Job 21:18 Study Bible: How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries away?

◄ Job 21:18 ►

Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm?

Are they like straw before the wind
In this phrase, Job is questioning the fate of the wicked, challenging the simplistic view that they are easily swept away like straw. The Hebrew word for "straw" is "teben," which refers to the dry stalks left after the grain has been harvested. Straw is lightweight and easily carried by the wind, symbolizing something that lacks substance or permanence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, straw was often used as fodder or fuel, indicating its low value. Job's rhetorical question suggests that the wicked are not as easily disposed of as straw, challenging the notion that they face immediate judgment. This reflects Job's struggle with the apparent prosperity of the wicked, despite their moral failings.

like chaff swept away by a storm
The term "chaff" in Hebrew is "mots," referring to the husks and other light debris separated from the grain during threshing. Chaff is even less substantial than straw, emphasizing the idea of worthlessness and impermanence. In biblical times, chaff was separated from the grain by winnowing, where the wind would blow away the lighter chaff, leaving the heavier grain behind. The imagery of chaff being "swept away by a storm" intensifies the idea of sudden and complete removal. However, Job's use of this imagery questions the assumption that the wicked are inevitably and swiftly removed by divine judgment. Historically, storms in the ancient Near East were seen as acts of divine intervention, yet Job observes that the wicked often seem untouched by such divine acts. This challenges the retributive justice theology of his friends, who argue that suffering is always a direct result of personal sin. Job's lament highlights the complexity of divine justice and the mystery of God's ways, encouraging believers to trust in God's ultimate wisdom and timing, even when immediate circumstances seem unjust.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this chapter, Job is responding to his friends' assertions about the fate of the wicked.

2. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who argue that suffering is a direct result of sin. Job 21 is part of Job's rebuttal to their claims.

3. The Wicked
In this context, Job is discussing the fate of the wicked, questioning the simplistic view that they are always punished swiftly and visibly.

4. Wind and Storm
Natural elements used metaphorically to describe the sudden and complete destruction of the wicked, akin to straw and chaff being blown away.

5. Chaff
A metaphor for worthlessness and impermanence, often used in the Bible to describe the fate of the wicked.

Teaching Points

The Impermanence of Wickedness
The imagery of straw and chaff highlights the temporary nature of the wicked's prosperity. While they may seem secure, their end is swift and certain.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
Job's rhetorical question underscores the belief that God is ultimately in control of the fate of the wicked, even if it is not immediately apparent.

The Complexity of Suffering
Job challenges the simplistic view that suffering is always a direct result of personal sin, encouraging believers to trust in God's wisdom and timing.

The Call to Righteousness
Believers are reminded to pursue righteousness, knowing that the apparent success of the wicked is fleeting.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of straw and chaff in Job 21:18 help us understand the fate of the wicked?

2. In what ways does Job 21 challenge the notion that suffering is always a direct result of sin?

3. How can the metaphor of wind and storm in this verse be applied to our understanding of God's judgment?

4. What other biblical passages use similar imagery to describe the fate of the wicked, and how do they enhance our understanding of this verse?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Job 21:18 to our own lives, particularly in how we view the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 1
This Psalm contrasts the righteous and the wicked, using the imagery of chaff to describe the wicked's fate.

Matthew 3
John the Baptist uses the imagery of chaff to describe the judgment that will come upon the unrepentant.

Isaiah 17
This passage uses similar imagery to describe the fleeting nature of those who oppose God.

Sermons

Diverse Interpretations of Life	E. Johnson	Job 21:1-34
Job's Third Answer	Homilist	Job 21:1-34
The Prosperity of the Wicked	W.F. Adeney	Job 21:7-21

People

Job

Places

Topics

Carries, Carrieth, Chaff, Dry, Frequently, Gale, Grass, Hurricane, Often, Stealeth, Stems, Stolen, Storm, Storm-wind, Straw, Stubble, Swept, Wind

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Job 21:18

4516 straw

Job 21:16-18

5511 safety

Job 21:17-18

4426 chaff

Library

Not Now, but Hereafter!
It is mainly my business, today, to deal with those who may wickedly continue in sin because their judgment tarries. If the Lord does not in this world visit the ungodly with stripes, this is but the surer evidence that in the world to come there is a solemn retribution for the impenitent. If the affliction which is here accorded to men be not the punishment of sin, we turn to Scripture and discover what that punishment will be, and we are soon informed that it is something far heavier than any calamities …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

False Comforts for Sinners.
Text.--How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood.--Job xxi. 34. JOB'S three friends insisted on it that the afflictions which he suffered were sent as a punishment for his sins, and were evidence conclusive that he was a hypocrite, and not a good man as he professed to be. A lengthy argument ensued, in which job referred to all past experience, to prove that men are not dealt with in this world according to their character; that the distinction is not observed …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

Dancing.
DANCING is the expression of inward feelings by means of rhythmical movements of the body. Usually these movements are in measured step, and are accompanied by music. In some form or another dancing is as old as the world, and has been practiced by rude as well as by civilized peoples. The passion for amateur dancing always has been strongest among savage nations, who have made equal use of it in religious rites and in war. With the savages the dancers work themselves into a perfect frenzy, into …
J. M. Judy—Questionable Amusements and Worthy Substitutes

Whether the Rewards Assigned to the Beatitudes Refer to this Life?
Objection 1: It would seem that the rewards assigned to the beatitudes do not refer to this life. Because some are said to be happy because they hope for a reward, as stated above [1672](A[1]). Now the object of hope is future happiness. Therefore these rewards refer to the life to come. Objection 2: Further, certain punishments are set down in opposition to the beatitudes, Lk. 6:25, where we read: "Woe to you that are filled; for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh, for you shall mourn and …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Ignorance Causes Involuntariness?
Objection 1: It would seem that ignorance does not cause involuntariness. For "the involuntary act deserves pardon," as Damascene says (De Fide Orth. ii, 24). But sometimes that which is done through ignorance does not deserve pardon, according to 1 Cor. 14:38: "If any man know not, he shall not be known." Therefore ignorance does not cause involuntariness. Objection 2: Further, every sin implies ignorance; according to Prov. 14: 22: "They err, that work evil." If, therefore, ignorance causes involuntariness, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether a Man Can Hate the Truth?
Objection 1: It would seem that a man cannot hate the truth. For good, true, and being are convertible. But a man cannot hate good. Neither, therefore, can he hate the truth. Objection 2: Further, "All men have a natural desire for knowledge," as stated in the beginning of the Metaphysics i, 1. But knowledge is only of truth. Therefore truth is naturally desired and loved. But that which is in a thing naturally, is always in it. Therefore no man can hate the truth. Objection 3: Further, the Philosopher …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Every Punishment is Inflicted for a Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that not every punishment is inflicted for a sin. For it is written (Jn. 9:3, 2) about the man born blind: "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents . . . that he should be born blind." In like manner we see that many children, those also who have been baptized, suffer grievous punishments, fevers, for instance, diabolical possession, and so forth, and yet there is no sin in them after they have been baptized. Moreover before they are baptized, there is no more sin …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Anti-Christ May be Called the Head of all the Wicked?
Objection 1: It would seem that Antichrist is not the head of the wicked. For there are not several heads of one body. But the devil is the head of the multitude of the wicked. Therefore Anti-christ is not their head. Objection 2: Further, Anti-christ is a member of the devil. Now the head is distinguished from the members. Therefore Anti-christ is not the head of the wicked. Objection 3: Further, the head has an influence over the members. But Anti-christ has no influence over the wicked who have …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
"Thou restrainest prayer before God."--JOB xv. 4. "What profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?"--JOB xxi. 15. "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you."--1 SAM. xii. 23. "Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you."--JOSH. vii. 12. Any deep quickening of the spiritual life of the Church will always be accompanied by a deeper sense of sin. This will not begin with theology; that can only give expression to what God works …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Sundry Sharp Reproofs
This doctrine draws up a charge against several sorts: 1 Those that think themselves good Christians, yet have not learned this art of holy mourning. Luther calls mourning a rare herb'. Men have tears to shed for other things, but have none to spare for their sins. There are many murmurers, but few mourners. Most are like the stony ground which lacked moisture' (Luke 8:6). We have many cry out of hard times, but they are not sensible of hard hearts. Hot and dry is the worst temper of the body. Sure …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of the Exceeding Mercy of God in Christ, to his Poor Servant, John Bunyan
In this my relation of the merciful working of God upon my soul, it will not be amiss, if in the first place, I do in a few words give you a hint of my pedigree, and manner of bringing up; that thereby the goodness and bounty of God towards me, may be the more advanced and magnified before the sons of men. 2. For my descent then, it was, as is well known by many, of a low and inconsiderable generation; my father's house being of that rank that is meanest, and most despised of all the families in …
John Bunyan—Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
"O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgements, and His ways past finding out" (Rom. 11:33). "Salvation is of the LORD" (Jonah 2:9); but the Lord does not save all. Why not? He does save some; then if He saves some, why not others? Is it because they are too sinful and depraved? No; for the Apostle wrote, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (1 …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

"For they that are after the Flesh do Mind the Things of the Flesh,",
Rom. viii. 5.--"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh,", &c. Though sin hath taken up the principal and inmost cabinet of the heart of man--though it hath fixed its imperial throne in the spirit of man, and makes use of all the powers and faculties in the soul to accomplish its accursed desires and fulfil its boundless lusts, yet it is not without good reason expressed in scripture, ordinarily under the name of "flesh," and a "body of death," and men dead in sins, are …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Tests of Love to God
LET us test ourselves impartially whether we are in the number of those that love God. For the deciding of this, as our love will be best seen by the fruits of it, I shall lay down fourteen signs, or fruits, of love to God, and it concerns us to search carefully whether any of these fruits grow in our garden. 1. The first fruit of love is the musing of the mind upon God. He who is in love, his thoughts are ever upon the object. He who loves God is ravished and transported with the contemplation of …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Careless Sinner Awakened.
1, 2. It is too supposable a case that this Treatise may come into such hands.--3, 4. Since many, not grossly vicious, fail under that character.--5, 6. A more particular illustration of this case, with an appeal to the reader, whether it be not his own.--7 to 9. Expostulation with such.--10 to 12. More particularly--From acknowledged principles relating to the Nature of Got, his universal presence, agency, and perfection.--13. From a view of personal obligations to him.--14. From the danger Of this …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
1. Introduction, showing the necessity of proving the similarity of both dispensations in opposition to Servetus and the Anabaptists. 2. This similarity in general. Both covenants truly one, though differently administered. Three things in which they entirely agree. 3. First general similarity, or agreement--viz. that the Old Testament, equally with the New, extended its promises beyond the present life, and held out a sure hope of immortality. Reason for this resemblance. Objection answered. 4. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

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

Links

Job 21:18 NIV
Job 21:18 NLT
Job 21:18 ESV
Job 21:18 NASB
Job 21:18 KJV

Job 21:18 Commentaries

Bible Hub