Futility of Worldly Hope and Expectation in Scripture
Scripture frequently highlights the futility of placing hope and expectation in worldly things, contrasting it with a hope rooted in God. The book of Ecclesiastes, for instance, often emphasizes the vanity of earthly pursuits, with the Preacher concluding that much of human labor yields no solid fruit [8]. Similarly, the Psalmist, reflecting on the brevity of life and the transient nature of worldly comforts, turns his focus heavenward, recognizing that true satisfaction is found in God alone [6].
The Bible illustrates this futility in several ways. For the wicked, hope perishes at death, and any expectation of power or worldly gain comes to nothing [2, 7]. Matthew Henry notes that even wicked individuals may harbor confident expectations of happiness in this life or the next, but these hopes are ultimately frustrated by death [9]. The "happiness of the wicked" is described as limited to this life, short-lived, uncertain, and vain, often derived from fleeting sources like wealth, power, or popular applause [4].
The concept extends beyond the wicked to the general human condition. Romans 8:20 states that creation itself "has been subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it, in hope" [1]. This suggests a broader context of brokenness that affects all earthly endeavors. The book of Job also speaks to the vanity of certain hopes, noting, "Behold, the hope of him is in vain" [3].
In contrast to worldly hope, Christian hope is presented as distinct and enduring. If Christian hope were limited to this life, believers would be "of all men, most to be pitied," especially given the trials and persecutions they face [5]. This is because Christian hope, including the hope of salvation, is fundamentally tied to the resurrection of Christ [5]. Without this, Christ's death would be ineffectual [5]. The Psalmist, in moments of anguish, finds himself without hope unless the Lord answers his prayers, longing for God's redemption when faced with the inevitability of death [10]. This underscores that true, lasting hope is found not in earthly circumstances or achievements, but in God.
Sources
- Romans “Romans 8:20 (LEB) — For the creation has been subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it, in hope”
- Proverbs “When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing. -- Proverbs 11:7”
- Job “Behold, the hope of him is in vain. Won’t one be cast down even at the sight of him? -- Job 41:9”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Happiness of the Wicked, The — Is limited to this life -- Ps 17:14; Lu 16:25. Is short -- Job 20:5. Is uncertain -- Lu 12:20; Jas 4:13,14. Is vain -- Ec 2:1; 7:6. Is derived from Their wealth. -- Job 21:13; Ps 52:7. Their power. -- Job 21:7; Ps 37:35. Their worldly prosperity. -- Ps 17:14; 73:3,4,7. Popular applause. -- Ac 12:22. Gluttony. -- Isa 22:13; Hab 1:16. Drunkenness. -- Isa 5:11; 56:12. Vain pleasure. -- Job 21:12; Isa 5:12. Successful oppression. -- Hab 1:15; Jas 5:6. Marred by jealousy -- Es 5:13. Often interrupted by judgments -- Nu 11:33; Job 15:21; Ps 7”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:19: If our hopes in Christ were limited to this life only, we should be, of all men, most to be pitied; namely, because, while others live unmolested, we are exposed to every trial and persecution, and, after all, are doomed to bitter disappointment in our most cherished hope; for all our hope of salvation, even of the soul (not merely of the body), hangs on the resurrection of Christ, without which His death would be of no avail to us (Eph 1:19-20; Pe1 1:3). The heathen are "without hope" (Eph 2:12; Th1 4:13). We should be even worse, for we shoul”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 39:7: The psalmist, having meditated on the shortness and uncertainty of life, and the vanity and vexation of spirit that attend all the comforts of life, here, in these verses, turns his eyes and heart heaven-ward. When there is no solid satisfaction to be had in the creature it is to be found in God, and in communion with him; and to him we should be driven by our disappointments in the world. David here expresses, I. His dependence on God, Psa 39:7. Seeing all is vanity, and man himself is so, 1. He despairs of a happiness in the things of the world, and disclaims al”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 11:7: expectation . . . perish--for death cuts short all his plans (Luk 16:25). hope of unjust--better, "hope of wealth," or "power" (compare Isa 40:29, Hebrew). This gives an advance on the sentiment of the first clause. Even hopes of gain die with him.”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 2:20: I gave up as desperate all hope of solid fruit from my labor.”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 11:7: Note, 1. Even wicked men, while they live, may keep up a confident expectation of a happiness when they die, or at least a happiness in this world. The hypocrite has his hope, in which he wraps himself as the spider in her web. The worldling expects great matters from his wealth; he calls it goods laid up for many years, and hopes to take his ease in it and to be merry; but in death their expectation will be frustrated: the worldling must leave this world which he expected to continue in and the hypocrite will come short of that world which he expected to remove”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 13:2: 13:2 A sense of anguish and sorrow closes off any perspective of hope (6:3). Unless the Lord answers the psalmist’s prayers (22:1), death seems inescapable, torturous, and slow (6:6; 32:3; 55:4; 61:2; 102:5; 116:3). The psalmist hardly knows how to pray; he longs for God’s redemption (25:17-18; 31:10; 38:8; 39:2).”