May the mumbling commence!
There is an age-old question that begs to be answered. Read how Job states the question in Job chapter twenty-one:
Why do the wicked live and become old,
Yes, become mighty in power? (Verse 7)
Indeed, why do apparently wicked people, who may absolutely no pretense of goodness, live long and prosperous lives? Why do the wicked always seem to be mighty in power? I know one thing for sure – I don’t claim to know the answer to that question. I struggle along with many Christians on this very issue.
How about another question? Why is the temptation so high to kick someone when they are down? Why people make accusations that they cannot back up with facts or truth in order to explain the inexplicable? Read the “comforting” words of condemnation from Eliphaz from Job chapter twenty-two:
“For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason,
And stripped the naked of their clothing.
You have not given the weary water to drink,
And you have withheld bread from the hungry.” (Verses 6-7)
“You have sent widows away empty,
And the strength of the fatherless was crushed”. (Verse 9)
These accusations would be quite damaging – damning even – if they were true. They might explain what has happened to Job. But, if they have no basis in fact, where is the comfort in these words? In this inexplicable situation, is Job on trial before his “friends”? Well, with “friends” like that, Job needs no enemies! These words are like rubbing salt in an open and bleeding wound. Then, comes Eliphaz’s words of sweetness in an attempt to soften the blow of these accusations:
"Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;
Thereby good will come to you.
Receive, please, instruction from His mouth,
And lay up His words in your heart.
If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up;
You will remove iniquity far from your tents.” (22:21-23)
Know God and know peace. Reject God and there can be no peace. There is a path to God – Eliphaz declares. There is hope for being delivered, for being saved.
“He will even deliver one who is not innocent;
Yes, he will be delivered by the purity of your hands." (22:30)
Yes! God will deliver even one who is not innocent. Maybe God saving the less than innocent is a partial explanation of why the wicked seem to flourish. It is God’s patience and love for everyone.
And thank God – for Job and for all his “friends”! Thank God for you and me! Where does delivery come from? It does not come from Job or anyone else who seems righteous in our sight – as Eliphaz seems to suggest. Our delivery comes from Jesus the Christ. It is because of the purity Christ’s hands that we are saved.
And there may be another reason for the wicked seeming to prosper in our eyes. Read from Proverbs chapter eleven:
There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
The people will curse him who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
(Verses 24-26)
You see, wicked people are more likely to be callous to the needs of others. The wicked will hold onto their products until they are at their peak value and sell for profit. Indeed, profit is the only bottom line that the wicked have. Wow, that sounds like capitalism with check. May the buyer beware!
But, this is not the way of God and true prosperity. True prosperity is interwoven between all creation and God, its creator. When we prosper, it should be together. When we suffer, that too should be together.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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