Humans are such fragile creatures. Unfortunately, we often refuse to admit this fragility and even choose to cover it up with our arrogance. Other sins arise that accompany our arrogance. We feel more right than others, even creating the illusion that we have done nothing wrong and sin. Until finally divine intervention comes and reminds us of all the consequences of the actions we have taken.

Thus Zophar, Job's friend, believed that God's judgment would come to the wicked. That is what he tried to convey to Job in response to Job's statement of his innocence. Throughout chapter 20 we can see a series of events that Zophar believed would befall the wicked. He concluded all these events based on various teachings on sin and its consequences that were indeed widespread at that time. Then he accepted the teaching as a universally applicable truth that cannot be challenged.

In the passage we are reading now, Zophar underlines the arrogance of the wicked who feel that they are above everything and will certainly avoid bad luck. In fact, these people will be erased from the records of history. Their descendants will suffer the worst fate, becoming the most miserable among those who suffer (v. 10). If previously the wicked lived their lives in dishonesty and justified any means to achieve their goals, now they must bear the consequences of this mindset. The wicked are deceived. They take evil actions like sweets into their mouths, put them under their tongues, and enjoy them as long as possible (vv. 12-14). However, the “sweets” turn into poison, like swallowing snake venom.

Zophar was so loud in discussing the fate of the wicked in front of Job, who according to him was getting closer to wickedness and worldly mortality. In fact, Zophar's call was initiated by statements made by Job. This is where Zophar's mistake lies. He thought he was doing the right thing by warning his friend about the consequences of the wicked, without digesting Job's answer. In the end, his accusations against Job were not proven because Job was indeed a righteous person before God, as he had always tried to convey to his friends. Suffering can befall a righteous person and not be a punishment for what he has done. It is ironic that Zophar, who tried to warn others about wickedness, turned into an arrogant figure who embraced wickedness even more.

So remain a wise person and do not easily judge others. Do not fall into arrogance that feels that you are always right and can never be wrong. When we think like that, we have actually turned into a group of wicked people. In a world where truth becomes something that depends on the public, it feels easier to make us fall into unrighteousness and judgment of others.