(14) Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. (15) What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? (16) Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. (17) В¶ How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. (18) They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. (19) God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it. (20) His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. (21) For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? (22) Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high. (23) One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. (24) His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. (25) And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. (26) They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
With what awful words does this part of Job's discourse open? And can we suppose that there were ever any men upon earth so abandoned as to use this language? It would be for the honour of human nature if there were not. But if in words the graceless do not so defy GOD, they do what is tantamount in actions, by which they despise him! How beautifully Job describes the fleeting vaporish continuance of the wicked man's prosperity, under the similitude of a candle, which is often put out! Life itself, if left like a candle to burn out, would not last long even then. But how often will a thief, as we call it, in the candle, put it out! How oft the fleeting of the oil will put it out! How oft by snuffing it, is it put out! And who shall say how often GOD, by the blowing of the wind of his anger in sickness, or sudden visitations, puts life out! And is this worthy to be called prosperity, even the most carnal gratifications of the ungodly, when exposed to such sudden, and everlasting danger every moment! The prophet Isaiah hath drawn a fine comparison between an old prosperous sinner in death, and the child of grace, called upon to enter glory; where he saith, the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner, being an hundred years old, shall be accursed. Isaiah 65:20.