20120904 Friday, September 4 2015
Jeremiah 12: Why Do The Wicked Prosper?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?"

The English-language word "prosper" originated from a compound Latin word, pro, meaning before, and spes, meaning hope. While "prosper" is today generally regarded to mean merely becoming financially wealthy, the actual meaning of the words of its origin indicate that it conveys much more - as do the Hebrew and Greek words of the Holy Scriptures, as we will see.

Classic, high-quality academic dictionaries (i.e. those that existed before many words were twisted away from what they actually meant when they were created; the deviant-minded rarely invent new words for themselves and what they do - they lazily and aggressively just debase good words into profane meanings so that a previously good-meaning word can no longer be used without misunderstanding e.g. someone who is happy can no longer be called "gay" because it now "means" something that it really doesn't and never meant - while "queer" cannot be spoken at all because it's presently regarded as "offensive" and "hate speech" by the hypocrites who declare their "right" to be as publicly offensive as they want to everyone else) also provide the full meaning of the word.

"Prosper" is used to translate a number of Hebrew and Greek words of the Holy Scriptures - all of which convey the same natural and healthy full meaning of "prosper" when referring to the righteous (as we will get to, it has a different meaning for the wicked).

The Hebrew word, pronounced tsaw-lawkh, which means to do well.

Example:

"22:12 Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God. 22:13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed." (1 Chronicles 22:12-13 KJV)

The Hebrew word, pronounced saw-kawl, which means aware.

Example:

"29:9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do." (Deuteronomy 29:9 KJV)

The Greek word, pronounced yoo-od-oo, which means a good journey.

Example:

"1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth." (3 John 1:2-3 KJV)

Converted Christians, those who have truly repented and turned to the Way of the LORD (an offer that the LORD makes to everyone, sooner or later; see Choosing The Right Way and Which Way Is Right And Left?), are today sharing the planet with those who have not yet, or will not if their time came and was rejected, truly turn to the Way of the LORD. The wicked prosper in, or refuse to come out of their dead-end ways of their dead-end world. But what awaits them when the Earth becomes wholly the Kingdom of God? (see also When The LORD's Flag Is Raised Over The Earth).

"16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Matthew 16:26-27 KJV)

In the mean time, the righteous are also prospering, in the full definition, but in good things that will last forever.

"1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 1:2-4 KJV)

The prophet Jeremiah was sent to deliver the LORD's warning to the wicked who were prospering in the God-rejecting world that they created for themselves by the spirit of their founding father, Satan (see also Backsliding The Way To The Top). In the end, they refused to listen to the LORD's offer of true prosperity (see A Faithful Winner Among Unrepentant Losers) and so reaped what they sowed (see Reap What You Sow and The Righteous Don't Fear The Reaper).

"12:1 Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? 12:2 Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins. 12:3 But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. 12:4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? 12:6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee. 12:7 I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. 12:8 Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it. 12:9 Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour. 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. 12:11 They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart. 12:12 The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace. 12:13 They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

12:14 Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. 12:15 And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. 12:16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people. 12:17 But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD." (Jeremiah 12:1-17 KJV)

Fact Finder: When will the truly prosperous be set free from the wickedly prosperous?
See Let Both Grow Together Until The Harvest