Why do the wicked prosper? Why doesn’t God deal with them? It seems like the good people work hard and get nowhere while the wicked cheat and get ahead of everyone. Where is God’s justice in it all? Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean that God isn’t dealing with them. Trust God in the process and watch as he works.
Jeremiah 12:1-3
“Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously? You have planted them, yes; they have taken root; They grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth But far from their mind. But You, O LORD, know me; You have seen me, And You have tested my heart toward You. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, And prepare them for the day of slaughter.”
Why Doesn’t God do Something?
Jeremiah’s prayer resonates with everyone. Why do the wicked prosper? Why do they continue without God doing anything? They are placed in the positions they are in by God. They take root, which means they become established. They even grow successful in how they operate. Jeremiah is obviously talking about the religious leaders of his day. They said all the spiritual things, but God was absent from their minds. He had to be so frustrated by seeing all of this. Why doesn’t God do something about this evil?
Tested and Found Faithful
There is no answer in this passage, but we do see something important. First off if God eradicated all the evil, there would be very few people left on earth. The heart is deceptively wicked. Sure, some excel in this area, and you wonder what God is up to, but we have to ask some additional questions. First, where is our heart at with God? Has God tested us and found us faithful? Second, are we being obedient to His word? Do our actions back up our words?
Moved to Prayer
When we are confronted with leadership that is wicked, we need to pray. Jeremiah prays that God will pull them out of the flock and send them to the slaughter. While this may be necessary, we need to pray that God will bring them to repentance. God desires that no one perish, but they come to repentance.