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7/16 Reading Portions: Joshua 23; Acts 3; Jeremiah 12; Matthew 26
Jeremiah 12:1
Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
UNFAIR
On the surface, it seems unfair that the wicked should prosper and the treacherous should thrive. Jeremiah’s questions are not unlike the questions many believers have had over the years. Nevertheless, we thank God because He is sovereign and has the big picture. It’s all about the gospel and the exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must remember certain instances in Scripture where idolatrous men of means present unto us a blessed gospel illustration. Naaman, the Syrian commander, was a wealthy and successful man; his leprosy, notwithstanding (2 Ki 5:1). To secure a cure for his disease, he took with him to Samaria ten talents of silver, 6,000 shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing— a conservative estimate of 4.7 million U.S. dollars today. For all his wealth and success, it could not cure his leprosy. Wealthy, wicked men and women cannot find any fulfillment from all their riches. Their marriages fall apart. Their families are disconnected. Their health issues continue to deteriorate and debilitate. They cannot cheat death. Moreover, their money cannot cleanse them from their sin. Although Naaman was cured of his leprosy through the instruction of Elisha, he returned to pay the prophet for his cure. Elisha would not take one red cent of the Syrian’s money. Because leprosy is type of sin in the Bible, and because Naaman’s healing was a prophetic type of salvation from our sin that separates us from God, Naaman’s money was rejected by God’s prophet because there’s no way we can buy our salvation. All the wealth in the world cannot save us from our sin. We have sinned infinitely against an infinite God, and therefore, the payment required for our salvation requires a source of infinite wealth— the Treasure of heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe for a debt you and I owe and cannot possibly pay. Sometimes the wicked prosper so our wonderful God can show us our glorious Redeemer and His amazing grace. Hallelujah! What a Savior!