Humans are creatures with reason and freedom of thought as part of their characteristics. Unfortunately, both of these things are often used to hide the darkness in their hearts. Justification after justification is constructed to cover up their sins so that they appear to be righteous people who are worthy of emulation. This is a symptom that is rife in our world. A world that is often so shallow and only fascinated by external appearances. A world that loves masks and darkness because light often reveals heart-piercing truths that have been dominated by darkness.

Job describes a group of people who live contrary to moral and spiritual order. They are thieves, adulterers, murderers; people who reject light not because they do not know, but because they hate it. "For darkness is the morning for them, and they are accustomed to the horror of darkness." (verse 17). An intriguing paradox, the dawn that is hope for the world, is a threat for them.

However, after describing the darkness, Job leads to a deeper reality: although they appear strong, their lives are unstable and their fate has been determined. They will be forgotten, obliterated, and not even remembered by the womb that once bore them. A harsh and warning image. But Job is also realistic. He knows that judgment does not always come immediately. The wicked may ‘exalt themselves’, live in luxury, and feel secure. However, the eyes of God never sleep. They cannot escape divine observation, and although the time is not always now, they will ‘fall away, and shrivel up and be cut off’.

Bible friends, the situation today seems not much different from the time of Job. Many reject the light not because they do not know, but because the light exposes. Many love the darkness because that is where they can hide their true faces. But for the righteous, light remains a calling. Even though darkness seems to prevail, God is not silent. He sees, records, and in His time will act. Like the sun that reveals all shadows, God’s justice will reveal everything.