TRAGEDIES OF THE WICKED

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

TRAGEDIES OF THE WICKED

“…Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them. They will be paid back for what their hands have done”, (Isaiah 3:11).

INTRODUCTION:

The wicked is/are individual(s) who violate(s) the rules of morality. And morality is the principles of good behaviour. But, when one violates such principles, one becomes immoral, and therefore, wicked. From a biblical standpoint, the wicked face(s) turns of disaster that come on them as pay back for the evils meted out to God and humanity. The simple verdict is that they will be paid in their own coins, (Isaiah 3:11).  So, observe that:

MANY ARE THE WOES OF THE WICKED

The expression in Psalm 32 verse 10 which informs the sub-topic above clearly indicates that the wicked in every generation face(s) serious problems as returns for their nefarious activities. Biblical examples show that God did not spare Cain, the first murderer, for killing his brother, Abel. He equally did not allow King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel to escape the web of retributive justice for forcefully snatching “Naboth’s parcel of land, and subsequently sending him to the world beyond. In recent history, General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s former head of states stands out as one of the heartless political leaders who wasted men and materials in his quest to remain in power. His inglorious exist, no doubt, points to the fact that God is angry with the wicked everyday, (Psalm 7:11). In the light of the foregoing therefore, it becomes established that:

(1)       “Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trust in Him”, (Psalm 32:10);

(2)       “The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked”, (Psalm 146:9);

(3)       …”The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free”, (Prov. 11:21), etc.

THE WICKEDNESS OF THE WICKED WILL BE CHARGED AGAINST HIM

With reference to the preceding part of what forms the subtopic under review, Prophet Ezekiel begins by saying that the righteousness of the righteous will be credited to him, as he also harps on the fact that the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him, (Ezekiel 18:20). This implies that good works are credited to those who do them, whereas evil deeds are charged against those who engage in them. Today, Charles Taylor, a former warlord, and erstwhile president of Liberia carries charges of war crime against him, while former president Nelson Mandela of South Africa is credited for good leadership and his respect for the sanctity of the human life. On a general note, everybody carries divine charge(s) or credit(s) of what they do or have done. The politician who kills carries murder charges before God, as those who practice politics without bitterness are credited. The government functionary who deprives the poor of their benefits through harsh policies stands guilty in the presence of the Lord, whereas, those who sincerely provide dividends of democracy are credited. The woman of sexual immorality and abortion goes about with charges of infidelity and murder, whereas, the virtuous ones are credited in the sight of God. Please note also that:

(1)          “The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing”, (Prov. 10:28).

(2)          “The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness”, (Prov. 11:5);

(3)          “The wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud”, (Isaiah 57:20), etc.

THE WICKED SHALL BE TURNED INTO HELL

The hardest tragedy of the wicked is his torment(s) in the Lake of fire. The Bible talks of a certain rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury everyday. At his gate laid a beggar, named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from his table. But, in a show of wickedness, the rich man refused to render any help. Does this not picture the attitude of some political leaders who stash away public funds into foreign accounts, while the masses die in abject poverty? Is this not a reflection of the life style of certain well-to-do individuals in society who spend huge amount of money in parties and merry-making, while their kinsmen are destitute of basic necessities of life?., etc.

However, “the time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So, he called to him, father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire. But, Abraham replied, son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things (and had no regard for God), while Lazarus received bad things (but had regard for God), but now he is comforted here and you are in agony”, (Luke 16:19-25). By this, the writer biblically authenticates the fact that;

(1)       The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God, (Psalm 9:17);

(2)       They will not inherit the Kingdom of God, (1Cor 6:9); and that

(3)       The torments of hell awaits them hereafter, (Luke 16:22-24), etc.

In conclusion, let it be noted that wickedness is of various shapes and degrees, and are exhibited by people of all walks of life. Abortion, abduction, sexual immorality, double – dealing, homosexuality, robbery, obtaining by trick, assassination and the likes are all forms of wickedness and are punishable in line with the stipulations of the scripture. Nevertheless, God gives everyone that wishes the opportunity to escape the tragedies which wickedness brings, and so Prophet Isaiah calls, “Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts, let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon”, (Isaiah 55:7).