Job 21:15 – “Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In Job 21:15, Job continues to describe the attitude of the wicked toward God. They question why they should serve the Almighty or pray to Him, as they see no benefit in doing so. Their question, “Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him?” reflects an attitude of arrogance and self-sufficiency. These people believe they can live without God and have no need for His guidance, protection, or provision. They see no value in acknowledging God’s authority or seeking Him through prayer.
This verse reveals a key issue in the hearts of those who reject God: they measure their relationship with God by what they can gain from Him. If they don’t see immediate rewards or benefits, they see no reason to serve Him. This mindset is transactional—they will only serve God if they get something out of it. Job, in his suffering, contrasts this attitude with his own life. Even in his pain, Job seeks to understand God’s will and questions why the wicked prosper despite their rejection of Him.
Historical Context
In Job’s time, as in many cultures, the general belief was that serving God would bring blessings, while rejecting Him would lead to suffering. Job’s friends, for example, believed that Job’s suffering was a result of some hidden sin. However, Job observes that many people who reject God still live prosperous and peaceful lives. This is why the wicked can ask, “What would we gain by praying to him?”—they feel they are already thriving without God’s help.
The verse reflects a worldview that was common not only in Job’s time but throughout history—people often seek gods or deities for what they can get out of the relationship. In rejecting God, these individuals fail to see the true purpose of serving Him: a relationship based on reverence, trust, and love, rather than mere self-interest.
Theological Implications
Job 21:15 speaks to the human tendency to view God in transactional terms—believing that we only serve God for what He can give us. But this attitude misses the heart of faith. Serving God is not just about receiving blessings or avoiding punishment; it’s about recognizing who He is, the Creator and Sustainer of all life, and acknowledging His authority over us.
This verse reminds us of the deeper purpose of prayer and worship. Prayer is not just a means to an end where we ask God for things and expect a return. Instead, it is a way to align our hearts with God’s will, to seek His presence, and to grow in our relationship with Him. The wicked in this passage misunderstand the nature of their relationship with God, believing that if there’s no apparent gain, there’s no reason to seek Him.
Literary Analysis
In this verse, Job uses the rhetorical questions of the wicked to emphasize their arrogance and disbelief. The phrase “Who is the Almighty?” suggests that the wicked either question God’s power or see no reason to submit to His authority. By asking, “What would we gain by praying to him?” they reduce the act of prayer to a mere tool for personal benefit, missing the true purpose of worship and communion with God.
The tone of the verse is almost sarcastic, reflecting the foolishness of those who reject God yet live comfortably. It contrasts the carefree attitude of the wicked with Job’s own faith, as he wrestles with understanding God’s justice in the face of his own suffering.
Biblical Cross-References
Other parts of Scripture speak to the attitude of people who reject God or view Him only as a means to an end:
- Malachi 3:14 – “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty?’” Here, the people express a similar sentiment, seeing no value in serving God if there is no immediate reward.
- Psalm 73:11-12 – “They say, ‘How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?’ This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.” The psalmist observes the same arrogance and disregard for God among the wicked, who live as though God does not see their actions.
- Romans 1:21 – “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Paul explains that those who reject God’s authority ultimately fall into spiritual blindness and foolishness.
These cross-references show that the issue of rejecting God and questioning the value of serving Him is not unique to Job’s time. It is a recurring theme in Scripture and reflects the deeper human issue of pride and self-sufficiency.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Job 21:15 is a reminder to examine our motives for serving God. Do we seek God only for what we can gain, or do we seek Him because He is worthy of our love, worship, and obedience? This verse challenges us to move beyond a transactional faith and into a deeper relationship with God, where we trust Him regardless of whether we see immediate blessings.
It also encourages us to remember that God’s ways are not always visible to us in the short term. Just because the wicked seem to prosper without prayer or service to God doesn’t mean that they are outside of His judgment or that their lives are truly fulfilling. Christians are called to trust in God’s eternal justice and to remain faithful even when we don’t immediately see the results of our prayers and obedience.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Job 21:15 presents a distorted view of God from the perspective of the wicked, but it also points us to the truth of God’s patience and love. Even when people reject Him, God allows them time to repent. He doesn’t force anyone to serve Him, but He continues to extend His grace and mercy, hoping that they will turn to Him.
God’s love is shown in His willingness to let people make their own choices, even if it means they reject Him for a time. Yet, His love is also demonstrated in His continued invitation to relationship. God desires not just our obedience, but our hearts. He invites us to know Him deeply, not for what we can gain, but because knowing Him is the greatest blessing of all.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Job 21:15 connects to Jesus Christ by highlighting the contrast between the self-serving attitude of the wicked and the self-giving love of Jesus. While the wicked ask, “What would we gain by praying to him?” Jesus teaches that true life is found not in selfish gain, but in surrendering to God’s will. Jesus exemplified this in His own life, as He constantly sought the Father’s will and taught His disciples to pray with hearts aligned to God, rather than seeking their own interests.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This shows that when we prioritize God’s kingdom over our personal gain, we find the true blessings that come from a life rooted in Him. Jesus invites us into a relationship with God where the focus is on knowing and loving God, not merely on receiving material blessings.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever found yourself questioning the value of serving God or praying when the results aren’t immediate? How can Job 21:15 challenge that mindset?
- What does this verse teach us about the difference between a transactional faith and a relationship with God based on love and trust?
- How can we cultivate a heart that desires to know God and follow His ways, regardless of the immediate benefits?
- How does Jesus’ example of seeking God’s will in prayer help us to understand the true purpose of serving God?
- In what ways can we trust that God’s justice will prevail, even when the wicked seem to prosper?
Job 21:15 reminds us that true faith is not about what we can gain from God, but about knowing and serving Him because of who He is. Through Jesus, we see the ultimate example of surrendering to God’s will, and we are called to follow His example by seeking a relationship with God that goes beyond personal gain. Trusting in God’s justice and love, we can serve Him with a heart that desires to know His ways.