21:1ff Job refuted Zophar’s idea that evil people never experience wealth and happiness, pointing out that in the real world the wicked do indeed prosper. See Psalm 73 for more on the apparent prosperity of evil people. God does as he wills to individuals (21:22-25), and people cannot use their circumstances to measure their own goodness or God’s—they are sometimes (but not always) related. Success to Job’s friends was based on outward performance; success to God, however, is based on a person’s heart.
21:22 Although baffled by the reasons for his suffering, Job affirmed God’s superior understanding by asking, “Shall any teach God knowledge?” The way you respond to your personal struggles shows your attitude toward God. Rather than becoming angry with God, continue to trust him, no matter what your circumstances may be. Although it is sometimes difficult to see, God is in control. We must commit ourselves to him so we will not resent his timing.
21:29-33 If wicked people become wealthy despite their sin, why should we try to be good? The wicked may seem to get away with sin, but there is a higher Judge and a future judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). The final settlement of justice will come, not in this life, but in the next. What is important is how a person views God in prosperity or poverty, not the prosperity or poverty itself.