What the wicked dread will overtake them;
what the righteous desire will be granted.
Summary: Wickedness is different in God’s eyes from what we humans might call wicked. The greatest sin is ignoring the First Commandment.
The definition of words changes depending on who is using them. God, for example, has a different definition of the word “wicked” than we do. The first commandment is to love God above all else. From God’s perspective, people who ignore this rule are wicked.
When I read today’s passage, my mind brings up memories of a man I knew some years ago. He wasn’t a wicked man in the sense that we read about bad people in the dime novels or see in the movies. He didn’t hurt anyone that I know of, nor was he perceived as threatening normally, yet he still comes to mind.
I don’t want to give away his name, so let’s call him Mr. X. He was a timid man who dabbled in second-hand junk. He never hurt anyone that I knew of, but his primary concern in life was not God or other people, it was his second-hand treasures.
He was a fearful man. He feared that people would take his stuff. He had a rented storage unit where he kept some of his treasures, but the special treasures were kept in his apartment. He had so many boxes of things that there was almost no place left for people. From the front door of his apartment, there was a trail through the boxes to the couch and the bathroom. Everything else was boxes of stuff.
He was very suspicious of everyone. I had heard stories about him that were as funny as they were sad. A young man who was working trimming brush behind the apartment Mr. X lived in turned around to see Mr. X staring at him. He didn’t recognize the young man, so he just stared while he stood there at the back door… holding an ax.
Eventually, Mr. X moved on. The story I heard was that he moved back home to look after his elderly parents. But the demons in his head would not leave him alone. His mother found him in the garage one day, dead from a gunshot wound to the head. It was self-inflicted.
What the wicked dread will overtake them.
It is a simple observation, but one that had to come from God. Only he would know to make such a claim. It is not a threat like a man would make. It is simply an observation.
The righteous, on the other hand, will be granted what they desire. And what do the righteous desire? To be right with God and to be with God. The righteous understand that the “things” of this world, be they junk or treasure, are only temporary.
Application: Do a fear check. Are you worried about the things of this world? If so, is this the way you want to live?
Food for Thought: How are desire and dread similar? How do they change when we know God?
I think desire and dread are similar in that they both take up time in our head. They are things we think about and give energy toward. When we know God we start taking every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10: 5). This leads to what we think upon becoming more and more of what God thinks about. It also gives us His peace. Philippians 4:6 – 9.
Thanks, Rich!
Well said. It sort of puts the idea of “taking every thought captive” in a new light.
So true!
Thanks Jim!
05-04-2022, Proverbs 10:24, How are desire and dread similar? How do they change when we know God?
Matthew 9:4, “And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why are you thinking evil things IN YOUR HEARTS.?”
Hebrews 10:22, “Let us come forward to the Holy of Holies WITH A TRUE HEART IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Thinking is an activity of the mind, but the Lord Jesus asked the scribes why they were thinking in their hearts. This shows that our mind is part of our heart and having Christ in our hearts removes all dread as we approach God in confidence.
Ron,
Looks like you’ve been thinking with both your mind and your heart. 🙂
You bring to mind 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (KJV)
How are desire and dread similar?
I agree with he comments that have been to this first question. Both desire and dread can overtake the mind and heart. I find in myself that both are products of thinking too much of the past or the future.
How do they change when we know God?
Desire for righteousness, however, is very much a present activity. There is no measuring stick, no plateau, no “achievement” to be gained, or fear it be lost, if you listen to the Holy Spirit, and let God guide your life through His Word.
John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
Thank you, Chris.
Excellent description of God’s Holy Spirit filling up the present moment.
I guess I’m less certain of what the wicked dread.
Judgement? Or do they even care about there being a judge?
Death? That certainly will overtake them!
Being unloved? Certainly the wicked don’t realize that they are loved, the most sorrowful love there is. The love that keeps loving despite being rejected.
Being caught? Do they fear that people will realize how much they have to fake and lie about? Slightly different than judgement, but certainly a similar feeling.
Or the dread pirate Roberts??? (I had to)
What do the righteous desire?
I suppose that will bring me back to “hunger and thirst for righteousness” or “My food is to do the Father’s will”.
Oh dear… 🙂
Yes, sailors the world over dread The Dread Pirate Roberts! And with good reason, it’s in the name!
And yes, you landed on the right spot. To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to do the Father’s will.
Love the dread pirate Robert’s reference.
Is that why I had to make a sailor reference during mens group?
I have a ‘sinking’ feeling that the answer is yes. 🙂