Job 24

There is a lot of talk about justice these days—especially in the "enlightened" and "educated" culture of the West. And this topic of discussion is not limited to any particular arena. You hear it discussed both inside and outside of the church. There are a lot of different ideas about justice. What is it? When is it achieved? How is it achieved? Is justice achieved at the level of treatment (that is, how people are treated) or at the level of outcomes (that is, what happens to people)?

I think, whether he knew it or not, Job touched on that in this chapter: "God drags away the mighty by his power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life. He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but his eyes are on their ways. For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain." (vs 22-24)

So, what Job is saying is that even though the wicked may seem to prosper in this life, they end up just like everybody else—in the grave. This is the way of every person, wicked or righteous, rich or poor, young or old. No matter the choices they make in life, all are treated the same by God.

Need some more evidence of that? Check out these passages:"I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt 5:44-48)

Here, Jesus tells His followers to be perfect as God is perfect—by doing what? Treating the wicked and the righteous alike. God sends blessings on both the righteous and the unrighteous. He repays good for evil. He doesn’t treat His "good" children one way and His "bad" children another way. He treats all with equal love and compassion. He exercises equal justice.

But that’s in this life. What about in "ultimate" terms? What about on that day of judgment?"The day of judgment is certain to come. And it will be like a red-hot furnace with flames that burn up proud and sinful people, as though they were straw. Not a branch or a root will be left. I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken! But for you that honor my name, victory will shine like the sun with healing in its rays, and you will jump around like calves at play. When I come to bring justice, you will trample those who are evil, as though they were ashes under your feet. I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken!" (Mal 4:1-3)

Who gets hit with the fire? Everybody! Did you notice that? The flames will "burn up proud and sinful people," but the righteous will experience those flames as a "sun with healing in its rays." The outcomes are very different, but the treatment is the same. God doesn’t treat His "wicked" children any differently than His "righteous" children. He treats His children as He does based on who He is, not based on who they are.

This goes right along with the question Isaiah asked: "'Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?'" And the answer: "Those who walk righteously and speak what is right." (Isa 33:14-15) All will meet with fire, because God Himself is fire! (Heb 12:29) but some will live in that fire, and some will die in that fire. God, however, treats all His children equally.

Isn’t it time we stop thinking of God (much less portraying Him) as a person who doles out rewards to His friends and punishments to His enemies? In the great scheme of things, God treats everyone the same. He practices equal justice. That means, to both the righteous and the wicked, He exercises patience, love, discipline, grace, and generosity. What we do with it and how it ultimately affects us is up to us.