“Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart.” (Jeremiah 12:1–2, ESV)
There is an old expression, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” I never really understood this idiom as a child as my grandmother used it all the time. Yet after I purchased a home in a suburban community, things came to light. No matter how much care and attention I gave to my lawn, it seemed that the neighbor’s lawn aways looked better. That was until one day when I walked over to my neighbor’s place and looked back to my yard. From a distance my yard looked better. What did the metaphor mean? It seems that this speaks to the issues of viewpoints, envy, pursuits, and a host of issues.
Here in this passage, we see Jeremiah’s complaint. He wanted to know why the ways of the wicked prospered. This is a question that many ask continuously. We see wicked dictators in foreign lands who live in lavish palaces while their constituents live in abject poverty. We see drug dealers driving hundred-thousand-dollar cars and living in mansions. So, we ask the same question. Why do these prosper and others, seemingly better people, do not?
Yet a question that likely hits home for us is this. Why do the unrighteous often prosper while many of God’s righteous do not. This was Jeremiah’s complaint. He looked around and saw others who turned their back on God and worshipped idols thriving while he struggled. He was the subject of threats on his life. Moreover, the Lord answered the complaint by telling Jermiah that it was going to get even worse.
“If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5, ESV)
However, here is the problem. It is one of a viewpoint and definition. We must ask ourselves, what is true prosperity? Is prosperity having a mansion, a yacht, or a Lamborghini? Is it having myriads of riches in the bank? Add all these things together and see if they could purchase one second in heaven and they never will. Can these grant a person eternal life? No! Could these things keep a person from the eternal fire? No! The truly prosperous person is one who will prosper with riches in glory for all eternity.
Who is the truly prosperous person? It is the one who is justified by faith alone. We who have trusted in Jesus for eternal life are truly prosperous. While we may struggle at times in this life, and see those with riches here prospering, we are the truly prosperous ones. So, know that you who believe are on the right side of the fence. It is a matter of our viewpoint. It is better to suffer want in this life than to suffer loss for all eternity.
Renewing the Heart 