October 13, 1999
GREAT QUESTIONS OF THE BIBLE:
"Why does the way of the wicked prosper?"
Jeremiah 12:1
___"You are always righteous, O Lord, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?"
___This text asks an age-old question. Many of us have had similar thoughts. In our school days, we saw students whose lifestyle was an obvious violation of many of God's laws. Yet these were the same people who were the most attractive, most athletic or even the most popular with both students and teachers. They made fun of our morality andtaunted us about our beliefs. In our adult lives, it has not been much different. We see employees promoted who are
BOB CAMPBELL
Pastor, Westbury Baptist Church, Houston
dishonest, deceitful and treacherous toward others. They rise steadily up the corporate ladder with their corrupt ways undetected. They receive bonuses, salary increases and glowing personnel reviews. All the while, they laugh at our loyalty to "outmoded" morality and right conduct.
___Meanwhile, we—who try to follow the will of God—languish in the shadows. We are overlooked in promotions, rewards, praise or salary increases. We work hard, giving an honest day's work.
___Why? Why does God allow the wicked to do so well? On the other hand, why do those of us who are seeking to be faithful to God do so poorly in life?
___Jeremiah was a prophet whose message was greeted with scorn, threats, and persecution from both political and religious authorities. Even his own village plotted to kill him. Jeremiah was placed in stocks in the public square, imprisoned, thrown in a water well and ridiculed openly. Jeremiah knew Psalm 1 taught that the way of the wicked results in God's judgment, but the righteous receives the blessing and favor of God. In "real" life, the opposite appeared true to Jeremiah.
___In reality, Jeremiah's complaint is not a continuation of the age-old question. It is a cry to God for help. Jeremiah feels that God is not rushing to his aid as He promised in Jeremiah 1:8. He needs reassurance from God to continue service as a prophet.
___ Interestingly, God never answers Jeremiah's question. However, God does reassure Jeremiah by telling him that God plans to punish the wicked. Jeremiah is to continue with his prophecies, and God will take care of the wicked.
___ Today, God acts in the same manner: He seldom explains his ways. Our questions go unanswered; but he does reassure us. We are to continue our service for him. He will judge the wicked in his own time and in his own way. Although they appear to prosper for the moment, their end is certain. Only by the grace of God will they escape. Of course, they can escape by grace—through repentance and faith in Christ.
___We are called upon to exercise faith. Faith when circumstances appear to be going against us. It is easy to have faith when the sun is shining. It is easy to be a Christian on Sunday mornings when other Christians surround us; it is more difficult in the trenches of "real" life. Our world is not neat and precise. Doing God's will does not guarantee a life of ease. The Christian life is hard. Yet it offers genuine rewards from God himself. So, when we are overlooked in the marketplace, or at school or even in church, we must continue the work God set before us.
Previous Columns: 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4, 8/11, 8/18, 8/25, 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!
