Based on Philippians 3:18 I said in an earlier post that our attitude toward those who are perishing should be one of tears. But what of David who asked God to “break the teeth of the wicked” or even the Lord who “laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.” (Psalm 37:13) Contradiction? Am I to cry over the lost or rejoice that they will get what is coming to them. If God laughs at the wicked, it looks like He is pretty happy to know they will get “burned” one of these days
Yet, we know God takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” (Ezekiel 33:11). But it says He laughs at the wicked knowing their day will come. Is God schizophrenic? Is this a contradiction in the Bible?
No, it is easily understood when we realize that the Old Testament often provides physical pictures for us to illustrate spiritual truths. A physical lamb illustrated Jesus, the spiritual lamb of God. The bronze serpent lifted up that brought healing to those who looked on it speaks of Jesus becoming sin for us on the cross to provide healing for all who will look to Him (Numbers 21:8). The OT is filled with physical illustrations of spiritual truths.
In the NT our battle is not against flesh and blood. Your enemy is not that nasty boss or your atheist neighbors. Our battle, our enemy, is against spiritual forces. It is still proper for us to pray, “break the teeth of the wicked” when we understand we are talking about the spiritual forces of wickedness, not the human vessels they use to accomplish their wickedness. Yes, God laughs at Satan’s attempts to thwart His will for God knows Satan’s “day is coming”.
God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, neither should we. But we can rejoice that the teeth of the roaring lion, Satan, have been broken and that Satan will one day be cast into the pit to never again tempt mankind into rebellion against God.
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Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.