The Unsettling Silence | When The Wicked Prosper And We Wait

The image is seared into my memory. I was sitting in a crowded coffee shop, trying to focus on the words of my siddur, but my attention was pulled to a nearby table. A man, loud and impeccably dressed, was holding court. He spoke with a brash confidence about a recent business deal—how he had acquired a block of affordable housing units, evicted the long-term, struggling tenants, and was now converting them into luxury condos. He laughed about “cleaning up the neighborhood,” his diamond-crusted watch catching the light as he gestured. His friends cheered him on, toasting to his “vision” and “success.”

My stomach churned. I thought of Mrs. Goldstein, an elderly widow in our community who had just received a similar eviction notice. I thought of the prayers we had prayed for her, the helpless feeling as we watched her pack a lifetime of memories into small boxes. And here was the architect of such pain, not just unpunished, but celebrated. Rewarded. It felt like a slap in the face to everything I believed about a just God.

In that moment, and in many since, the ancient cry of the prophet Habakkuk felt like my own: “How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?” (Habakkuk 1:2-3). If you have ever watched the wicked flourish while the righteous suffer, if you have ever felt your prayers hit the ceiling as injustice seems to win the day, then you, my friend, are not alone. We are standing together in this painful, confusing tension.

A Struggle as Old as Time: You Are Not Crazy for Noticing

When we see the greedy amass fortunes on the backs of the poor, when we see the corrupt wield power without consequence, our souls rightly rebel. This dissonance is not a failure of your faith; it is a sign that God’s law of justice is written on your heart (Romans 2:15). You are echoing the cries of the Psalmists who dared to be honest with God.

Psalm 73:2-3, 16-17 (TLV)

“But as for me, my feet almost slipped. My steps nearly slid out from under me. For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked… When I tried to understand this, it was troublesome in my eyes—until I came into the sanctuaries of God. Then I perceived their end.”

The psalmist Asaph is brutally honest. He confesses that seeing the wicked prosper almost caused him to lose his footing. His faith was shaken. This is a holy and permitted struggle! Notice where he finds clarity: not in the courtroom of public opinion, not in the ledger of worldly wealth, but in the sanctuary of God. In the place of worship and perspective, he begins to see the bigger picture. In our daily lives, when the injustice feels overwhelming, this verse invites us to intentionally step into God’s presence—through prayer, worship, or reading Scripture—to regain a heavenly perspective on earthly circumstances.

The Paradox of Patience: Why Does God Allow It?

This is the core of our anguish: Why? If God is all-powerful and all-good, why does He allow this phenomenon to continue? The Scriptures point us not to a simple answer, but to a profound mystery centered on God’s character.

2 Peter 3:9 (TLV)

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some consider slowness. Rather, He is being patient toward you—not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”

This verse reframes the entire situation. What we perceive as God’s slowness or indifference is actually His immense patience. The continued prosperity of the wicked is not a sign of God’s approval, but a window of opportunity for repentance. Every day the unjust businessman continues in his success is another day that the Spirit of God may be convicting him, drawing him, offering him a chance to turn. This is a difficult pill to swallow, because we want justice now. But God’s priority is redemption. In our everyday interactions, this challenges us to pray for the salvation of those who oppress others, aligning our hearts with God’s redemptive purpose, even when it feels counterintuitive.

The True Scorecard: Redefining Success and Prosperity

The world’s system of measurement is flawed. It counts wealth, power, and fame. God’s economy is entirely different. Yeshua directly addressed this tension, urging us to see beyond the temporary to the eternal.

Luke 6:24-25 (TLV)

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your comfort. Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.”

These are hard words. They are not a condemnation of wealth itself, but a stark warning against finding one’s ultimate security and identity in it. The “comfort” the wicked receive now is, in the grand scheme of eternity, their entire reward. What looks like success from a worldly perspective is, from a heavenly one, a tragic poverty. When we feel the sting of injustice, this teaching helps us recalibrate our definition of blessing. True prosperity is shalom with God, a clean heart, and a eternal inheritance. This doesn’t erase the present pain, but it anchors us in a hope that cannot be seized or evicted.

The Assurance of Justice: The Final Chapter is Already Written

The Prophets thunder with the certainty of God’s coming justice. The world’s stage may seem dominated by wicked players, but the Director has already written the final act.

Isaiah 26:10 (TLV)

“Though grace is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of uprightness he acts unjustly, and does not perceive the majesty of Adonai.”

This verse explains part of the “why.” God’s common grace—His sun and rain on the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45)—is meant to lead to repentance. Yet, many, when shown grace, only harden their hearts further. But Isaiah’s prophecy continues with a promise: God’s justice will prevail. The seeming reward of the wicked is temporary. Our calling is to trust in the ultimate rightness of God’s timeline. In practical terms, this means we can release the burden of being the ultimate avengers. We can work for justice while resting in the knowledge that final judgment belongs to the Lord.

Our Role in the Waiting: To Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly

So what do we do while we wait? We do not succumb to despair or bitterness. We actively participate in God’s kingdom work, becoming agents of His justice and mercy in a broken world.

Micah 6:8 (TLV)

“He has told you, humanity, what is good, and what Adonai is seeking from you: Only to practice justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

This is our marching orders. We may not be able to dismantle every corrupt system, but we can:

· Practice Justice: Advocate for the Mrs. Goldsteins in our community. Support ethical businesses. Speak up for the voiceless.

· Love Mercy: Extend compassion to those who are hurting. Forgive those who have wronged us, releasing the poison of bitterness.

· Walk Humbly: Remember that we, too, are recipients of God’s immense patience and mercy. We trust His plan even when we don’t understand it.

A Community of Hope and Shared Mission

The pain of injustice is too heavy to carry alone. God never intended for us to. He placed us in a community—a kehillah—to bear one another’s burdens. When you are weary from the fight, lean on your brothers and sisters. When you see another growing faint, offer your strength.

This blog, this little corner of light, is part of that community. It exists to encourage, equip, and remind us that we are part of a story that ends not in despair, but in the triumphant reign of our Messiah, Yeshua. If these words have been a balm to your soul, if you feel a kinship in this struggle, then you are already part of this family.

This work of providing encouragement and Torah-based, Messiah-centered insight is a shared mission. If you feel led, there are several beautiful ways you can help this community grow and strengthen:

· Pray: Pray for wisdom and comfort for all who are struggling with these questions.

· Share: Share this article with someone you know who needs this encouragement today.

· Encourage: Leave a comment below sharing your own story. Your testimony can be someone else’s answered prayer.

· Give: If you are able and feel called, your financial support helps keep this platform running and accessible to all.

No pressure, only an open invitation. We are in this together, walking each other home, until the day when every wrong is made right, and we see the full, beautiful picture of God’s perfect justice and love.

Shalom aleichem, peace be upon you. May the God of all comfort grant you His shalom as you navigate this broken world with faithful, hopeful hearts.