Wisdom 3:1-9
Chapter 3
1
The Righteous Are at Peace
The souls of the righteous are in God’s hands, and no suffering shall harm them.2
In the eyes of the foolish, they seem dead. Their departure is regarded as a tragedy;
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it looks like they lose everything by leaving us, but they are at peace.
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Although it appears they have been punished, immortality was the hope of their soul.
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After mild suffering, great blessings will follow, for God has tested them and found them worthy to be with him;
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after refining them like gold in the furnace, he has accepted them as a sacrifice.
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When he comes, they will shine like sparks flying in the dry grass.
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They will lead nations and govern peoples, and the Lord will reign as their king forever.
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Those who trust in him will understand the truth, and those faithful will live in his love, for his grace and mercy are for his chosen ones.
Commentaries
Final Judgment.
The wise man and the fool are the two extremes in this first section. The former acknowledges himself as part of God’s plan; the latter, on the other hand, relies solely on his own strength. According to the book of Wisdom, God’s judgment will come relentlessly upon the wicked as punishment. Two thousand years later, this message still holds relevance: those who know God understand they are in his hands, part of his plan, established long ago.
The Righteous Are at Peace.
What is the purpose of the suffering of the righteous? What reward do they receive? Suffering serves as a test to purify the believer’s faith (Gn 22:1; Tob 12:13; Job 1:2; Ps 66:10; 1 Pet 1:6f). At the end of time, there will be a judgment where God will step in for the righteous (Dan 12:3; Mt 13:43) and against the wicked (cf. Is 1:31; 5:24; Nah 1:10; Ob 18; Zec 12:6; Mal 3:10). The answer to the problem of retribution must also be lived out today among Christians. Suffering can be seen as God’s call to solidarity and hope, as a chance to recognize the signs of the kingdom already present in this world.