Hypocrisy amounts to living in vanity. The reward is emptiness and “vexation of spirit”, to quote King Solomon, a prophet of God.  In today’s foregoing text, Eliphaz the Temanite, one of the three friends of Job provided some insights into the theme of hypocrisy.

Some people give out bribes as social security; some ungodly women sell their bodies to ingratiate themselves into society; some murder innocent people and rob them of their possessions. There are also well known cases of high profile kidnappers who head several rogue gangs with the aim of making money and living well in society. They dwell in a world of mischief and make-believe. Talking about the wicked Job, the prophet says: “Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them…They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave”. – Job 21:7-13.

And Saint Paul still harping on their hypocrisy had this to say: “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith…For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off”. – Romans 11:20-22.