Job 20-24

Job 20

Zophar feels insulted by Job and responds with the most bluntness so far. He talks of God's anger to wicked. He singles out those who got their wealth from greed and taking advantage of the poor. He does explicitly state "Job, you are one of those", but it is strongly implied when he describes various calamities that happen to rich greedy people which sound eerily similar to what happened to Job. Zophar himself actually curses them by saying "may God rain his anger upon them". (v. 23)

Job 21

Job explains that even the wicked prosper. They see their children and grandchildren grow up. Job maintains his position that the explanations of friends are lies and they mock him.

Job 22

Eliphaz is not convinced. Rather, he gets even more direct. He points out a number of bad things that Job "must have" done to deserve God's punishment. According to Eliphaz, Job must have taken advantage of people in need. He claims that Job is full of sin. He tells him he must return to God in order to be rescued.

Job 23

Job maintains his faith in God and optimism. He actually sort of implies that he this was all a test from God. Optimistically, he thinks he will come out refined like pure gold.

Job 24

Job then reiterates that the wicked are not always punished. He points out many things the wicked. The list includes things similar to those that his friends have accused Job of doing. But yet, they are not all punished by God, at least in the way that Job was "punished". The wicked will at least be forgotten.