After hearing two “Sermons” on the fact that God ALWAYS punishes the wicked man, Job makes a startling observation! (By the way, this fact of “God rebuking the wicked” has been the argumentative “mainstay” of Job’s 3 friends for many chapters now, beginning way back in chapter 3. But most recently Bildad in chapter 18 and Zophar in chapter 20 have given full arguments on God’s invariably depriving the wicked of the world, taking away from the wayward all their pleasures.) However, Job sees that this scenario is not ALWAYS the case!

So Job asks then notes: “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.” Job 21:7-9

And: “They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.” Job 21:11-13

The ungodly seem to enjoy their children (oftentimes) … but Job’s children are all dead!

The wicked often maintain their wealth and power, and when old age finally comes, and then they die without prolonged suffering. “In a moment” they go to the grave! Yet Job has suffered and suffered for nearly a year now!

“What is God doing,” Job struggles!

Clearly, Job is refuting the “iron clad” theology of his friends … that God (sooner rather than later) always blesses the righteous and always chastens the wicked!

Point blank … the wicked do NOT always suffer!

And the righteous do NOT always have things easy, not in this life!

Job immediately continues with another question: “How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them?” Job 21:17, NOT VERY OFTEN, an exasperated Job believes.

Yes, Job is having another “hard” day.

But, just a minute.

This question … “Why do the wicked prosper?” … is literally found throughout the Bible.

In Psalm 37:35 the godly writer contends: “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.” Prospering again, sounds like!

Some good (still in Psalm 37) advice: “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” Verse 1, do not be jealous of their money or fame or health or whatever!

Now to Psalm 73, where Asaph tells us. “I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the PROSPERITY of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.” Psalm 73:4-5, and Asaph was a godly man!

Even Jeremiah himself poses this very question to God Almighty! “Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments. Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?” Jeremiah 12:1, more than once in the Book of Jeremiah does this question, this problem, surface. See also Jeremiah 5:26-28.

And the answer is?

Such questions must be left in God’s Hands!

But this I do know.

God’s Word is true.

The wicked will not always prosper!

Neither will the righteous always suffer!

And by now, Job agrees.

I shall close the lesson today with a conclusion reached in Psalm 37. It might help someone put this issue in perspective. “The wicked … they SHALL SOON BE CUT DOWN like the grass, and WITHER as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: FRET NOT THYSELF BECAUSE OF HIM WHO PROSPERETH IN HIS (WICKED) WAY, BECAUSE OF THE MAN WHO BRINGETH WICKED DEVICES TO PASS.” Psalm 37:2-7, where “fret” means “to be displeased.” Or even “to be angry!”

God makes no mistakes!

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Yes, we serve a God Who allows us to ask questions!