Sunday, September 25, 2011
WHY DO THE WICKED PROSPER?
Job 15, 18, 20, 21
This morning we are going to take our subject matter from Job 15-21. In these seven chapters, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar will each speak once, and Job will respond to each one of them. Remember that this is the second go around, and there will yet be a third. Immediately we might ask, “Is the second cycle any different than the first?” Not too much, and that is why we are going to cover these chapters much more quickly. In general, Job’s three friends continue to say the same things they have been saying all along, rehashing the same theme. While Job also repeats things that he has said before, there is more movement in Job than in his friends. Perhaps that is because Job is experiencing such great physical, emotional, and spiritual turmoil as a result of the things that have happened to him.
It is obvious that we are not going to cover these chapters in as much depth as we have covered the first 14. That’s okay, because you have been reading them for yourselves. You are much better at reading Job than you were a few months ago, because you have the experience of wading through the first 14 chapters. So what exactly do we want to draw out of these seven chapters? We are going to start with the theme that we have already been over a great deal. Why? Because that is the main subject of these chapters. Not only is it the main theme of chapters 15-21, but it is also presents questions that no thoughtful person can avoid? The questions go something like this: “What happens to wicked people? Does God oppose them at every turn and make their lives miserable? Can wicked people get away with their evil attitudes and deeds? Does it sometimes seem that whether a person follows the Lord or not, life is about the same?” We might aptly title our discussion “The Fate of the Wicked.”
This is the way we are going to tackle our subject matter. First of all, we are going to read four sections out of these chapters -- one from Eliphaz, one from Bildad, one from Zophar, and one from Job. Each one of these sections focuses very pointedly on the fate of the wicked. We will also be looking at one other passage of scripture that bears on this same subject. As we look at these passages, we will compare them and see how Job’s viewpoint differs from that of his three friends. Because we are going to spend a good bit of time reading scripture, put on your Bible-listening ears and let’s dig in. I will make a few comments as we read, just to help us get the flow of what is being said.
Eliphaz -- Job 15:20-35
20 The wicked man writhes with pain all his days, And the number of years is hidden from the oppressor… (The oppressor here is the same as the wicked man. The basic idea is that his years will be few, as Young’s Literal translation: “And few years have been laid up for the terrible one.”) …21 Dreadful sounds are in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer comes upon him… (Even when things seem to be going well, a destroyer will attack him. Either God, whose law he has broken, a vicious man, or a destroying angel, such as the one who killed the firstborn in Egypt)… 22 He does not believe that he will return from darkness, For a sword is waiting for him… (This speaks of fear. The wicked doesn’t believe he will ever escape the darkness.)… 23 He wanders about for bread, saying, 'Where is it?' He knows that a day of darkness is ready at his hand. 24 Trouble and anguish make him afraid; They overpower him, like a king ready for battle. 25 For he stretches out his hand against God, And acts defiantly against the Almighty, 26 Running stubbornly against Him With his strong, embossed shield… (It is the wicked man who has the strong, thick shield to protect him from God)… 27 "Though he has covered his face with his fatness, And made his waist heavy with fat,… (This is a picture of a man who indulges himself in the good things of this world. We might compare this with Deut. 32:15, where the name “Jeshurun” is used for Israel: "But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; You grew fat, you grew thick, You are obese! Then he forsook God who made him, And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.” Now let’s read 27 again with 28)… 28 He dwells in desolate cities, In houses which no one inhabits, Which are destined to become ruins. 29 He will not be rich, Nor will his wealth continue, Nor will his possessions overspread the earth. 30 He will not depart from darkness; The flame will dry out his branches, And by the breath of His mouth (God’s mouth) he will go away. 31 Let him not trust in futile things, deceiving himself, For futility will be his reward. 32 It will be accomplished before his time,… (ESV: It will be paid in full before his time…)…. And his branch will not be green. 33 He will shake off his unripe grape like a vine, And cast off his blossom like an olive tree. 34 For the company of hypocrites will be barren, And fire will consume the tents of bribery. 35 They conceive trouble and bring forth futility; Their womb prepares deceit… (That is, their inward parts devise schemes to deceive others)… "
Bildad -- Job 18:5-21
5 "The light of the wicked indeed goes out, And the flame of his fire does not shine. 6 The light is dark in his tent, And his lamp beside him is put out. 7 The steps of his strength are shortened, And his own counsel casts him down. 8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, And he walks into a snare. 9 The net takes him by the heel, And a snare lays hold of him. 10 A noose is hidden for him on the ground, And a trap for him in the road. 11 Terrors frighten him on every side, And drive him to his feet… (on his feet to run; “put him to flight”)… 12 His strength is starved, And destruction is ready at his side. 13 It devours patches of his skin; The firstborn of death… (ideas differ; “firstborn” can speak of strength and might, as in Gen. 49:3, and may here be speaking of the most fearful and destructive disease that death employs)… devours his limbs. 14 He is uprooted from the shelter of his tent, And they parade him before the king of terrors. 15 They dwell in his tent who are none of his; Brimstone is scattered on his dwelling. 16 His roots are dried out below, And his branch withers above. 17 The memory of him perishes from the earth, And he has no name among the renowned. 18 He is driven from light into darkness, And chased out of the world. 19 He has neither son nor posterity among his people, Nor any remaining in his dwellings. 20 Those in the west are astonished at his day, As those in the east are frightened. 21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, And this is the place of him who does not know God."
Zophar -- Job 20:4-29
4 "Do you not know this of old, Since man was placed on earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment? 6Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, And his head reaches to the clouds, 7 Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?' 8 He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night. 9The eye that saw him will see him no more, Nor will his place behold him anymore. 10 His children will seek the favor of the poor, And his hands will restore his wealth… (New Living Translation: “Their children will beg from the poor, for they must give back their stolen riches.” But since the literal is “his hands,” it may well be that the rich man is compelled by force to give back what is his, so that he has nothing to leave his children)… 11 His bones are full of his youthful vigor, But it will lie down with him in the dust. 12 "Though evil is sweet in his mouth, And he hides it under his tongue, 13 Though he spares it and does not forsake it, But still keeps it in his mouth, 14 Yet his food in his stomach turns sour; It becomes cobra venom within him. 15 He swallows down riches And vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly. 16 He will suck the poison of cobras; The viper's tongue will slay him. 17 He will not see the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and cream. 18 He will restore that for which he labored, And will not swallow it down; From the proceeds of business He will get no enjoyment. 19 For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor, He has violently seized a house which he did not build. 20 "Because he knows no quietness in his heart, He will not save anything he desires. 21 Nothing is left for him to eat; Therefore his well-being will not last. 22 In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress; Every hand of misery will come against him. 23 When he is about to fill his stomach, God will cast on him the fury of His wrath, And will rain it on him while he is eating. 24 He will flee from the iron weapon; A bronze bow will pierce him through. 25 It is drawn, and comes out of the body; Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors come upon him; 26 Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. An unfanned fire will consume him; It shall go ill with him who is left in his tent. 27 The heavens will reveal his iniquity, And the earth will rise up against him. 28 The increase of his house will depart, And his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath. 29 This is the portion from God for a wicked man, The heritage appointed to him by God."
JOB -- Job 21:7-21 … As we look at what Job says about the wicked, I want to contrast his statements with what his friends have said.
7 Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power?
… 20:4-9 "Do you not know this of old, Since man was placed on earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment? 6 Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, And his head reaches to the clouds, 7 Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?' 8 He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night. 9 The eye that saw him will see him no more, Nor will his place behold him anymore.
… 18:7 “The steps of his strength are shortened.”
… 18:12 “His strength is starved”
8 Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes.
… 18:19 He has neither son nor posterity among his people, Nor any remaining in his dwellings.
... 20:10 His children will seek the favor of the poor, And his hands will restore his wealth.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.
...18:14-15 He is uprooted from the shelter of his tent, And they parade him before the king of terrors. 15 They dwell in his tent who are none of his; Brimstone is scattered on his dwelling.
… 20:23-25 When he is about to fill his stomach, God will cast on him the fury of His wrath, And will rain it on him while he is eating. 24 He will flee from the iron weapon; A bronze bow will pierce him through. 25 It is drawn, and comes out of the body; Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors come upon him;
... 20:29 This is the portion from God for a wicked man, The heritage appointed to him by God.
10 Their bull breeds without failure; Their cow calves without miscarriage.
Job is obviously saying that the wicked prosper. Rather than just stating the fact, he uses a concrete illustration.
...15:23 He wanders about for bread, saying, 'Where is it?'
...15:29 He will not be rich, Nor will his wealth continue, Nor will his possessions overspread the earth.
…15:32b-33…And his branch will not be green. 33He will shake off his unripe grape like a vine, And cast off his blossom like an olive tree.
…20:15 He swallows down riches And vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly.
…20:17-18 He will not see the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and cream.He will restore that for which he labored, And will not swallow it down; From the proceeds of business He will get no enjoyment.
… 20:28 The increase of his house will depart, And his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.
... 20:10 His children will seek the favor of the poor, And his hands will restore his wealth.
12 They sing to the tambourine and harp, And rejoice to the sound of the flute.
... 15:20-21 The wicked man writhes with pain all his days, And the number of years is hidden from the oppressor. 21 Dreadful sounds are in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer comes upon him.
13 They spend their days in wealth, And in a moment go down to the grave.
Job is saying that they don’t linger and suffer, but are taken in a moment. In other words, they enjoy their wealth right up to the time of their death.
… 15:23-24 He wanders about for bread, saying, 'Where is it?' He knows that a day of darkness is ready at his hand. 24 Trouble and anguish make him afraid; They overpower him, like a king ready for battle.
… 20:15-18 He swallows down riches And vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly. 16He will suck the poison of cobras; The viper's tongue will slay him. 17 He will not see the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and cream. 18 He will restore that for which he labored, And will not swallow it down; From the proceeds of business He will get no enjoyment.
… 20:21-22 Nothing is left for him to eat; Therefore his well-being will not last. 22 In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress; Every hand of misery will come against him.
14 Yet they say to God, 'Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways. 15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?'
This is where Job and his friends agree. All of them point to the fact that the wicked despise God. This is the very thing that constitutes their wickedness. While Job emphasizes the attitude of the wicked, his friends focus on the actions that result from such an attitude. Notice some statements that express general agreement with Job’s words.
…15:25-26 For he stretches out his hand against God, And acts defiantly against the Almighty, 26 Running stubbornly against Him With his strong, embossed shield.
…15:34-35 For the company of hypocrites will be barren, And fire will consume the tents of bribery. 35 They conceive trouble and bring forth futility; Their womb prepares deceit.
…18:21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, And this is the place of him who does not know God.
… 20:5-7a That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment? 6 Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, And his head reaches to the clouds, 7 Yet he will perish forever…
... 20:19 For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor, He has violently seized a house which he did not build.
16 Indeed their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me. 17 "How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? How often does their destruction come upon them, The sorrows God distributes in His anger? 18 They are like straw before the wind, And like chaff that a storm carries away.
Notice the questions of verse 17, “How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? How often does their destruction come upon them, the sorrow God distributes in His anger?” It seems best to take 18 as a question, as most translations do. It is just a continuation of verse 17. ESV, “That they are like straw before the wind, and like chaff that the storm carries away?” Job’s implied answer to these questions is very obviously, “Not often at all.” That’s what he has been saying throughout this chapter. While he has been doing so positively, stating that the wicked live a life of wealth and ease, now he does so negatively by questioning how often they get what they deserve. Note how his friends have stated quite the opposite. While Job answers these questions with a “No,” his friends would answer the question with a “Yes.”
…18:5-6 The light of the wicked indeed goes out, And the flame of his fire does not shine. 6 The light is dark in his tent, And his lamp beside him is put out.
… 15:21-22 Dreadful sounds are in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer comes upon him. 22 He does not believe that he will return from darkness, For a sword is waiting for him.
… 20:23-29 When he is about to fill his stomach, God will cast on him the fury of His wrath, And will rain it on him while he is eating. 24 He will flee from the iron weapon; A bronze bow will pierce him through. 25 It is drawn, and comes out of the body; Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors come upon him; 26 Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. An unfanned fire will consume him; It shall go ill with him who is left in his tent. 27 The heavens will reveal his iniquity, And the earth will rise up against him. 28 The increase of his house will depart, And his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath. 29 This is the portion from God for a wicked man, The heritage appointed to him by God.
19They say, 'God lays up one's iniquity for his children'; Let Him recompense him, that he may know it. 20 Let his eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21 For what does he care about his household after him, When the number of his months is cut in half?
Job closes by citing an objection that his friends would have. They would say, “Job, even if you are right, that a wicked man does not often get what he deserves, God still brings him to account by bringing evil upon his children.” Having little patience with such a concept, Job cries out, “Let God recompense the man himself, so that he may feel the pain. Let his eyes see his own destruction. Yes, let him drink the wrath of the Almighty. What difference does it make to him if his children suffer? All he cares about is himself.”
So in this second cycle of dialogue, we see this great difference of opinion between Job and his friends. His friends say that the wicked are filled with pain, poverty, and fear. Their lives are marked by weakness and certain destruction. Job flatly disputes this claim, asserting just the opposite. He says that the wicked live lives of ease and prosperity, with hardly a care in the world. Both of these opinions cannot be right, can they? What is the truth of the matter?
Let’s pause for just a moment before we answer that question. This issue of how God deals with the wicked is no small thing. Nor is its importance restricted to Job’s day. It is still a question that is asked today? There are those who teach that following the Lord will lead to prosperity in this life, while rejecting Him will bring great difficulty in this life. On the other hand, perhaps some of you have questioned why some wicked people seem to fare better than true believers. The fate of the wicked is something we cannot ignore.
Let’s put the question like this: Is it true, as Job’s friends affirm, that the wicked do not prosper, that they will be rewarded in this life with pain and suffering (with more pain and suffering than the righteous)? I would like to answer that question from three angles. First, we must remember what we read last week from Job 42:7, "And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath." While Job definitely said some things that were not absolutely correct, because of God’s verdict, we put more stock in what Job says that what his friends say. Therefore, this will lead us to seriously question the idea that the wicked will be rewarded with more pain and suffering than the righteous in this present life.
Next, we must turn to a specific passage of scripture that ponders this same question about the fate of the wicked. It is a classic passage that is quite well known. While there are other biblical passages that deal with this same issue, I find this to be the one that treats it most thoroughly. Does anyone know what passage I am talking about? Yes, it is Psalm 73. Let’s just read Psalm 73:1-16 (NKJV)…
A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men. 6Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment. 7 Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. 8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them. 11 And they say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?" 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. 13Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning. 15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. 16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me…
Asaph was a man who wrote a dozen of the Psalms. In this one he expresses the same concerns that Job expressed. He had trouble reconciling the goodness and justice of God with the prosperity of wicked people. Why should evil men who had no regard for God get along better in life than he (Asaph), who desired to live a holy life that honored God? This state of affairs made no sense to Asaph, just as it also baffled Job.
Let’s take a minute to go back through some of Job 21. This time, instead of contrasting what Job said with the view of his friends, let’s contrast what he says about the wicked with his own experience. As we do, we will see how painful this was for Job.
7 Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power? Job had lost all hope of growing old. While he had been a mighty and influential man, now he has been reduced to nothing. 8 Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes. What about Job’s offspring? Instead of him enjoying his children and grandchildren as wicked men do, he has none. Remember that all ten of his children had been taken from him. 9 Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them. The term “rod” has a variety of meanings in scripture, but here it is used as a symbol for correction and punishment. We see this in Prov. 10:13, “In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.” Again, with reference to the coming power of the Messiah in Ps. 2:9, "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." While Job felt the intense pain of God’s rod upon himself, he noticed that the wicked neither experience such punishment nor even fear it.
10 Their bull breeds without failure; Their cow calves without miscarriage. Job’s cattle didn’t breed, because they had all been taken away from him. 11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance. Now with great pain, Job has to remember again that he has no children to dance or do anything else. 12 They sing to the tambourine and harp, And rejoice to the sound of the flute. The last thing Job wants to do is rejoice with singing. He sees absolutely no reason to celebrate. 13 They spend their days in wealth, And in a moment go down to the grave. Job lost more wealth than most men would ever accumulate. Job had prayed that he might be able to quickly go down to the grave, but his prayer had not been answered. 14Yet they say to God, 'Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways. 15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?' Job had hot despised God, as the wicked did. He had never said, “Who is the Almighty?” This is why he was so perplexed at the prosperity of the wicked. Why should God prosper those who opposed Him?
Do you get the idea? When we look at Job’s experience, it is not difficult to understand his confusion. The same confusion can exist today. That is why a Jewish rabbi wrote a book entitled When Bad Things Happen to Good People (by Harold Kushner). People try to make sense out of evil in this world, especially when evil descends upon “good people” rather than upon the wicked.
Come toward the end of the chapter and listen to Job’s conclusion at this point. Read Job 21:22-34…
22 "Can anyone teach God knowledge, Since He judges those on high? 23One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and secure; 24 His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moist. 25 Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure. 26 They lie down alike in the dust, And worms cover them. 27 "Look, I know your thoughts, And the schemes with which you would wrong me. 28 For you say, 'Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent, The dwelling place of the wicked?' 29 Have you not asked those who travel the road? And do you not know their signs? 30 For the wicked are reserved for the day of doom; They shall be brought out on the day of wrath. 31 Who condemns his way to his face? And who repays him for what he has done? 32 Yet he shall be brought to the grave, And a vigil kept over the tomb. 33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him; Everyone shall follow him, As countless have gone before him. 34 How then can you comfort me with empty words, Since falsehood remains in your answers?"
Job implies that death is the same for everyone, regardless of what life held. He is contradicting his friends’ view that the wicked are judged severely by God. He then predicts the arguments of his friends, who will surely say, “Then where is the house of the wicked ruler?” The implication is that it will not be found because God has destroyed it. Job counters by saying, “Can’t you see the highway signs of those with experience? They will clearly tell you the truth about the wicked.” That truth is found in verse 30, where translations will differ. I believe the ESV and others best bring out the sense of Job’s words: “that the evil man is spared in the day of calamity, that he is rescued in the day of wrath?” (21:30, ESV). Job continues to maintain that the wicked never get what they deserve.
While Job is certainly correct in his claim that the wicked often prosper in this world, he has not yet seen the whole truth. It is in Asaph’s Psalm 73 that we find the resolution to this problem. We read down through verse 16. Now let’s start in verse 16 and read through the end of the chapter. Read Ps. 73:16-22 (NKJV)…
16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me-- 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. 18 Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image. 21 Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind. 22 I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You
It was when he went into the sanctuary of God that he received understanding. In other words, it is only the Lord Himself who can reveal to us the truth in this matter. And what is the truth? While the wicked may prosper in this world, they do have an end. In the end, God will cast them down to destruction. They are brought to desolation in a moment and are utterly consumed with terrors. Asaph regretted that he had spoken such foolish things in his ignorance, but he is encouraged in his God. Let’s read the conclusion in 73:23-28 (NKJV)…
Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. 24 You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works.
Back to the question, “Is it true, as Job’s friends affirm, that the wicked do not prosper, that they will be rewarded in this life with pain and suffering (with more pain and suffering than the righteous)?” Now let’s answer it from the third angle. Numerous examples in scripture answer this question with an emphatic “No.” Let’s consider an example of the wicked prospering and another of the righteous being afflicted. Do you remember that famous ruling team of Ahab and Jezebel? Did they prosper? Indeed they did. Ahab was the king of Israel and Jezebel was his wife, his right hand in prosecuting evil. They did what they wanted, and it seemed that they were never called to account. When Ahab desired to have a plot of land that belonged to another man, what did he do? At first he pouted because Naboth wouldn’t sell him the land, but then Jezebel reminded him that he was the king and could do whatever he wanted to do. She proceeded to execute a plan wherein Naboth ended up dead and the land belonged to Ahab. It appeared that they got away with murder. Ahab and Jezebel opposed the prophet Elijah and forced him to spend years in hiding. It would seem that God didn’t intercede on behalf of his prophet. Was there no justice in the case of Ahab and Jezebel? God’s justice prevailed in the end. Ahab died and was remembered as one of the worst, if not the worst, king the nation ever had. For Jezebel, the end was even more graphic. She was thrown out a window to splatter on the pavement, and the dogs licked up her blood, just as had been prophesied. As Psalm 73 portrays, they lived in peace and safety throughout their lives, but they met a bitter end.
On the other hand, for an example from the opposite direction we come again to Joseph. He received what might seem to be the reward of the wicked. He was sold by his brothers and framed by his master’s wife. He landed in prison, and even when God used him to interpret the dreams of a high official, that man forgot about him. Like Job, Joseph was a righteous man. Like Job, he faced very difficult circumstances. If Joseph had died in that prison, it would not have tarnished the record of a faithful and gracious God, because we know that death is not the end. Nevertheless, in Joseph’s case God saw fit to prosper him during this life. Because of the grace God gave him to interpret dreams, he was lifted out of prison and made Pharaoh’s right hand. As a result, all his family was delivered from starvation and reunited with Joseph.
Conclusion
Let’s conclude once and for all that the wicked often prosper in this life, while the righteous sometimes experience deep and painful affliction. No man can gauge the spirituality of a person by looking at his outward circumstances, but that is exactly what Job’s friends were trying to do.
This morning we must end on a very sober note. Though God’s rewards in this life are not proportionate to a man’s obedience, rest assured that the Lord will make all things right in the end. That does not mean everyone will get what he deserves. If that were the case, we would all be doomed to eternal destruction, because all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to our own way (Is. 53:6) We have despised God and honored men. And the wages of sin is death, even eternal separation from the mercies of God (Rom. 6:23). Bluntly, we all deserve hell. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together with Christ -- not because we deserved it, but by grace we were saved (Eph. 2:4-5).
When God sets all things right at the judgment, that state of affairs will continue forever and ever and ever. “…It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). At the point of death, the fate of all people is sealed forever. How shall we respond to this truth? If you have not been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, if you have not been born of the Spirit, if you have not been delivered from darkness and death, cry out to God for mercy. Ask Him to soften your hard heart. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, who at the cross took on Himself the wrath of God that you might go free. If that doesn’t move you, your heart is indeed hard. But praise God that He can melt the hardest heart and cleanse the filthiest life. Run to Jesus.
If you are a child of God, you can rejoice. Regardless of your outward circumstances, you can rejoice, for you know that these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (II Cor. 4:17). We are the children of God, and it doesn’t yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is (I Jn. 3:2). Therefore, let us count it all joy when we fall into various trials, knowing that the trying of our faith produces steadfast endurance (James 1:2-3). Let us keep on looking for that blessed hope, and the appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (Tit. 2:13-14).
