WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
JUNE 16, 2025
TOPIC: WHY DO THE WICKED PROSPER?
BY T. O. BANSO
“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” (Jeremiah 12:1b-2 New King James Version).
People asked different questions in the Bible. Some of these questions were between human beings, but people directed some of them to God. For instance, in his trial, Job asked God some questions, hoping to get answers. But God didn’t answer him until towards the end of the book of Job.
When God finally answered Job out of the whirlwind, He didn’t answer the way one would have thought He would, considering that Job had suffered so much and was in despair. God answered Job with a torrent of questions that are recorded in Job 38:1-41, 39:1-30; 40:1-2, 6-24; and 41:1-34.
After listening to God’s questions, Job had no answer. He quickly apologized and admitted that he had uttered what he did not understand and things too wonderful for him to know (Job 40:3-5; 42:3). Also, Job said, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6 New King James Version).
While people are free to ask God questions, He is not bound to give them the answers they want or answer them the way they like! Those in pain because of one tragedy or the other often ask God questions. It could be part of the healing process, but God decides whether to answer or how He chooses to answer.
As much as God cares for human beings, especially, His children, nobody can query Him. He knows what is best for everyone. It is always wise to trust Him and believe that no matter what happens, He has our best interests at heart, even when we are hurting or mourning.
People have always asked God questions such as: Why do good people suffer? Why does God allow good people to die young? Why did God not answer the prayer to heal someone the believers prayed for and allow him to die? There are other questions like these that people pose to God. While some people often help to defend God, it appears many people still wish they saw God and asked Him questions they demanded answers to!
The prophet Habakkuk asked, “How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted” (Habakkuk 1:2-4 New Living Translation). In verses 5-11, the LORD answered Him. He also answered his second complaint (Habakkuk 1:12-17; 2:1-20).
The prophet Jeremiah suffered a lot in the ministry. He was poor, hated, rejected, imprisoned, etc. but God never abandoned him; He didn’t allow his enemies to prevail over him (Jeremiah 11:19-23; 20:10-11; 26:1-9; 36:1-26; Jeremiah 37; 38). In Jeremiah 11, the LORD revealed to him the plot of the men of Anathoth, his hometown, to kill him if he did not stop prophesying in the name of the LORD (Jeremiah 11:21).
The LORD told Jeremiah, “Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, I will punish them. The young men shall die by the sword, their sons and their daughters shall die by famine; and there shall be no remnant of them, for I will bring catastrophe on the men of Anathoth, even the year of their punishment’” (Jeremiah 11:23 New King James Version).
Immediately after this, Jeremiah told the LORD that He always gave him justice when he brought a case before Him.
And he made his complaint thus: “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” (Jeremiah 12:1b-2 New King James Version). The Hebrew word translated as “wicked” is rasha’, which means “morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person:–+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong” (Strong’s Concordance).
The persecution, including the plot by his people to kill Jeremiah, might have overwhelmed him. If so, you can’t blame Jeremiah. Have you experienced the kind of situation Jeremiah faced? Depression is a profoundly serious affliction and can afflict a servant of God. Depression could make people ask questions that are not a true reflection of who they are. If you read some of the things this great prophet said, you would think Job, who also suffered depression, was speaking!
See what Jeremiah said: “Cursed be the day in which I was born! Let the day not be blessed in which my mother bore me! Let the man be cursed who brought news to my father, saying, ‘A male child has been born to you!’ Making him very glad” (Jeremiah 20:14-15 New King James Version).
Jeremiah continued, “And let that man be like the cities which the Lord overthrew, and did not relent; let him hear the cry in the morning and the shouting at noon, because he did not kill me from the womb, that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb always enlarged with me. Why did I come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?” (Verses 16-18 New King James Version).
Let’s go back to Jeremiah’s earlier questions about why the way of the wicked prospered and those who dealt so treacherously were happy. The New Living Translation puts the scripture thus: “Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy? You have planted them, and they have taken root and prospered. Your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts” (Jeremiah 12:1b-2).
The Bible in Basic English renders it thus: “Why does the evil-doer do well? Why are the workers of deceit living in comfort? They have been planted by you, they have taken root; they go on and give fruit: you are near in their mouths but far from their thoughts.”
Jeremiah was not the only person who addressed this issue in the Bible. Many people still ask the question today when they see how sinners live comfortably, and honest people struggle to survive. In some societies, the evildoers tend to advance more than the honest and law-abiding citizens, especially Christians who are living in obedience to the Word of God. Out of frustration, people ask the questions Jeremiah asked.
Jeremiah was concerned about the situation in his nation, Judah. He told God that He knew him, had seen him, and tested his heart toward Him. Therefore, he pleaded with God to pull out the wicked like sheep for the slaughter and prepare them for the day of slaughter (Jeremiah 12:3).
Jeremiah added: “How long will the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither? The beasts and birds are consumed, for the wickedness of those who dwell there, because they said, “He will not see our final end’” (Jeremiah 12:4 New King James Version).
If you expect God to give Jeremiah a comforting answer, you are wrong. Don’t forget God answered Job with a barrage of questions; He didn’t give him direct answers.
Here is God’s answer to Jeremiah’s questions: “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan? For even your brothers, the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; yes, they have called a multitude after you. Do not believe them, even though they speak smooth words to you” (Jeremiah 12:5-6 New King James Version).
God’s answer means that Jeremiah should prepare for something worse than what he complained about. That didn’t mean that God endorsed the evil in the land. He eventually brought His judgment upon the nation. God is not the author of the injustice you see. The wicked are prospering because this is a fallen, broken world. God didn’t design it so.
Job, answering his critics, said, “The tents of robbers prosper, and those who provoke God are secure—in what God provides by His hand” (Job 12:6 New King James Version). This is true but it is not the end of the story. The wicked may be advancing in life but don’t let that discourage you from following the Lord.
The Lord said, “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden” (Isaiah 29:13-14 New King James Version).
Some of the wicked who are prospering will reap part of what they have sown before they die. And those whom people felt died well will still face the judgment of God (Hebrews 9:27). The psalmist said, “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:2-3 New King James Version).
David warned, “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb” (Psalm 37:1-2 New King James Version). Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines fret as “to worry about something, especially when there is no need.” Don’t worry, be agitated, or complain about the prosperity of evildoers. There is no need for it. This is not the end yet.
David said, “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed I sought him, but he could not be found” (Psalm 37:35-36 New King James Version).
The writer of Psalm 73 said that when he tried to understand why the wicked prospered, it was a difficult task until he went into the sanctuary of God and understood their end. He saw that God put their feet where there was danger of slipping so that they went down into destruction (Psalm 73:16-17).
Verses 19-20 say, “Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awakes, so, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image” (New King James Version).
Don’t be envious of the prosperity of the wicked. Everything doesn’t end here on earth. Live for eternity. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Matthew 16:26).
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. Take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner, and cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: I shall not worry about the prosperity of the wicked or seek to gain the whole world and lose my soul. Holy Spirit, help me not to forfeit eternity with God because of the things of this world. Help me to live for eternity.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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