Why do the wicked prosper?

Answer

The prophet Jeremiah wrestled with the issue when he questioned the Lord: “Why do the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts” (Jeremiah 12:1-2). Job faced a similar struggle: “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” «Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, are mighty in power? », (Job 21:7). The psalmist also expressed envy when observing the prosperity of the wicked, questioning if living righteously was worthwhile «For I was envious at the foolish, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. », (Psalm 73:3,13) «Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. », (Psalm 73:3,13). How can a holy God of love permit His people to suffer while the wicked flourish?

Perhaps a more pertinent question is, why do we feel tempted to envy the wicked? As God’s children, what is the core of our inquiry? Why do we feel disturbed when an evil person prospers? Is it because that individual possesses something we lack?

The wicked may thrive in this world, but we may have overlooked that their prosperity is only temporary. We may have lost sight of our eternal reward and the ultimate destiny of the wicked. We require this reminder: “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, andHe will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:1-7).

It’s natural to wonder why God is gracious and merciful to people when they do not deserve His mercy—when their hearts are hard and stubborn. This response is typical; it’s human to desire appropriate consequences for bad behavior. Forgiving our enemies does not come easily. Perhaps we forget that many of us once were hard-hearted and stubborn. We, too, deserved God’s judgment. But God extended His love and grace toward us so that we might receive His salvation: “All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature, we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” (Ephesians 2:3-5;NLT).

One answer to the question “Why do the wicked prosper?” is that even the wicked have a purpose to fulfill in God’s plan. God raised up the Babylonians, a “ruthless and impetuous people” for a reason (Habakkuk 1:6;cf: Jeremiah 27:6). God raised up the Persian king Cyrus to accomplish all that God pleased «that saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.», (Isaiah 44:28).

(Isaiah 44:28). God raised up the Egyptians and Assyrians in His righteous judgment of disobedient Judah “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.”, (Isaiah 7:18).

Perhaps the best answer to the question “Why do the wicked prosper?” is this: because God loves sinners (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). He is compassionate, merciful, and patient with wicked people because He wants them to be saved. Second Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God is slow to anger, abounding in love. He is a compassionate God who gives certain blessings to all people “that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”, (Matthew 5:45) and who desires all to be saved. His patience with the wicked is an opportunity for them to be saved: “And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved” “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;”, (2 Peter 3:15, NLT).

We might want to see the wicked destroyed immediately, but God has a sovereign plan that needs to move forward. And in His love and grace, He wants them to be saved. God’s patience with the wicked is an opportunity for us to pray for them.

Let us be messengers and witnesses to them so that they will understand God’s heart toward them. We are summoned to inform the sinful of His marvelous salvation and to caution them about the consequences they can anticipate if they persist in being unyielding toward God and do not veer from their obstinate path.