Scripture Text: Proverbs 3:31-32
Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are in his confidence.
Proverbs 3:31-32
"There is an evil l have seen under the sun", said King Solomon. He saw a person who was stubborn in his wickedness in those times. The Bible said do not envy even if they prosper.
Now, we see the opposite in life, the one who is godly and fair in his work seems to deserve less than the one who is perverse and arrogant. They are free from burdens common to man. The psalmist in Psalm 73 illustrates that the violent man is always carefree and increases in wealth. The psalmist envied because the wicked prospered, until the psalmist found out that the Lord is good, the Lord is his refuge, because there is nothing to envy and nothing to worry about the wicked—he knows the fate of those evil ones.
I remembered King Ahab and prophet Elijah, these two men contrast each other. A bad king and a godly prophet. King Ahab has done more evil in the eyes of the Lord. He married a pagan queen Jezebel and began to serve Baal and worshipped him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple he built for him in Samaria. King Ahab also listened to her wicked wife who urged him to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. King Ahab prospered and chose the wicked ways and deserved everything and got what he may want, but in the end, the wicked will not prevail.
In contrast, the prophet Elijah was suffered for doing good. He was almost killed by Jezebel for her threat on him and he was afraid and ran for his life. However, the Lord never forgot his servant. The Lord always protects His people. When Elijah finished his duty, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and Elijah went up to heaven in whirlwind.
What is the lesson here? Proverbs says do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways. Avoid the wicked things of the evil man, do not walk or travel on it because the evil man will be destroyed sooner or later. The Lord detests a perverse man.
We Christians, when we obey the teaching of our Lord to be godly, the Lord will take the upright into His confidence we will enjoy the goodness of God in our life here and for eternity. We must chose God instead of evil.
Reflect
1. Do you envy when the wicked prosper? 2. Do you travel in their ways of wickedness?
Remember
In our life, we see good and evil. Always keep the command of God to avoid wicked things, then our life will be free of worries because the Lord will help us in our troubles.
Read
Psalm 73:1-28; 1 Kings 19:1-9, 21:1-29; James 5:7-12
Pray
Thank You, Lord, for the guidance I receive from You. Always lead me not into temptation and protect me from the evil one. Bless me, Lord, with Your powerful words. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.
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