"Why do the wicked continue to live, growing old and becoming powerful? Their children are established while they are still alive, and their descendants, before their eyes. Their homes are secure and free of fear; no rod from God [strikes] them. Their bulls breed without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry. They let their little ones run around like lambs; their children skip about, singing to the tambourine and lyre and rejoicing at the sound of the flute. They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace. Yet they say to God: 'Leave us alone! We don't want to know Your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what will we gain by pleading with Him?' " (Job 21:7-15 HCSB)
The question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" is a difficult one--a scenario so often seen, that a best-selling book was written by a Jewish rabbi twenty years ago--still reprinted and read today. The answers given in that volume are not adequate, but that someone is trying to solve the puzzle is understandable. Job wrestled with putting it altogether. It seemed there were always some pieces missing.
Another question, just as thorny, is this, "Why do good things happen to bad people?" I suppose someone has written a book about that also. But, the author hasn't been interviewed on Oprah, nor has it made the New York Times best-seller list, so far as I know. No one wants to think they are bad! So, the laws of supply and demand take effect.
Nevertheless, it is another dilemma for Job. The conventional wisdom of that day was that good people were blessed of God--physical health, large family, financial prosperity--all a reward from God. Conversely, the bad people were smitten with sickness, their children died, they were destitute--all a retribution from God.
It sounds reasonable. But, it isn't so! We can point to many examples of godly souls who suffered incredibly--and to awful people who had it all!
Who are the celebrities today? Who is living lavishly? Who holds the reins of power? Who indulges in the pleasures this world brings?
Sure, there is the occasional Tim Tebow who emerges. But, that's what claims our attention--someone who has sincere faith, yet has a measure of earthly success is such a rarity. For every Tebow, there are hundreds--thousands--of people who haven't a thought for God, yet, seemingly, not a care in the world. There are many whose notoriety and prosperity come from their defiance of God! Atheists become best-selling authors and godless comedians who mock all that is holy are household names. Does the name Bill Maher ring a bell?
Why do good things happen to bad people?
Job wondered. Years later, the Psalmist did. It nearly undermined his faith! Ponder this:
"God is indeed good to Israel,
to the pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my steps nearly went astray.
For I envied the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have an easy time until they die,
and their bodies are well fed.
They are not in trouble like others;
they are not afflicted like most people.
Therefore, pride is their necklace,
and violence covers them like a garment.
Their eyes bulge out from fatness;
the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
They mock, and they speak maliciously;
they arrogantly threaten oppression.
They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues strut across the earth.
Therefore His people turn to them
and drink in their overflowing words.
The wicked say, 'How can God know?
Does the Most High know everything?'
Look at them-the wicked!
They are always at ease,
and they increase their wealth.
Did I purify my heart
and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?
For I am afflicted all day long
and punished every morning." (Psalm 73:1-14 HCSB)
Asaph echoes Job's sentiment. We still wonder. But, Job would ultimately find strength in the presence of the Lord--not all the solutions to the problem, but strength to face the perplexity. So did Asaph. Here is what the Psalmist did:
"If I had decided to say these things [aloud],
I would have betrayed Your people.
When I tried to understand all this,
it seemed hopeless
until I entered God's sanctuary.
Then I understood their destiny
Indeed, You put them in slippery places;
You make them fall into ruin.
How suddenly they become a desolation!
They come to an end, swept away by terrors.
Like one waking from a dream,
Lord, when arising, You will despise their image.
When I became embittered
and my innermost being was wounded,
I was stupid and didn't understand;
I was an unthinking animal toward You.
Yet I am always with You;
You hold my right hand.
You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward You will take me up in glory.
Who do I have in heaven but You?
And I desire nothing on earth but You.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart,
my portion forever.
Those far from You will certainly perish;
You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
But as for me, God's presence is my good.
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
so I can tell about all You do." (Psalm 73:15-28 HCSB)
All the "hell" the people of God will know is in this fleeting mortal existence. All the "heaven" the wicked will know is on earth. Which one would you rather experience?
We can deny self, and die to the world, as we take up the cross to follow Jesus, coming to the end and rejoice, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18 HCSB)
Would you rather be this man Jesus told about?
"There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day. But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was left at his gate. He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man's table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores. One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side. 'Father Abraham!' he called out, 'Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!'
"'Son,' Abraham said, 'remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.' " (Luke 16:19-26 HCSB)
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