Topical Bible: Joy of the Wicked: Shall be Taken Away

Bible > Topical > Joy of the Wicked

◄ Joy of the Wicked: Shall be Taken Away ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the joy of the wicked being temporary and ultimately taken away is a recurring theme in the Bible. This notion underscores the transient nature of the prosperity and happiness experienced by those who live in opposition to God's commandments. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the fate of the wicked, emphasizing that their joy is fleeting and their end is destruction.

Biblical References:

1. Job 20:4-5 : "Do you not know that from antiquity, from the time man was placed on the earth, the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?" This passage from the book of Job highlights the ephemeral nature of the wicked's triumph and joy. Zophar, one of Job's friends, speaks to the temporary success of the wicked, suggesting that their joy is short-lived and ultimately leads to downfall.

2. Proverbs 14:13 : "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow." This proverb reflects the idea that the joy of the wicked is superficial and can quickly turn into sorrow. It serves as a reminder that true joy is not found in wickedness but in righteousness and obedience to God.

3. Ecclesiastes 7:6 : "For like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile." The imagery of thorns crackling under a pot illustrates the fleeting and insubstantial nature of the joy experienced by fools, often equated with the wicked. Their laughter and joy are compared to a fire that quickly burns out, leaving nothing of value behind.

4. Psalm 37:35-36 : "I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree, yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found." The psalmist observes the temporary flourishing of the wicked, who may appear prosperous and joyful for a time, but ultimately vanish without a trace. This passage reinforces the idea that the joy of the wicked is not enduring.

5. Isaiah 48:22 : "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked." The absence of peace for the wicked implies that their joy is incomplete and ultimately unsatisfying. True peace and lasting joy are found only in a right relationship with God.

6. Luke 6:25 : "Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep." Jesus' words in the Gospel of Luke serve as a warning to those who find joy in worldly pleasures and wickedness. The reversal of fortunes is a common biblical theme, where the temporary joy of the wicked is replaced by mourning and weeping.

Theological Implications:

The temporary joy of the wicked serves as a cautionary tale for believers, emphasizing the importance of seeking righteousness and aligning one's life with God's will. The Scriptures consistently portray the joy of the wicked as fleeting, ultimately leading to judgment and separation from God. This theme encourages believers to pursue lasting joy through faithfulness and obedience, rather than being enticed by the temporary pleasures of sin.

The Bible's portrayal of the joy of the wicked as transient and ultimately taken away serves as a reminder of the eternal perspective that believers are called to maintain. While the wicked may experience temporary success and happiness, their end is destruction, and their joy is but a fleeting illusion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 16:10
And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Resurrection
... presence, in whose presence is fulness of joy,' Psalm 16 ... Use one: It is sad news
to the wicked, that they ... have been taken away wrongfully, you shall be restored ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 the resurrection.htm

Harvest Joy
... while he lives; and you will never know the joy of bringing ... Oh, wicked unbelief;
cruel unbelief! ... saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/harvest joy.htm

He Contends that These Testimonies Already Alleged Cannot be ...
... as well as escaped the hands of the Wicked one ... to this Jerusalem, and that [His]
kingdom shall be in ... Jerusalem towards the east, and behold the joy which comes ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxv he contends that these.htm

The Death of the Righteous
... As a wicked man's life is made up of sin, so ... of my life, the end of my life, the
joy of my ... some bright rays and beams of the Godhead shall display themselves ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the death of the.htm

Letter cxxii. To Rusticus.
... 3180] Wherefore also "there is joy in the ... he that hath done this deed might be taken
away from among ... laid down that the wickedness of the wicked shall not hurt ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxii to rusticus.htm

Conclusion of Our Lord's Discourse. Parables of virgins and ...
... over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy ... his lord answered and said unto
him, Thou wicked and slothful ... hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxv conclusion of our lords.htm

The Parable of the Talents.
... over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy ... lord answered and said unto him,
'Thou wicked and slothful ... hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the parable of the talents.htm

An Exhortation to the People of God not to be Discouraged in their ...
... Their Way, by the Scoffs and Contempt of Wicked Men. ... sake, behold he shall appear
to your joy, and they ... I shall not speak unto you, Pharisees, this morning, nor ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/an exhortation to the people.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John v. 25,"Verily, Verily, I Say unto ...
... how would he not contain himself in joy without pain ... But you will say, "I am wicked,
and perhaps it will ... no growing, and growing old; because there shall be no ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxvii on the words.htm

The Blessed Privilege of Seeing God Explained
... dread and terror of the divine essence shall be taken away. ... knowledge and their hearts
so full of joy that they ... The wicked shall feel the fire but not see the ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/17 the blessed privilege of.htm