Link to full passage on Bible Gateway
The
Light of the Wicked Goes Out
Bildad and Zophar assert that severe
trials are God’s judgment upon the wicked for their deeds. But Job contends
that the opposite is true. He says that the rod of God is not on the wicked. And
even though they despise God and His ways and oppress the poor and needy, the
wicked live out their lives in prosperity and power. Why does God allow this?
Solomon (for all his wisdom) could not make sense of this. He wrote, “I have
seen everything during my lifetime of futility, there is a righteous man who
perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life
in his wickedness (Ecclesiastes 7:15). The prophet Habakkuk asked God, “Why are
You silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they?”
(Habakkuk 1:13). The writer of Hebrews describes many righteous people who
suffered at the hands of the wicked. These were men and women of whom the world
was not worthy (Hebrews 11:38). Job rightly concludes that the wicked are
reserved for the day of calamity (Job 21:30-31). Peter gives us insight to why God
allows the wicked to live long and full lives; “But God desires that no man
should perish but that all come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). And Paul explains
that it is the patience and tolerance and kindness of God that leads the
unrighteous to repentance. Dear Father, please help us to rest in You and wait
patiently for You when we suffer because of evildoers. Please be our strength in
times of trouble (Psalms 37). You love justice and do not forsake Your godly
ones, yet You are merciful and patient, that all may come to repentance. Help us
to humble ourselves before You and pray for those who don’t know You that we might
all depart from evil and do good and dwell forever with You in joy and peace
and righteousness and love.
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