:13: "The fire
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Old Law Set Forth Suitable Precepts About the Members of the Household?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law set forth unsuitable precepts about the members of the household. For a slave "is in every respect his master's property," as the Philosopher states (Polit. i, 2). But that which is a man's property should be his always. Therefore it was unfitting for the Law to command (Ex. 21:2) that slaves should "go out free" in the seventh year. Objection 2: Further, a slave is his master's property, just as an animal, e.g. an ass or an ox. But it is commanded (Dt.
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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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