Mystery of Unequal Rewards and Blessings in Scripture
The mystery of unequal rewards and blessings in Scripture is a complex issue that has puzzled theologians and believers for centuries. The biblical text presents a reality where the righteous often suffer while the wicked prosper, a phenomenon that is described in various passages, including Ecclesiastes 4:1 and Job 6:30 [5, 6].
One possible explanation lies in the biblical concept of "mystery," which refers to a truth that is not fully understandable by human reasoning but is revealed through divine revelation [1]. The apostle Paul writes about the "depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God" and how "unsearchable are his judgments and how incomprehensible are his ways" (Romans 11:33) [2]. This suggests that God's ways and judgments are beyond human comprehension, and the distribution of rewards and blessings may be part of this mystery.
The biblical text also highlights the role of sin and unrighteousness in the lives of individuals. The Psalmist laments about the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous (Psalms 35:11, 58:3) [3, 7]. However, the biblical narrative also emphasizes that true riches and blessings come from God, and that He gives power to obtain wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18; 1 Samuel 2:7) [4].
one commentary tradition on Proverbs 30:8 notes that "vanity" refers to all sorts of sinful acts, suggesting that the pursuit of wealth and material possessions can be a form of sinful behavior [8]. In contrast, the godly are promised happiness and satisfaction, even in the midst of suffering (Psalm 84:11; Matthew 5:5) [11].
The mystery of unequal rewards and blessings is also related to the doctrine of the Gospel, which is described as a "mystery" that has been revealed through divine revelation (Ephesians 3:3; Matthew 13:11) [9, 10]. The Baptist/Reformed commentary on Ephesians 3:3 notes that the Gospel is a "hidden mystery" that includes doctrines such as the trinity of persons in the Godhead and the union of the two natures in Christ [9].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mystery — The calling of the Gentiles into the Christian Church, so designated (Eph. 1:9, 10; 3:8-11; Col. 1:25-27); a truth undiscoverable except by revelation, long hid, now made manifest. The resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:51), and other doctrines which need to be explained but which cannot be fully understood by finite intelligence (Matt. 13:11; Rom. 11:25; 1 Cor. 13:2); the union between Christ and his people symbolized by the marriage union (Eph. 5:31, 32; comp. 6:19); the seven stars and the seven candlesticks (Rev. 1:20); and the woman clothed in scarlet”
- Romans “Romans 11:33 (LEB) — Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how incomprehensible are his ways!”
- Psalms “Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They ask me about things that I don’t know about. -- Psalms 35:11”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Riches — The true riches -- Eph 3:8; 1Co 1:30; Col 2:3; 1Pe 2:7. God gives -- 1Sa 2:7; Ec 5:19. To God belongs this world's riches -- Hag 2:8. God gives power to obtain -- De 8:18. The blessing of the Lord brings -- Pr 10:22. Give worldly power -- Pr 22:7. Described as Temporary. -- Pr 27:24. Uncertain. -- 1Ti 6:17. Unsatisfying. -- Ec 4:8; 5:10. Corruptible. -- Jas 5:2; 1Pe 1:18. Fleeting. -- Pr 23:5; Re 18:16,17. Deceitful. -- Mt 13:22. Liable to be stolen. -- Mt 6:19. Perishable. -- Jer 48:36. Thick clay. -- Hab 2:6. Often an obstruction to the reception of the go”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ecclesiastes 4:1 cross-references: Exodus 1:13, Exodus 1:16, Exodus 1:22, Exodus 2:23, Exodus 5:16, Exodus 5:18, Deuteronomy 28:33, Deuteronomy 28:48, Judges 4:3, Judges 10:7, Nehemiah 5:1, Job 6:29, Job 9:24, Job 16:4, Job 19:21, Job 24:7, Job 24:12, Job 35:9, Psalms 10:9, Psalms 12:5, Psalms 42:3, Psalms 42:9, Psalms 69:20, Psalms 69:21, Psalms 80:5, Psalms 102:8, Psalms 142:4, Psalms 142:5, Proverbs 19:7, Proverbs 28:3, Proverbs 28:15, Proverbs 29:2, Ecclesiastes 3:16, Ecclesiastes 5:8, Ecclesiastes 7:7, Isaiah 5:7, Isaiah 51:23, Isaiah 59:7, Isaiah 59:13, Lamentations 1:2, Lamentations 1:9”
- Job “Job 6:30 (LEB) — Is there injustice on my tongue? Or can my palate not discern calamity?”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:3: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery,.... Or "is made known unto me": so the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin version. The Gospel, which is sometimes called a mystery, the mystery of the Gospel, the mystery of godliness, and the mystery of faith: the several doctrines of the Gospel are the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; such as a trinity of persons in the Godhead, the union of the two natures in Christ, the saints' union to Christ, and communion with him, the resurrection of the dead, and the change of living saints, ”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 13:11: He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven--The word "mysteries" in Scripture is not used in its classical sense--of religious secrets, nor yet of things incomprehensible, or in their own nature difficult to be understood--but in the sense of things of purely divine revelation, and, usually, things darkly announced under the ancient economy, and during all that period darkly understood, but fully published under the Gospel (Co1 2:6-10; Eph 3:3-6, Eph 3:8-9). "The mysteries of the kingdo”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 2:26: True, literally, in the Jewish theocracy; and in some measure in all ages (Job 27:16-17; Pro 13:22; Pro 28:8). Though the retribution be not so visible and immediate now as then, it is no less real. Happiness even here is more truly the portion of the godly (Psa 84:11; Mat 5:5; Mar 10:29-30; Rom 8:28; Ti1 4:8). that he--the sinner may give--that is, unconsciously and in spite of himself. The godly Solomon had satisfaction in his riches and wisdom, when God gave them (Ch2 1:11-12). The backsliding Solomon had no happiness when he sought it in ”