The Contrast of Righteousness And Wickedness
October 25, 2021
Commentary
This passage contrasts righteousness with wickedness (vv. 25-32). A storm of life may come suddenly and bring disaster to the wicked by destroying lives and property but the righteous are secure (v. 25). Just as vinegar is sour tasting and smoke irritates the eyes so does a sluggard aggravate his employer because he fails to carry out his responsibilities (v. 26). Those who respect the Lord will live longer but those who keep doing wrong will often have their lives cut short (v. 27). By following the Lord’s standards the righteous have a refuge of safety. They are secure in the land.
If you obey the Lord, you will be happy, but there is no future for the wicked (v. 28). Strength is found in the way of the righteous but destruction and woe shall be to those who follow the paths of sin (v. 29). Some of the added blessings that come to the righteous are long life, joy, and security. The righteous shall never be removed but the wicked will lose their land (v. 30). Honest people bring forth skillful and godly wisdom but the deceitful will be silenced (v. 31). The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable but no one will trust you if you tell lies (v. 32). Throughout the Scriptures we can find a host of testimonies to confirm these solemn truths concerning these two opposite paths of life. Some of these are Cain; Abel; Isaac and Ishmael; Jacob and Esau; Joseph and his brothers; Jezebel and Elijah as well as many others.
Application
Have you ever met a family who are really sold out and living for the Lord. What a joy it is to be around folks like this. It is certainly my desire to have a family like this.
Proverbs 10:25– 32 (NET)
25 When the storm passes through, the wicked are swept away, but the righteous are an everlasting foundation.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 Fearing the Lord prolongs life, but the life span of the wicked will be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectation of the wicked perishes.
29 The way of the Lord is like a stronghold for the upright, but it is destruction to evildoers.
30 The righteous will never be moved, but the wicked will not inhabit the land.
31 The speech of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom, but the one who speaks perversion will be destroyed.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing, but the speech of the wicked is perverse.
Illustration: Leonardo da Vinci Paints The Last Supper
When Leonardo da Vinci was forty-three years old, the Duke Ludovinco of Milan asked him to paint the dramatic scene of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples: Working slowly and giving meticulous care to details, he spent three years on the assignment. He grouped the disciples into threes, two groups on either side of the central figure of Christ. Christ’s arms are outstretched. In his right hand, He holds a cup, painted beautifully with marvelous realism. When the masterpiece was finished, the artist said to a friend, “Observe it and give me your opinion of it!” “It’s wonderful!” exclaimed the friend. “The cup is so real I cannot divert my eyes from it!” Immediately Leonardo took a brush and drew it across the sparkling cup! He exclaimed as he did so: “Nothing shall detract from the figure of Christ!” (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #1344).