Wisdom Wednesday: When Will You be Wise?

Wisdom Wednesday: When Will You be Wise?

Submitted by Debbie’s Dad

Understand, you senseless among the people; And you fools, when will you be wise?

He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?

He who formed the eye, shall He not see?

 He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct,

He who teaches man knowledge?

 The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile. (Psalm 94:8-11 NKJV)

Psalm 94 is a prayer that appeals to the Lord God of vengeance (v.1) Who is the Judge of the Earth (v.2) to punish the wicked. Vengeance, or revenge is a judgment or punishment due to an act of wickedness. The Bible clearly states that vengeance is reserved for God alone:

• ‘Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.’ 32:35.
• Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let there be known among the nations in our sight, Vengeance for the blood of Your servants which has been shed. 79:10.
• Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 12:19 (See also Heb. 10:30).

“How long?” the psalmist cries, shall the wicked triumph over God’s people.

The Psalmist then calls for the wicked to be punished, citing the specific kinds of sins they commit:

• Their speech – They are insolent; they speak with pride; they are rude and without respect (v.4)
• Their oppression – They afflict God’s people (v. 5).
• Their abuse of the weak – They destroy the poor and needy (widows, foreigners, orphans) (v.6). Isaiah is more specific saying they deprive the needy of justice, rob the poor of their rights, and steal from orphans (Isa 10:2).
• Their boast – They even go so far as to declare that God (the creator God, the God of Jacob- the Jewish people) does not even see their wickedness (v.7).

Next, the psalmist turns to speak to the wicked in the passage above (verses 8-11) and challenges them to pay attention! He calls them “fools” and asks when they will be wise – or gain understanding. (This is like asking, “when will you ever learn?”)

He asks them in sequence,

1. Will the Creator of the ear not hear their wicked words?
2. Will the Creator of their eyes not see their wicked acts?
3. Will the Sovereign over nations not correct them?

The psalmist simply concludes that God even knows their wicked thoughts, and those thoughts are futile. Let us remember that God repays the wicked and blesses those who trust in Him. He hears their boasting, He sees their wicked acts, and in His time will execute vengeance. We demonstrate God’s faithfulness by our trust in Him and His ultimate justice.