18 He is swift on the face of the waters; their portion is cursed on the earth: he turneth not unto the way of the vineyards. 19 Drought and heat consume snow waters; so doth Sheol those that have sinned. 20 The womb forgetteth him; the worm feedeth sweetly on him: he shall be no more remembered; and unrighteousness is broken as a tree,— 21 He that despoileth the barren that beareth not, and doeth not good to the widow: 22 He draweth also the mighty with his power; he riseth up, and no [man] is sure of life. 23 [God] setteth him in safety, and he resteth thereon; but his eyes are upon their ways. 24 They are exalted for a little, and are no more; they are laid low; like all [other] are they gathered, and are cut off as the tops of the ears of corn. 25 If it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 24:18-25
Commentary on Job 24:18-25
(Read Job 24:18-25)
Sometimes how gradual is the decay, how quiet the departure of a wicked person, how is he honoured, and how soon are all his cruelties and oppressions forgotten! They are taken off with other men, as the harvestman gathers the ears of corn as they come to hand. There will often appear much to resemble the wrong view of Providence Job takes in this chapter. But we are taught by the word of inspiration, that these notions are formed in ignorance, from partial views. The providence of God, in the affairs of men, is in every thing a just and wise providence. Let us apply this whenever the Lord may try us. He cannot do wrong. The unequalled sorrows of the Son of God when on earth, unless looked at in this view, perplex the mind. But when we behold him, as the sinner's Surety, bearing the curse, we can explain why he should endure that wrath which was due to sin, that Divine justice might be satisfied, and his people saved.