The concept of the happiness of the wicked is a recurring theme in the Bible, often juxtaposed with the ultimate justice and righteousness of God. While the wicked may appear to prosper and find happiness in their ways, Scripture consistently warns of the fleeting nature of their joy and the inevitable woe that awaits them.

Biblical Warnings and Illustrations

1. Psalm 37:1-2: "Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants." This passage highlights the temporary nature of the wicked's prosperity. Though they may seem to flourish, their success is short-lived, much like grass that quickly withers.

2. 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." Here, the writer of Proverbs advises against envying the wicked, emphasizing that their apparent happiness is without a lasting future.

3. Job 20:4-5: "Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth, the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?" Zophar, one of Job's friends, speaks to the transient nature of the wicked's joy, suggesting that their triumph is but a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of God's justice.

4. Psalm 73:3-19: The psalmist Asaph confesses his struggle with the prosperity of the wicked, admitting envy of their apparent ease and success. However, upon entering the sanctuary of God, he discerns their ultimate 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!"

5. Jeremiah 12:1-3: The prophet Jeremiah questions why the wicked prosper, yet he acknowledges God's ultimate justice: "You planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and produce fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts. Yet You know me, O LORD; You see me and test my heart toward You."

The Inevitable Woe

The Bible consistently teaches that the happiness of the wicked is illusory and temporary. Their apparent success is often a test for the righteous, who are called to trust in God's ultimate justice. The wicked may enjoy momentary pleasures, but their end is destruction unless they repent and turn to God.

Isaiah 3:11: "Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done." This verse serves as a stark reminder that the wicked will face the consequences of their actions, receiving the due penalty for their deeds.

Malachi 4:1: "For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the coming day will set them ablaze, says the LORD of Hosts, not leaving them root or branch." The prophet Malachi speaks of a coming day of judgment, where the wicked will be utterly consumed.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus and the apostles warning of the ultimate fate of the wicked. In the Beatitudes, Jesus contrasts the blessedness of the righteous with the woes pronounced upon those who reject God's ways (Matthew 5:3-12; Luke 6:24-26).

James 5:1-5: "Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail for the misery to come upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days." James warns the wealthy wicked of the judgment that awaits them, emphasizing the futility of their earthly happiness.

In summary, while the wicked may experience temporary happiness, the Bible consistently warns of the woe and judgment that will ultimately befall them. The righteous are encouraged to remain steadfast, trusting in God's justice and the eternal joy that awaits those who follow Him.Amos 6:1
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 6:25
Woe to you that are full! for you shall hunger. Woe to you that laugh now! for you shall mourn and weep.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Whether the Rewards Assigned to the Beatitudes Refer to this Life?
... Woe to you that now laugh, for you shall mourn and ... Reply to Objection 1: Hope regards
future happiness as the ... The Philosopher, too, says of the wicked (Ethic. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the rewards assigned to.htm

Death Swallowed up in victory
... Hebrews 12:6-8) . If the prosperity of the wicked sometimes continues ... been afar off,
a desire of sharing in the happiness of the ... Woe unto you that are rich! ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xliii death swallowed up.htm

Epistle Liv. To Cornelius, Concerning Fortunatus and Felicissimus ...
... also cries by Isaiah, and says, "Woe unto you ... among them is the penury even of wicked
men, that ... unrighteousness." [2568] The highest degree of happiness is, not ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle liv to cornelius concerning.htm

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... angels from the top of heaven and happiness into the ... nothing, or thrust us down into
extreme and endless woe? ... mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me ...
/.../sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/against rash and vain swearing.htm

"The Eternity of Hell-Torments"
... a life of misery as well as happiness, and yet ... But, Secondly, If the torments reserved
for the wicked hereafter are ... But woe unto such blind leaders of the blind ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the eternity of hell-torments.htm

A Believer's Privilege at Death
... The best of a saint's comfort begins when his life ends; but the wicked have all
their heaven ... Woe unto you that are rich ... But a saint's happiness is in reversion ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 a believers privilege at.htm

The Vengeance of Heaven
... the general fact that, though the wicked seem to ... conviction that holiness in itself
is happiness, and sin ... ultimate reward of good Nicarete or woe-worn Olympias ...
/.../chapter lx the vengeance of.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... What politician or moralist ever placed happiness in the cross ... trouble to a gracious
heart to live among the wicked. "Woe is me, that I dwell in Mesech" (Psalm ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

The Great Duty of Family Religion
... yet we cannot but pronounce a woe against those masters ... will such monstrous profane
and wicked governors appear ... be restored to your primitive happiness, till by ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the great duty of family.htm

The Words of Our Lips.
... Many, who would hesitate to do a foolish or wicked thing, do not ... serpent, carry a
fearful weapon in our tongue, and woe unto our happiness, and that of ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xl the words of.htm

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