Job 20:4-5

4 Knowest [yada`] thou not this of old [`ad], since man ['adam] was placed [suwm] upon earth ['erets],

5 That the triumphing [rananah] of the wicked [rasha`] is short [qarowb], and the joy [simchah] of the hypocrite [chaneph] but for a moment [rega`]? KJV-Interlinear

4 'Do you know this from of old, From the establishment of man on earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary? NASB

Even though Zophars' logic is flawed with regard to Job, we can still learn some history, and something about what people back in that ancient time, understood.

'Do you know,' is a rhetorical question. Don't you know, suggests that everyone knows this principle of life. Don't you know, indicates that this is common knowledge.

And since Zophar is making the comment in a very ancient time in history, then we should understand that the principles of life, of good and evil, and so forth, were generally understood back then, and are not something reserved for modern day knowledge.

Today we can say, 'This is the twenty-first century.' And this implies that we know more today than folks knew before our time. And that might apply to technology and gadgets and such, but as far as truth and wisdom is concerned, our latter date in history makes no difference.

All we have accomplished in human history, is really to come up with more categories of philosophies than existed in those ancient times. But philosophies don't mean squat if they are not backed up with truth. And, of course, most are not.

Isa 3:11

11 Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, For what he deserves will be done to him. NASB

Acts 28:4

4 And when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, 'Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.' NASB

People in Jobs day, knew that evil was a short lived pattern of life, just as they knew it in Isaiah's day, just as they knew it 2000 years ago during the time of Christ's first advent, just as we should know it today.

Principles of truth do not change with history, with philosophy, or with anything in our temporal realm.

Adam sinned and punishment came immediately. Cain sinned and punishment came immediately. Anyone who sins receives immediate consequences. And that immediate consequence is being placed out of fellowship. Something you cannot see or feel or detect.

And then over time, the consequences of sin, or the pattern of sin, become apparent at the moment of ones death.

These consequences apply to all sinners, whether openly profane and wicked as are criminals and such, or whether secretly wicked as are self-righteous 'good' people.

The happiness of the wicked is temporary and never permanent. The happiness of the wicked is a counterfeit happiness. And though they may prosper, feel secure in their possessions or beliefs, be merry within social events, and so forth, their life is really a lie.

Death cashes in and closes all accounts.

Of course, Zophar is saying that this is the state of Job. He was once prosperous, but now is poor. Therefore, the conclusion is that Job was wicked. We already know that this conclusion is wrong.

But, we also know that this principle as stated by Zophar is a correct statement, in principle. The wicked do prosper in this world, but their prosperity, their happiness, and all they have, is short lived.

Whether for a few short years, for decades, or even for all of ones life, the wicked can exist in this world within the illusion of their self-made utopia. Sadaam and Hitler can be two examples of people who enjoyed great prosperity, notoriety, and such, but where are they now?

They are extreme examples, but the principle applies to the average non-public person too. That is you and me. We can all exclude God and our spiritual life, from our life, and then we may follow this principle perfectly.

And of course within the jungle setting, which is the environment of all life outside of the spiritual life, there are all kinds and categories of folks. Some are predators, but most are the prey. And happiness is even shorter lived for the prey.

Now is the time to post a prayer.