Topical Bible: Happiness of the Wicked is Short

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The concept that the happiness of the wicked is fleeting is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the transient nature of earthly pleasures and the ultimate justice of God. This idea serves as a moral and spiritual warning against envy of the prosperity of those who live in opposition to God's commandments.

Biblical References:

1. Job 20:5 · "the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?" . In this passage, Zophar the Naamathite speaks to Job, asserting that the success and joy of the wicked are short-lived. This reflects the belief that any apparent prosperity of the wicked is temporary and ultimately leads to their downfall.

2. Psalm 37:1-2 · "Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. For they will wither quickly like grass and fade like the green herb." . The psalmist advises the faithful not to be envious of the wicked, as their prosperity is as fleeting as grass that withers and fades.

3. Proverbs 24:19-20 · "Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked. For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished." . This proverb reinforces the idea that the wicked have no enduring future, and their apparent success is temporary.

4. Ecclesiastes 8:12-13 · "Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, who revere His presence. But it will not be well with the wicked, and the length of his days will not be prolonged like a shadow, because he does not fear God." . The Preacher acknowledges that while the wicked may seem to prosper, their ultimate fate is not favorable, contrasting with the well-being of those who fear God.

5. Psalm 73:3-19 · In this psalm, Asaph confesses his initial envy of the prosperity of the wicked, but upon entering the sanctuary of God, he discerns their end: "Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin. How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!" . This passage illustrates the sudden and inevitable downfall of the wicked.

Theological Implications:

The brevity of the wicked's happiness underscores the justice and sovereignty of God. It serves as a reminder that God's moral order prevails, and that true and lasting joy is found in righteousness and obedience to Him. The apparent success of the wicked is a test of faith for believers, who are called to trust in God's ultimate justice and to focus on eternal rather than temporal rewards.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to maintain their integrity and faithfulness, even when faced with the prosperity of those who do not honor God. The Scriptures call for patience and trust in God's timing, assuring that the righteous will ultimately be vindicated. This perspective helps Christians to navigate feelings of envy and injustice, focusing instead on their relationship with God and the eternal joy that comes from living according to His will.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 20:5
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... are thus timid is to read the short treatise of ... in fine, admit them to a participation
in his happiness. But the wicked who may have flourished on the earth ...
/.../sergieff/on the christian life/chapter iv of meditating on.htm

Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... are thus timid is to read the short treatise of ... in fine, admit them to a participation
in his happiness. But the wicked who may have flourished on the earth ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 of meditating on.htm

The Eternal Punishment of the Wicked Reconciled with the Goodness ...
... overwhelms the imagination of poor, short-sighted creatures ... is that respecting the
future condition of the wicked. ... by him to rectitude and happiness." Vain hope ...
/.../chapter iv the eternal punishment.htm

The Eternity of God
... Bonds and afflictions abide me.' The wicked are clad ... the crown and zenith of heaven's
happiness, is, that ... troubles; their sufferings are but short, but their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 the eternity of god.htm

The Trouble and Rest of Good Men "There the Wicked Cease from ...
... holiness is not found on earth, so neither is perfect happiness. ... not only from the
troubling of the wicked, not only ... born of a woman' I had but a short time to ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 127 the trouble and.htm

Psalm XXXVII.
... Their hope is short-lived, frail, fleeting, transitory, baseless. ... murmur against
Him, when thou seest the wicked flourishing. What of happiness did He promise? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxvii.htm

Though in Order to Establish this Suitable Difference Between the ...
... and created beings, much less by frail and weak and short-lived mortals ... they go two
different ways; the virtuous to a place of happiness, the wicked and the ...
/.../iv proposition iv though in.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... men who did fear God, and desire the happiness of their ... of some to "rise up against
the wicked," and join ... than anyone could have expected in so short a time ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

Of God and his Affections, and the Censure of Epicurus.
... What happiness, then, can there be in God, if He ... In short, Marcus Tullius relates
that it was said ... called than a deceiver, double-tongued, wicked, and moreover ...
/.../a treatise on the anger of god addressed to donatus/chap iv of god and his.htm

Of the Loosing of the Devil, and of the Second and Greatest ...
... clemency for the safety of men,"in short, to remove the wicked from the ... and prosperity,
enjoyest thy immortal glories with the greatest happiness. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxvi of the loosing of.htm