In Psalm 73, Asaph, wrestles with an
age-old question, “Why do the wicked seem to prosper?” My thoughts here, however, are not concerned with that age-old question, but rather with the anguish of soul Asaph experiences as he wrestles with the question. I believe his struggle is indicative of an oft times unrecognized struggle that is, nonetheless, common to God’s
people. Moreover, I believe that for those engaged in the holy pursuit of an ever increasing knowledge of God, this struggle should be expected. It is a necessary consequence of the chasm
that exists between the Infinite and the finite, between Creator and creature, between
the Divine and the human, between the Holy and the un-holy.
Asaph does, obviously, address questions surrounding both the apparent prosperity of the wicked, and their ultimate fate. He also clearly offers valuable insights into how the godly can deal with their own envy, discouragement and discontent, and find their true contentment in God. Still, I believe there is more that underlies Asaph's recounting of his wrestling, a recounting that has the character of a confession.
As Aspah begins to write, he has come full-circle through his trial of soul. And so, he acknowledges that "Truly, God is good to Israel." Immediately though, he contrasts that truth about God with what he has learned of his own character, saying "But, as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." Through this ordeal, he has, first, come to see himself more clearly, and, he's not proud of what he has seen. This too is a natural consequence of growing in our knowledge of God.
While he freely admits his "envy," it soon becomes clear that Asaph's problem was not simply that he saw all that the wicked and arrogant had, and how they lived, and wanted that for himself. In verse 16, he confesses that as he "...thought how to understand this..." it seemed to him to be a "wearisome task." Still, he needed to try to understand what he saw around him. I would suggest that his desire to understand is due to the fact that what he observed all around him just didn't fit, it didn't make sense, it couldn't be satisfactorily reconciled with what he thought he knew of the God of Israel. This, I believe, is the beginning of our understanding of the true anguish of soul Asaph was experiencing. Something far beyond mere envy, and, far more trying to his soul.
It is also important to understand that this was, for Asaph, a private anguish.
Having recounted what he saw in the lives of the wicked (vv. 3-9), Aspah writes that he had observed that the God's own people, Israel, also saw this prosperity and arrogance and were led to question (vv. 10-11), "How can God know?" "Is there any knowledge with the Most High?" Aspah's confusion and envy, are also shared by those around him. The all too understandable result is that Asaph says, within himself, "In vain I have kept my heart clean, and washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been stricken, and rebuked every morning."
Asaph, however, does not publicly admit the trauma of soul he is experiencing...and, for this, he is later thankful. He realizes, aloud, in verse 15 "If I had said, 'I will speak thus,' I would have betrayed the generation of Your children." Having come, once again, full-circle, he realizes now, as he writes, that if he had given in to simply venting his envy and confusion by questioning his God, he would have only succeeded in further shaking the faith of his fellow pilgrims...betraying them, and God. He somehow understood, based on his prior knowledge of the character of his God, that there had to be an answer, even though he could not see it. And so, he determined to first bring his anguish, his questions, to God, rather than simply commiserate with his fellow discouraged pilgrims.
It is at this point that Asaph's desire to understand begins to bear fruit, as he finally turns away from everyone and everything around him, and approaches God Himseslf...entering His sancturay. The fruit of this growth in knowledge, once again, begins with an understanding of his own bitterness, brutish behavior and ignorance (vv. 21-22). However, thankfully, it doesn't end there. Rather, he is apparently graciously gripped with the understanding that "Nevertheless..." he is constantly with his Lord, because, his Lord holds his right hand.
There is so much more to see and say with regard to this Psalm, but, this is not an attempt at a verse-by-verse exposition. Rather, it is an attempt to identify what I believe is a natural struggle to be encountered by all who would desire to grow in their knowledge of God. It is the anguish of soul that results when what we see and experience all around us cannot be simply reconciled with our knowledge of God, His character, His will, and His promises to His people.
It is the anguish of Abraham (Genesis 18) when the LORD chose to reveal His plan to destroy Sodom to Abraham. This knowledge of God's plan, coupled with Abraham's knowledge that his nephew Lot was living in that city, gave rise to Abraham's cautiously guarded prayer, as he wrestled with the possibility that God would destroy the righteous along with the wicked. This didn't fit what he thought he knew of the LORD, yet, it appeared to be what was about to happen. So, he prayed...humbly asking in repeatedly decreasing numbers, if the LORD would still destroy that sinful city if there were 50, or 40, or 30 righteous...down to ten. Abraham could not reconcile the actions God declared He would undertake, with His justice. The tenor of Abraham's prayer makes his anguish of soul quite clear. He was rewarded with a new understanding of his God, but, not without anguish of soul.
Job's ordeal is another classic example. A man whom God Himself described as blameless, nonetheless experiences such extreme anguish of soul, leading him to question all he "knew" about God. Still, in the end, he could say, I had heard of You with the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see You... Job was doubly blessed in the end, but, not without trauma of soul.
It was true of the Apostle Paul. Oh, to know the Lord as Paul knew Him. Yet, we are told of a time when he wrestled to understand why he was being prevented from moving on to share the gospel...exactly what he had been called to do...and yet, the Spirit prevented him. Why? It didn't make sense. Until, he received the vision...the Macedonian call (Acts 16). Paul knew what it was to be perplexed, though not in despair (2 Cor. 4).
It was likewise evidenced in the life of John the Baptist (Matthew 11) as, from prison, he sent to Jesus to ask, "Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for another?" John, having faithfully proclaimed the coming of the Lord, after enduring hardship and ridicule most of his life, now sits in prison, awaiting death. Is this the reward for faithful service as the messenger of the Lord? Had he been mistaken? Jesus sent John's messengers back with the words that confirmed His person and mission. Enough to see John through his coming ordeal, yet, still, he first wrestled in anguish of soul as he wondered...'till the Word of the Lord brought him clarity and comfort.
As we struggle to deal with the varied circumstances and experiences we encounter in our pilgrim journey there is, oft times, an underlying unease that results from our limited, imperfect, yet growing, knowledge of Our Lord. It is to be expected
While our circumstances and experiences might be difficult to deal with, still there is something even more troubling at times...at those times when things just don't make sense...when we're driven to question how this all fits with what we thought we knew of the character and actions of our God. This experience can be more troubling than our circumstances because, at least in part, our foundations are shaken...they are not as secure as we once thought they were. My confidence in my understanding of what (or Who) is truly MOST IMPORTANT...God Himself, is to some degree shaken.
Yet, this anguish of soul, this theological trauma, is an indication that I am, by His grace, on the path to an increased knowledge of Him, and, with that increased knowledge, a strengthened faith, as I recognize that I am continually with Him, as He holds my right hand.
This is eternal life...that we might know Him, the only true God, in and through Jesus Christ, Whom He has sent.
As Aspah begins to write, he has come full-circle through his trial of soul. And so, he acknowledges that "Truly, God is good to Israel." Immediately though, he contrasts that truth about God with what he has learned of his own character, saying "But, as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." Through this ordeal, he has, first, come to see himself more clearly, and, he's not proud of what he has seen. This too is a natural consequence of growing in our knowledge of God.
While he freely admits his "envy," it soon becomes clear that Asaph's problem was not simply that he saw all that the wicked and arrogant had, and how they lived, and wanted that for himself. In verse 16, he confesses that as he "...thought how to understand this..." it seemed to him to be a "wearisome task." Still, he needed to try to understand what he saw around him. I would suggest that his desire to understand is due to the fact that what he observed all around him just didn't fit, it didn't make sense, it couldn't be satisfactorily reconciled with what he thought he knew of the God of Israel. This, I believe, is the beginning of our understanding of the true anguish of soul Asaph was experiencing. Something far beyond mere envy, and, far more trying to his soul.
It is also important to understand that this was, for Asaph, a private anguish.
Having recounted what he saw in the lives of the wicked (vv. 3-9), Aspah writes that he had observed that the God's own people, Israel, also saw this prosperity and arrogance and were led to question (vv. 10-11), "How can God know?" "Is there any knowledge with the Most High?" Aspah's confusion and envy, are also shared by those around him. The all too understandable result is that Asaph says, within himself, "In vain I have kept my heart clean, and washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been stricken, and rebuked every morning."
Asaph, however, does not publicly admit the trauma of soul he is experiencing...and, for this, he is later thankful. He realizes, aloud, in verse 15 "If I had said, 'I will speak thus,' I would have betrayed the generation of Your children." Having come, once again, full-circle, he realizes now, as he writes, that if he had given in to simply venting his envy and confusion by questioning his God, he would have only succeeded in further shaking the faith of his fellow pilgrims...betraying them, and God. He somehow understood, based on his prior knowledge of the character of his God, that there had to be an answer, even though he could not see it. And so, he determined to first bring his anguish, his questions, to God, rather than simply commiserate with his fellow discouraged pilgrims.
It is at this point that Asaph's desire to understand begins to bear fruit, as he finally turns away from everyone and everything around him, and approaches God Himseslf...entering His sancturay. The fruit of this growth in knowledge, once again, begins with an understanding of his own bitterness, brutish behavior and ignorance (vv. 21-22). However, thankfully, it doesn't end there. Rather, he is apparently graciously gripped with the understanding that "Nevertheless..." he is constantly with his Lord, because, his Lord holds his right hand.
There is so much more to see and say with regard to this Psalm, but, this is not an attempt at a verse-by-verse exposition. Rather, it is an attempt to identify what I believe is a natural struggle to be encountered by all who would desire to grow in their knowledge of God. It is the anguish of soul that results when what we see and experience all around us cannot be simply reconciled with our knowledge of God, His character, His will, and His promises to His people.
It is the anguish of Abraham (Genesis 18) when the LORD chose to reveal His plan to destroy Sodom to Abraham. This knowledge of God's plan, coupled with Abraham's knowledge that his nephew Lot was living in that city, gave rise to Abraham's cautiously guarded prayer, as he wrestled with the possibility that God would destroy the righteous along with the wicked. This didn't fit what he thought he knew of the LORD, yet, it appeared to be what was about to happen. So, he prayed...humbly asking in repeatedly decreasing numbers, if the LORD would still destroy that sinful city if there were 50, or 40, or 30 righteous...down to ten. Abraham could not reconcile the actions God declared He would undertake, with His justice. The tenor of Abraham's prayer makes his anguish of soul quite clear. He was rewarded with a new understanding of his God, but, not without anguish of soul.
Job's ordeal is another classic example. A man whom God Himself described as blameless, nonetheless experiences such extreme anguish of soul, leading him to question all he "knew" about God. Still, in the end, he could say, I had heard of You with the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see You... Job was doubly blessed in the end, but, not without trauma of soul.
It was true of the Apostle Paul. Oh, to know the Lord as Paul knew Him. Yet, we are told of a time when he wrestled to understand why he was being prevented from moving on to share the gospel...exactly what he had been called to do...and yet, the Spirit prevented him. Why? It didn't make sense. Until, he received the vision...the Macedonian call (Acts 16). Paul knew what it was to be perplexed, though not in despair (2 Cor. 4).
It was likewise evidenced in the life of John the Baptist (Matthew 11) as, from prison, he sent to Jesus to ask, "Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for another?" John, having faithfully proclaimed the coming of the Lord, after enduring hardship and ridicule most of his life, now sits in prison, awaiting death. Is this the reward for faithful service as the messenger of the Lord? Had he been mistaken? Jesus sent John's messengers back with the words that confirmed His person and mission. Enough to see John through his coming ordeal, yet, still, he first wrestled in anguish of soul as he wondered...'till the Word of the Lord brought him clarity and comfort.
As we struggle to deal with the varied circumstances and experiences we encounter in our pilgrim journey there is, oft times, an underlying unease that results from our limited, imperfect, yet growing, knowledge of Our Lord. It is to be expected
While our circumstances and experiences might be difficult to deal with, still there is something even more troubling at times...at those times when things just don't make sense...when we're driven to question how this all fits with what we thought we knew of the character and actions of our God. This experience can be more troubling than our circumstances because, at least in part, our foundations are shaken...they are not as secure as we once thought they were. My confidence in my understanding of what (or Who) is truly MOST IMPORTANT...God Himself, is to some degree shaken.
Yet, this anguish of soul, this theological trauma, is an indication that I am, by His grace, on the path to an increased knowledge of Him, and, with that increased knowledge, a strengthened faith, as I recognize that I am continually with Him, as He holds my right hand.
This is eternal life...that we might know Him, the only true God, in and through Jesus Christ, Whom He has sent.
