" Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out." - Proverbs 24:19-20
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This week we will wrap up the sub-section of our study of Proverbs (v 10:3 got us started here) relating to the topic of the wicked.
Last week, when we looked at the "Feet" aspect of the wicked, we saw that feet in the Word were representative of position, direction/path/choices, actions, fellow travellers (those whose communion is "the bread of wickedness, and the wine of violence" - Prov 4:17)... and ultimate destination... destruction.
This week, we will attempt to group together verses from this book that give us more insight into the intents and behaviour of the wicked, and their final destination.
SET D : The Destination of the wicked
There is no ambiguity here, and no need for exposition... the Holy Spirit has given us enough ink in one book for us to get the point!
Pro_2:22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
Pro_3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh
Pro 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
Pro_10:7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot..
Pro_10:16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
Pro_10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
Pro_10:25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
Pro_10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
Pro_10:28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
Pro_10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
Pro_11:5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
Pro_11:7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
Its only fair and just that both wickedness and righteousness have consequences.
Pro_11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a --sure reward.
Pro_11:31 Behold, the righteous --shall be-- recompensed --in the earth: ---much more--- the wicked and the sinner.
Please note, in the last one it says... "in the earth" ... not heaven, not later, recompense is promised "in the lifetime" of the righteous/wicked!
Pro_11:5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
Pro_11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Pro_11:23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the --expectation of the wicked is --wrath.
Pro_12:2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
Pro_12:7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
Pro_12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
Pro_12:21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
Pro_13:2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
Pro_13:25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Pro_14:11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
Pro_29:16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
Wow... the Lord does not mince His Words at all! We hope that like us, you too can see a clear line of demarcation between the wicked/righteous camps.
Why? For that, we have to take a look at the proverbs that give us insight into their doings.
SET E: The Works of the Wicked
We have seen the summary in our earlier studies...
Pro 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Violence:
Pro_10:6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Pro_10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked
Pro_28:17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
Lying/Deceit
Pro_12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
Pro_12:6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
Pro_13:5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
Bribery
Pro_17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Pride
Pro_21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Bad Intent
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
Bad Governance/Disrespect for Law/Perjury
Pro_28:4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
Pro_28:15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
Pro_29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Pro_29:7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
Pro_29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
Pure Hate:
Pro_29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
CONCLUSION:
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So how should we deal with the wicked?
Ans:
1. Big Picture (Humanity) : You don't have to do a thing - For the destruction of the wicked is part of God's plan from day 1, and He will bring it to pass!
2. Practically (Me personally) :
a. You have to wrestle against the desperately wicked heart you have been born with... by invoking the Grace and Mercy of the Spirit through prayer - to have Him Help you overcome!
You can't do it in your own strength, because you are just not wired that way! But take heart, that the LIGHT of the knowledge of God has shone in your heart to reveal the beauty of God, His Christ, and His Spirit to you.. and that He will transform your spiritual and physical essence to be DISTINCT and SEPERATE from the wicked. Be thankful for that LIGHT because it is not given to everyone! Hallelujah!
b. You have to resist wickedness when you come across it... for your sake, and for the benefit of those around you. You WILL have to take a stand... God is not, Evil is not, and you cannot -- be neutral!!!
Pro_24:24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
Pro_25:5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Let us give thanks for the light of the knowledge of God, His Wisdom, His Promises, His Word! Lord open the eyes of your people that they might see!!
Hallelujah!