The Prosperity of the Wicked
Steadfast in the Pursuit of God • Sermon • Submitted
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· 158 viewsBelievers struggle when the Wicked Prosper
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Open: Walter Rauff was an SS colonel who was responsible for the deaths of approximately 100,000 people during WW2. He developed mobile gas chambers which allowed for mass exterminations of Jews in the field. After the war he escaped to Chile where he lived and worked under his real name until his death in 1984. German and Chilean mourners at his funeral gave Nazi salutes and chanted “Heil Hitler.”
Open: Walter Rauff was an SS colonel who was responsible for the deaths of approximately 100,000 people during WW2. He developed mobile gas chambers which allowed for mass exterminations of Jews in the field. After the war he escaped to Chile where he lived and worked under his real name until his death in 1984. German and Chilean mourners at his funeral gave Nazi salutes and chanted “Heil Hitler.”
The fact the Rauff was not brought to justice infuriated many people, including the forces that attempted for years to have him extradited to face criminal charges. It is beyond our ability to understand how Jewish citizens felt while knowing that this evil man was living comfortably and being protected by the Chilean government.
While not familiar with Nazis who escaped paying for their war crimes, Job was familiar with evil people who lived long and comfortable lives. This truth bothered him as well, and it is the subject of the 21st chapter of the book. Let’s turn together and read this morning’s text:
The Prosperous Life of the Wicked can upset the faith of the Righteous (Job 21:7-13)
The Prosperous Life of the Wicked can upset the faith of the Righteous (Job 21:7-13)
Explanation: This is another one of the very significant issues that the Book of Job deals with. Job had just finished listening to “counselor” Zophar telling him that the life of the wicked was short and painful (20:5) and that the wicked man would not be able to enjoy his wealth (20:10). Zophar’s dialogue on how terrible a life the wicked experienced during their brief existence bothered Job.
The trouble was that Zophar’s comments did not square up with reality. In Job’s life, he had witnessed the prosperity of the wicked, and. According to the three friends, God always rewarded the righteous immediately and always punished the wicked in a swift and sure manner. Job knew this was not true.
Job not only struggled with why God allowed the wicked to live (v. 7a), he was really bothered with why God allowed the wicked to prosper (vv. 8-13)
Job really struggled with why God allowed the wicked to prosper (vv. 8-13)
Remember, Job had committed no sin, but he was experiencing tremendous suffering. His friends were telling him his condition was the result of hidden and unconfessed sin, and until he repented he would continue to suffer, just like the wicked people suffered. The problem with this diagnosis is that it did not match reality. Job looked at his own misery as a righteous man and then compared it to the carefree prosperity of those he knew were unrighteous. This comparison led him to his struggle with God. Job knew God was responsible for this and it did not make sense to him. This reality bothered him.
Job did not want God to punish the children of the wicked, he wanted God to punish the wicked during their own lifetime (vv. 19-21)
It is clear that Job had given this issue serious thought. He was troubled by the simplistic approach of his three friends that did not add up to reality, but he was even more troubled about WHY a Sovereign God allowed wicked people to live and prosper. He knew his friends were wrong, but he still struggled with a good God who let this type of thing occur, evidently with some regularity.
Illustrate: I struggle with this when I pass by a certain business that is prospering under the leadership of known sin.
Righteous are you, O Lord,
when I complain to you;
yet I would plead my case before you.
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
You plant them, and they take root;
they grow and produce fruit;
you are near in their mouth
and far from their heart.
Argument: Job was not the only person who had problems with this issue. The prophet Jeremiah had a conversation with the Lord about this same thing
Jeremiah 12:1-1
“Righteous are you, O LORD, when I complain to You; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart.” ()
Application: The Bible does not try to hide issues that cause people to struggle. [This is another evidence that the Bible is God’s Word to man instead of a book written by men about a god they invented. Such a book would not contain issues that are so troubling]. God does not expect our faith to be blind to reality, but He does call us to Himself when we struggle with the hard issues of life. As we pray for wisdom () God will reveal more and more of Himself. And we can learn from God’s response to Jeremiah (). In essence, God is telling Jeremiah to trust Him, even if he (Jeremiah) doesn’t understand.
The Wicked Prosper in spite of their Rejection of God ()
The Wicked Prosper in spite of their Rejection of God ()
Explanation: Even more amazing than their continued prosperity, they lived good lives in spite of blaspheming God! This is not ignorance - they were not unaware of God; no, they knew about Him, but they rejected Him! They actually told God to go away and not to bother them. In essence, they were saying “we can handle this by ourselves. We are doing just fine without You.”
Illustrate: Rick, the contractor who lived in Old Mtn Village I met on FAITH visitation while at SPBC. Family was in good health, had a nice home and nice cars, and had just received a promotion at work. “Life is going so good; why do I need to go to church? Why do I need God in my life?”
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Argument: This attitude is a very dangerous one to have. When a person believes he or she doesn’t need God, he is in a bad and scary place. We have a tendency to think of God as a being something like us, just way bigger and much more powerful. That is man-centered thinking and it is blasphemous. God is not like us - He is in a totally separate category. He is the Creator and we are creatures. He is All Powerful and All knowing and He is Eternal and lives in unapproachable life. He holds our very next breath () and He is the One who will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7)
Application: All of us need to realize that we do not make it on our own. God is the One who gives us life and health. If we got out of bed this morning, it is because He allowed it. He is the only source of life, whether or not He is given credit for it. As His creatures, as those who are made in His image, our response should be one of gratitude. A healthy reverent fear of God is good and proper
The continued Prosperity of the Wicked in this Life is a Strong Prompt for expecting God’s Justice in the next life ()
The continued Prosperity of the Wicked in this Life is a Strong Prompt for expecting God’s Justice in the next life ()
Explanation: Zophar had told Job that the children of the Wicked would suffer for the sins of their parents (20:10), but Job wasn’t satisfied with that idea. Job did not want God to punish the children of the wicked, he wanted God to punish them during their own lifetime (20:19-21). Job knew that once these people were dead and gone they would not even know what happened to their children, much less care. Job wanted to see the justice of God right then!
Illustrate: Some chuckle-head is riding your bumper for several miles. He finally passes you in a dangerous manner, then speeds off. What joy will fill our hearts if we see this guy pulled over by the police 5 miles further down the road!
Argument: While justice does occasionally work like this, most of the time we are not present to see someone get what’s coming. Most of the time we are left without even knowing if he or she gets what’s coming. And this is where the justice of God makes an appearance.
Job did not want God to punish the children of the wicked, he wanted God to punish the wicked during their own lifetime (vv. 19-21)
This life is not the only one we will experience. An eternity awaits for each human soul, and the reality is that no one escapes the Justice of God. No one gets away with anything! None of the Nazis who escaped justice following WW 2 and lived out their lives peacefully in South America will evade the justice of God. No wealthy slum lord who devours widows and heartlessly evicts the poor by means of high paid lawyers will win his case in God’s courtroom. No rapist or murderer who gets off on lack of evidence will find the same verdict at the final judgment
When, not if, the books are opened (; ) the Lord God will settle His justice for all who have ever lived in rejection of His goodness and grace. Every single individual who ever attempted to do life his or her way will be present before the GWT, and each one will receive justice.
Application: The psalmist also struggled with the prosperity of the wicked (-2-11). Looking at the seemingly carefree and blessed lives of those who rejected God the psalmist even questioned whether serving God was worth it (v. 13). His answer, like ours, is found with the LORD. In the house of God during worship, God enlightened him with the understanding of the end of the wicked. God opened his eyes to see their destruction (vv. 16-19), and he turned to God in a spirit of thanksgiving.
Conclusion: As we bring this service to a close, I would ask each present to consider the goodness and grace of God. He is the giver of Life, and He is the One who gives common grace. God allows the sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (). God is the One who gives life and health, even to those who reject Him, and it could be for the purpose that these wicked would hear the Good News of the Gospel and repent and believe.
This is the point of tension for the believer. We look at the wicked and in our heart we don’t want them to repent and trust Christ - we want them to pay for their sins and wickedness. And of course, this reveals our own problem - we want others to get what we think they deserve, but we ourselves want grace instead. Realize we are all guilty before a Holy God, and all of us are in need of His grace. If this is your struggle, ask God to keep your heart free of envy or bitterness, and trust His wisdom in this very difficult area.
And of course, there is our own problem - we want others to get what we think they deserve, but we ourselves want grace instead.
If you are living outside of the fellowship of Christ, I want you to consider God’s goodness for your life. He has given common grace for your life, and has continued to let you live. But know this - outside of repenting of your sins and trusting Jesus as the only payment that God will accept - you will one day face the unrelenting and inescapable Justice of God. If the Holy Spirit is convicting you I would share God’s truth from the prophet and pray you would allow God to save you.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” ()