the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary? Sermons
I. HIS HONOR IS TEMPORARY. If he raise himself so that "his head reach unto the clouds, yet he shall perish for ever;" "he shall fly away as a dream," so short is his grasp of any position of honour. II. HIS FAMILY PROSPERITY IS BUT BRIEF. The goods he has gained by his ungodliness "his hands shall restore," and his children crouch to appease the poor. Ill-gotten gain is held by uncertain hands. For a time the ungodly seems to prosper, but it is that he may be consumed out of his place. III. HIS LIFE IS WASTED AND PASSETH AWAY. Even his youthful vigour fails him. it shall speedily "lie down with him in the dust." The practice of wickedness brings punishment on hint who offends. The tendency of wrong-doing is ever to prey upon the strength of the life. IV. THE PLEASURES OF SIN TO HIM ABE BUT FOR A SEASON. Though he 'hide" wickedness "under his tongue," though it be "sweet in his mouth," yet shall it be turned to "the gall of asps within him." V. THE POSSESSION OF RICHES IS PERMITTED ONLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD. Though he swallow them down, "he shall vomit them up again." Nothing has permanence with him. Changes come over him from sources he cannot trace and certainly could not foresee. His toil is fruitless. "That which he laboured for shall he restore... he shall not rejoice therein." Wickedness eats into the strength and joy of life. It exposes life to innumerable evils and robs it of its chief good. The wicked man has no pledge of permanent blessing. "He shall not save of that which he desired." Truly "the triumphing of the wicked is short." - R.G.
That the triumphing of the wicked is short. The words of the text are indisputably true, though misapplied. In the world there is, alas! very often a triumphing of the wicked. Sometimes We see it on a grand scale, as in the cases of Pharaoh, or of Nero. Sometimes we see it on a small scale. There is great mystery in this apparent triumph of evil. Many a suffering saint has been perplexed by this feature of the Divine government (Psalm 23).I. Some thoughts as to WHY THE WICKED SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO TRIUMPH FOR A SEASON. 1. God is a God of patience and long-suffering. He does not cut short the day of grace, even of the most ungodly, but gives them space for repentance. And even if this is of no avail, yet it is a display of His own attributes, and leaves the impenitent more completely without excuse. 2. This triumph may be permitted for a time, as a chastisement to His people, or to His world. God uses the wicked as unconscious instruments in executing His will, and especially in inflicting chastisement on His backsliding people. II. There is another, and how different a triumph, THE TRIUMPH OF THE CHRISTIAN. His triumph is not over the weak and suffering, but over the strong — the world, the flesh, the devil. (George Wagner.) II. THE SHORTNESS OF THE TRIUMPHS OF MAN. 1. In regard to the object itself. It is a conquest which circumstances put into their hands. But see how unstable is war. 2. The expression is also true as it regards the term of human life. The period allotted to man, even the longest period, is only a small portion of time. Death will soon overtake the ungodly, and put a final termination to all his plans and purposes; he will hurry the soul before the Judge of quick and dead, to give account of the deeds done in the body. Then will appear the value of the one thing needful. This subject teaches the people of God not to despond, not to judge or conclude that the wicked are happy, because they seem to prosper and triumph. It teaches the believer the obligations under which he lies to God for grace — grace which has enlightened his mind — grace which has led him to Christ, to believe in Him, and find mercy and peace — grace which has guided his steps, and enabled him to bear patiently all the ills of life, in the hope of a triumph forever. (F. Rogers Blackley.) And the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment. Sketches of Sermons. Prejudice or passion will miserably warp the judgment. It will hide from us what we know not, and cause us to pervert what we do know. This is exemplified in the friends of Job. Job had hinted to them the evil and danger of their conduct (Job 19:28, 29). And Zophar, irritated at the caution, replies with great severity. His words, however, though misapplied, suggest to us two very important truths respecting sinners.I. THEIR PROSPERITY IS TRANSIENT. Of sinners, some make no profession of religion, and others a false profession. Each of these characters may enjoy, for a while, great prosperity. the profane are often exalted to places of dignity and power. They prosper in all their labours for wealth and preferment. They "triumph," as though no evil should ever happen unto them (Psalm 73:3-12). Hypocrites also frequently are held in estimation (Revelation 3:1). They are objects of envy to many an humble and contrite soul. They will boast of experiences which might well be coveted. And even attain considerable heights of joy (Matthew 13:20). But their prosperity will be of short duration. The hypocrite shall have a period put to his dissimulation. He shall soon appear in his proper character (Deuteronomy 32:35). In comparison of eternity, the duration of his joy will be "but a moment." II. THEIR RUIN WILL BE TREMENDOUS. The ungodly will in due time be visited for their offences. They will then "perish." 1. To their own eternal shame. 2. To the astonishment of all that knew them. The question "Where is he?" refers primarily to the utter extinction of the ungodly. Address — "Know you not this?" Know you not that this has been so from the beginning of the world? Does not the Word of God assert that" it shall be ill with the wicked"? (Isaiah 3:11; Psalm 9:17.) Does not the most authentic history in the world prove it to have been so? (Sketches of Sermons.) People Job, ZopharPlaces UzTopics Brief, Evil-doer, Exultation, Exulting, Godless, Hypocrite, Joy, Lasts, Minute, Moment, Momentary, Pride, Profane, Short, Singing, Sinner, Triumphing, Ungodly, WickedOutline 1. Zophar shows the state and portion of the wickedDictionary of Bible Themes Job 20:5Library June 9 EveningThe triumphing of the wicked is short.--JOB 20:5. Thou shalt bruise his heel.--This is your hour, and the power of darkness.--As the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.--Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about … Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path The Christian Urged To, and Assisted In, an Express Act of Self-Dedication to the Service of God. Whether the Ashes from which the Human Body Will be Restored have any Natural Inclination Towards the Soul which Will be United to Them? God. The Hardening Operation of Love. Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men The Barren Fig-Tree; A Few Sighs from Hell; An Exhortation to Love God Man's Misery by the Fall Job Links Job 20:5 NIVJob 20:5 NLT Job 20:5 ESV Job 20:5 NASB Job 20:5 KJV Job 20:5 Bible Apps Job 20:5 Parallel Job 20:5 Biblia Paralela Job 20:5 Chinese Bible Job 20:5 French Bible Job 20:5 German Bible Job 20:5 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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