The house you live in don’t matter so much; it’s your feelin’s that count.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Day the Cowboys Quit)
“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”
–James 4:6 (NASB)
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This morning we finish with Proverbs 3. One thing about the Proverbs: they come right at you and it is up to us to heed its instruction.
(NKJV)
.31 — Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways;
.32 — For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD, but His secret counsel is with the upright.
(ESV)
.31 — Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,
.32 — for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.
There is no benefit in feeling any sort of envy for the wicked as God detests wickedness. “Only a fool would wish to be detestable to God!” (NKJV Study Bible) To envy someone is the first step to becoming like him. That is dangerous for you may end up choosing his ways. To be a friend of evil, of the world, is to become God’s enemy. Know this that sin breaks our intimacy and fellowship with God, therefore we should not envy those in the world. God especially takes notice of those who know to do right. Ezekiel speaks to the priests, those responsible for knowing the law and doing of the right, “Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. This is an indictment, not only against those in the pulpits, but also the priest of the home. There are certain people who are actually an abomination to the Lord–that is an intense loathing. One of those is a person who would use their power to injure others. Look at what happened to Pharaoh when he became hard towards the Lord–a lesson to remember. On the other hand those who choose the right way God will become a close friend and will even confide in them.
(NKJV)
.33 — The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just.
.34 — Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.
.35 — The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools.
(ESV)
.33 — The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
.34 — Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.
.35 — The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
God will literally “sweep away as the dust” those who live a wicked, lawless life. The term “wicked” literally means, “lawless,” thus Paul writes about the man of lawlessness in Thessalonians–the antichrist. Michael Jermin writes, “The debauched people of the world dwell in the dirty houses of their wicked lives, and cannot be gotten out of them.” In the house of the wicked there is no true joy, no true cheer. Swinnock says this regarding the house of the wicked, “How can thy sweetest dish be savoury, when the curse of God is thy sauce?” A curse of God, imagine that! The house of the wicked can expect no more; they shall be promoted and lifted up, just like Haman–lifted up on their own gallows. Someone said that stupid people only add to their own disgrace.
However, the faithful family is an inspiration. The blessings of the Lord are felt in this home. As J.L. Flores writes, “The righteous are submissive to the Divine will–they are the ‘lowly who are willing to learn of Him.'” Have you ever been to the home of the wicked and then visited the home of the righteous? Oh my! What a difference. The person, the family who follows after righteousness is certainly blessed and favored of God.
In our walk, and as we look at the above verses there is no middle ground, no gray area. There are no intermediate steps between wickedness and righteousness. There is one or the other, no inbetween. There is either eternal honor and glory or shame and death. To the wise comes honor and as Dan Dick tells us, “The truly faithful person doesn’t have to go seeking acclaim. It will come to them simply because of the commitment they exhibit.” See, as the fool mocks the things of God, he is in turn mocked by God.