In one of his answers to the speech of one of his friends, Job takes occasion to propose the question: “Wherefore the wicked live, become old, yea are mighty in power?” He does not actually answer the question according to its specific terms, but rather gives a detailed description of how the wicked in cases prosper at their will in worldly things. Then he relates that on account of their prosperity “They say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.” This has been true of many down through the ages and not always of those who have had a conspicuous measure of temporal prosperity. And this God dishonouring and God provoking petition implies that those who speak thus, in one way or another, have been made aware of the revelation God gives of Himself and of His claims in law and gospel upon the children of men. There are many and diverse ways by which sinners, in effect, express themselves as Job asserts regarding the wicked. Today, many in their own way give expression to this desire relative to God: “Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways” (Job xxi: 14). Let us note some of those ways.
There are those who definitely and wilfully regulate their lives by that which is right in their own eyes, having no regard for the mind of God expressed in His Word. Such will not tolerate counsel from any who may be fitted to advise them.
Then there are such as have in view primarily, what they shall eat, what they shall drink and wherewithal shall they be clothed. Their minds are absorbed in, and their energies applied to, the pursuit of worldly and temporal things and comforts, without a thought for the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. In other words, they are earthly minded, as Paul asserts respecting the enemies of the Cross of Christ.
Another and a conspicuous aspect of this evil attitude to God is the making void the law of God in heart, walk and conversation. Men live in utter disregard to, and in defiance of the Moral law, calling evil good and good evil. This generation is outstandingly guilty in this regard.
And what of multitudes who know, in a manner, what the Bible contains and stands for? In their private lives, they ignore completely the Word of God, the most wonderful book in the world, and never read or search it for spiritual enlightenment or guidance. They love the darkness rather than the light because their deeds are evil.
Again, there is the sad case of a goodly number who at one time in their history were conversant with the house of God and the preaching of the gospel of Christ; and who have turned their backs upon these precious privileges. In their young years they were brought by their parents regularly to hear the gospel of salvation. But now they have come of age, they reveal that their desire is that God would depart from them.
It may be that some who come regularly under the hearing of the word of the truth of the gospel, would be shocked if told they also were saying to God, “Depart from us.” But the fact is, that those who are at ease in Zion under the gospel, and continue in formality, unbelief and hardness of heart, rejecting the loving Redeemer, are in their own way saying this very thing.
And those who have no gracious, active and prayerful interest in the prosperity of the gospel of Christ and His Church and Cause, in the midst of an evil world and a dark day spiritually, are also in their own way contributing to the deplorable conduct of the wicked who say: “What is the Almighty that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have if we pray unto Him?” (Job xxi: 15). This is somewhat of the Pharaoh spirit, who said to Moses and Aaron: “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?” (Genesis v: 2).
What an entirely different exercise the prophet Jeremiah had in the midst of a backsliding people in Jerusalem and Judah. On one occasion in praying for the sinful nation, one of his petitions to the Lord was: “Leave us not.” This is indeed the heart’s desire and prayer of those who truly fear the Lord, and it will manifest itself in their lives and devotion to the Lord in varied ways.
The day of Judgment is yet to come. Then the Lord Jesus will say to those on His left hand “Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire.” No man will say in that day to the Lord: “Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.” They will be weeping and wailing over the consequences of their enmity to the Lord and His blessed ways while they were in the world. To sinners now, the Lord Jesus declares: “Repent and believe the gospel.”