18 "They are scraps of wood floating on the water - useless, cursed junk, good for nothing. 19 As surely as snow melts under the hot, summer sun, sinners disappear in the grave. 20 The womb has forgotten them, worms have relished them - nothing that is evil lasts. 21 Unscrupulous, they prey on those less fortunate. 22 However much they strut and flex their muscles, there's nothing to them. They're hollow. 23 They may have an illusion of security, but God has his eye on them. 24 They may get their brief successes, but then it's over, nothing to show for it. Like yesterday's newspaper, they're used to wrap up the garbage. 25 You're free to try to prove me a liar, but you won't be able to do it."
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.