The prosperity of the wicked--
and the adversity of the righteous!
(Arthur Pink, "No Marvels" 1952)
"If you see oppression of the poor, and
perversion of justice and righteousness
throughout the land--do not marvel at
the matter." Ecclesiastes 5:8
In the midst of his soliloquizings and
moralizings, King Solomon interjected
an occasional counsel or exhortation:
"Moreover, I saw under the sun that in
the place of justice, there was wickedness;
and that in the place of righteousness,
wickedness was there also."
(Ecclesiastes3:16),
and he bids his readers not to be
surprised or stumbled thereat.
It was a timely word, for such passages
as Job 12:6 and 21:7; Psalm 73:2-12;
Jeremiah 12:1 show that the Old Testament
saints were deeply exercised over
the prosperity of the wicked--
and the adversity of the righteous.
Solomon, therefore, seeks to remove this
stumbling-block and prevent their taking
offense at, or murmuring against, GOD'S
divine government.
Fallen human nature being what it is,
we should not think it strange that
the strong oppress the weak, or that
justice should be corrupted by those in
high places. Man is made to reap the bitter
harvest of his apostasy from GOD.
Yet, however perplexed we may be over
the success which so often rewards
the workers of iniquity, let us be assured
that nothing escapes the notice of the Most
High GOD, that HE "regards" and has wise
reasons for permitting the frequent miscarriage
of human justice by the magistrates and
rulers of earth. There is ONE infinitely above
to whom they must yet render an account,
and from whom they will receive
"a just recompense of reward."
(Hebrews 2:2)
"But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied
the arrogant when I saw the prosperity
of the wicked. They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from the burdens common
to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe
themselves with violence. From their callous
hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their
minds know no limits.
This is what the wicked are like--
always carefree, they increase in wealth.
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me--
until I entered the sanctuary of GOD;
then I understood their final destiny!
Surely YOU place them on slippery ground;
You cast them down to ruin. How suddenly
are they destroyed, completely swept away
by terrors!" Psalm 73:2-17
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