The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
Summary: This passage brings us back to the spiritual mirror. It reflects both our wicked natures and our righteous hopes. The path we pursue determines the kind of person we are.
Do the wicked know what joy is? I find the question intriguing. “Joy” is a kind of happiness that bubbles over with overtones of thanksgiving and gratitude. Joy includes elements of surprise and appreciation. Joy describes a kind of happiness that exceeds the bounds of reason.
Do the wicked ever experience that kind of happiness? I don’t think so. What makes the wicked happy does not please God or others. Their happiness is defined by what the wicked person wants and because of that I think it must be limited by the wickedness inside.
What do the wicked hope for?
There are nine verses in Proverbs, chapter one, that list things that entice sinful men. It is an interesting list. In includes:
- Lying in wait for innocent blood
- Ambushing harmless souls
- Stealing valuable things
- Accumulating plunder, loot, and ill-gotten gain
The focus of the wicked is on things. If anybody stands in the way of them getting what they want, their life is forfeit. There is no compassion for their neighbor or respect for God.
And what do the righteous focus on?
Once again, we turn to Matthew 22: 37-40 for the answer:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
The righteous are focused on pleasing God. God is concerned, not for himself, but for the people he has created, our neighbors. By loving our neighbors and taking care of them, we please God. In all of this, the goal is not the acquisition of things. Instead, the righteous live to bring joy to God by their obedience and faithfulness.
Put in the simplest of terms, the wicked focus on themselves. The righteous focus on God and others. The wicked are self-centered, and the righteous are God-centered.
We like to characterize the wicked as violent people who slink around the shadowy side of life like in the movies. In fact, all of us have a wickedness problem (Romans 3: 23). If we want more joy in our lives, a good plan is less wickedness and more righteousness.
Application: Considering that wickedness is a problem that plagues all people, consciously practice putting God first every day.
Food for Thought: What do the wicked hope for that the righteous don’t already have?
I think the wicked want everything this world has to offer and hopefully the righteous want more of God. They hunger and thirst for God while the wicked want more of the world – hedonism, materialism and humanism. 1 John 2: 15 – 17; 2 Timothy 3: 1 – 5.
Brother Rich,
Thank you! The 2 Timothy passage is especially powerful:
“There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3: 1 – 5)
Wicked focus seems to be on the present. There is no future reckoning. And with that total neglect for the well being of others. Disregard for compassion and community. The wickedness is sustained by each present day uncaring action. Seems it is less “what they want” and more the freedom to continue the wicked behavior.
Feather,
Thank you for sharing your wisdom here! The “freedom to continue wicked behavior” points us to the question of “Who is in charge?” The wicked do not submit to God. They want to be in charge.
What do the wicked hope for that the righteous don’t already have?
The choice to do as they like without consequences.
A –
Thank you! Concise and a bit profound. Nice!
05-08-2022, Proverbs 10:28, What do the wicked hope for that the righteous don’t already have?
WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS HAVING A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE, WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS HAVING A HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
We are spiritual beings dwelling temporarily inside physical bodies.
Luke 1:46-47, 1Thessalonians 5:23, Isaiah 26:9
The wicked of this world seek to achieve righteousness ( freedom from guilt ) by their works, while the righteous ( have no guilt ) we have received our righteousness through Jesus Christ.
All who respond to the Holy Spirits conviction of the world by turning from their sins, to Jesus Christ will be eternal forgiven of all sins and are free to receive continued growth in Christ through the continued power and teachings of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. John 16:8-15
Our priority must be for our awakened spirits to grow and mature in Christ. We do this by withdrawing from the ungodly influences of the world surrounding ourselves with godly behavior, prayer and meditation, regular studies of God’s word and regular attendance to worship services.
Matthew 6:33, 10:28, Hebrews 6:1,1 Peter 2:2-3, 2 Peter 1:5-8
Also see: Luke 17:5, Colossians 2:6-7, Hebrews 5:12-14, Ephesians 4:15
Ron,
You make a very important point: we are spirits first and flesh second. When the flesh stops breathing, the spirit continues on.
I also like your point about how we break free of guilt. Thank you!