Readings in Proverbs
Readings in Proverbs, Day 5
Day 5: Righteousness and Wickedness – part 1 Ill-gotten gain at first glance may look like a superb feast, but soon the food turns rotten, becoming infested with maggots! It […]
Day 5: Righteousness and Wickedness – part 1
Ill-gotten gain at first glance may look like a superb feast, but soon the food turns rotten, becoming infested with maggots! It is righteousness that delivers us from death (Prov. 10:2).
We see an example of this in the days of Micah: the judges of Jerusalem gave “judgment for a bribe”, the priests taught, but only “for a price” and the prophets told fortunes in return “for money.” In all this, they then had the gall to “lean on the LORD and say, ‘Is not the LORD in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us (Micah 3:11).’” Yet, Micah also prophesied of a time when a Ruler would come from Bethlehem, whose coming is of old (Micah 5:2). Our righteousness before God is in Him, Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21). In the end, the righteous will remain, but the wicked will fade (Prov. 10:30). In God’s grace, He cares for the righteous and thwarts the wicked (Prov. 10:3). God will protect His land from impurity (Prov. 10:30).
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.
– Prov. 10:2
The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
– Prov. 10:3
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
– Prov. 10:6
The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.
– Prov. 10:16
What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
– Prov. 10:24
When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.
– Prov. 10:25
The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
– Prov. 10:28
The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
– Prov. 10:30
The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
– Prov. 11:5
Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world, exposing all within us. Yet You promise that whoever follows You will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. What a bountiful promise! Lord, the righteous are delivered from death, provided for, blessed, have life, see their desires come true, stand forever and have joy.
Forgive us for ever thinking that sin is pleasure. Instead, show us more and more that true life is found in You alone, O God of Wisdom.
We pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
