Read Proverbs 10:22–32
Questions from the Scripture text: What makes one rich (Proverbs 10:22a)? What does it not do at all (verse 22b)? Who makes light of evil (Proverbs 10:23a)? What opposite alternative is there (verse 23b)? What will come upon the wicked (Proverbs 10:24a)? What will be granted to the righteous (verse 24b)? What happens to the wicked (Proverbs 10:25a)? Why doesn’t it happen to the righteous (verse 25b)? What effect/results does a lazy appointee produce (Proverbs 10:26)? What prolongs days (Proverbs 10:27a)? What shortens years (verse 27b)? What hope is realized for the righteous (Proverbs 10:28a)? What happens to the expectation of the wicked (verse 28b)? What gives whom strength (Proverbs 10:29a)? But what will come to whom (verse 29b)? What will never happen to the righteous (Proverbs 10:30a)? What can’t the wicked do (verse 30b)? What will bring forth what (Proverbs 10:31a, Proverbs 10:32a)? Who will lose that chance (Proverbs 10:31b)? Why (Proverbs 10:32b)?
What differentiates the wicked from the righteous? Proverbs 10:22–32 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the wicked and the righteous have opposite character, opposite destinies, and opposite effects upon others.
The general theme of this section is the outcomes to which the wise/righteous come over/against those to which the foolish/wicked come. Proverbs 10:22 gives the thesis: the wise/righteous have YHWH Himself as their blessing. This is true wealth, of such a quality that nothing can dampen or diminish it (cf. 1 Peter 1:3–5). I hope, dear reader, that this is your wealth, your blessing, your hope.
Proverbs 10:23 differentiates between the fool and the wise in their character. The wicked don’t just do evil; they think it a small thing to do it. The wise take their sin seriously.
Proverbs 10:24, Proverbs 10:25, Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 10:28, Proverbs 10:29, Proverbs 10:30 differentiate between their destinies. The wicked will suffer what they fear (Proverbs 10:24a), be eliminated by judgment (Proverbs 10:25a), and quickly at that (Proverbs 10:27b). Their desires will perish (Proverbs 10:28b), they will come to destruction (Proverbs 10:29b), and they will not remain (Proverbs 10:30b). By contrast, the righteous will gain their desire (the Lord Himself! Proverbs 10:24b), be established securely (Proverbs 10:25b) and forever (Proverbs 10:27a), gain the gladness (the Lord Himself!) for which they hope (Proverbs 10:28a), and the strength of YHWH’s way (Proverbs 10:29a) to entrench him forever (Proverbs 10:30a).
This contrast in character, and in ultimate destiny, is also reflected in the impact that the wicked and righteous have upon others. Proverbs 10:26 makes this point in light of Proverbs 10:4-5, and Proverbs 10:31-32 make the point in light of Proverbs 10:6-21. The lazy man (Proverbs 10:4-5) doesn’t just fail for himself; his failure both irritates and debilitates those depending upon him (like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, Proverbs 10:26a). Those of wicked mouth corrupt others (Proverbs 10:32b) until there is no more tolerance for their speech whatsoever (Proverbs 10:31b). But those of righteous mouth know what is wise and acceptable (Proverbs 10:32a) and bring it forth for others (Proverbs 10:31a).
May others find you righteous in diligence and speech, through Christ’s character applied to you by His Spirit. And may you have Him as your gladness and strength, your sure hope forever.
What is your desire? What should it be? How does the Spirit improve this? What use are you making of it? What is your hope? What should it be? How does the Spirit improve this? What use are you making of it? What is your strength? What should it be? How does the Spirit improve this? What use are you making of it? What is the experience of those who depend upon you? What is the experience of those who listen to you?
Sample prayer: Lord, we thank You for giving us Christ, Your own wisdom, as the true wise Man. How marvelous are His gladness, His strength, His hope, His dominion forever! Grant that Your Spirit would give us not only faith in Him to be united to Him, but also to bring us into the obtaining and practice of His wisdom, the enjoyment of His gladness, the power of His strength, the confidence of His hope, and the possession of His inheritance, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
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