PROVERBS 10 WHAT RIGHTEOUSNESS & WICKEDNESS BRING

October 9


PROVERBS 10

25 When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
    but the righteous is established forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
    so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,  but destruction to evildoers.
30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,

    but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
    but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

                                                                    – Proverbs 10:25-32


PROVERBS 10 WHAT RIGHTEOUSNESS & WICKEDNESS BRING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

To the righteous, blessings and wisdom are bountiful

But to the wicked, destruction and chaos abound

When the righteous speaks, it brings much sense

The wicked people’s lips speak only what is perverse

Those who live in the ways of the Lord have so much joy

The evildoers on the other hand thrive in dissatisfaction.


In these following verses, Solomon continues to show us the benefits of doing what is right and expose the ill effects of doing evil. I particularly want to focus on verse 28 when he says “the expectation of the wicked will perish.” Expectations can lead us to hopelessness, frustrations, dissatisfaction and discouragement. When our expectations do not happen, we can get stuck on having that expectation fulfilled. Because our nature is so sinful, it is a good reminder that our expectations can be very selfish and self-serving. We need to have expectancy instead. We need to focus on expecting God’s promises to be fulfilled because it will never let us down.


REFLECTION

  • Why is it important to recognize the consequences of doing evil and doing good?