איוב, פרק כ׳, פסוק ה׳

The prosperity and happiness of those who do wrong are nothing more than a passing illusion. Though they may appear to thrive, their success lacks deep roots and is destined to end quickly. The primary approach among commentators is that this success is remarkably short-lived. The celebration of the wicked is a recent development that will not endure, lasting for only a brief moment before fading away [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The fact that evildoers succeed and celebrate at all is viewed as a relatively new historical phenomenon. In ancient times, God would pass judgment upon them swiftly. Because of this, one cannot look at the current reality and assume that the success of the wicked is a permanent rule. Even today, their prosperity is bound to be cut short [מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, there is a clear distinction between different types of wrongdoers and how they experience happiness. Those who commit evil openly express their joy through public celebration and cheering. On the other hand, a hypocrite commits evil in secret while presenting a righteous face to the world. Because of this disguise, the hypocrite cannot celebrate in public. His enjoyment remains entirely hidden, a secret satisfaction in his heart over his wrongdoings [מלבי״ם].

A different perspective connects this fleeting joy to the way God judges righteous individuals who stumble into sin. While God often shows immense patience toward those who have been wicked their entire lives, His response is different for good people who have only recently turned to wrongdoing. For these individuals, punishment is immediate, and their happiness turns to grief in an instant. This mirrors the story of Adam and Eve, who lived closely with God in the Garden of Eden. The moment they sinned, influenced by the serpent's hypocrisy, they faced immediate judgment and exile [אלשיך].