A Life in Exile

After looking at the speech of the righteous in previous verses of Proverbs 10, today we are enjoying the blessings of living according to God’s righteous standards. As we know from our study, these proverbs are not absolutes in the sense that only good happens to the righteous and only evil comes to the wicked, but we do know the previews of the ultimate rewards or consequences of both are found in this life. Because of this future security, the righteous can stand confident in the blessings of God, even when they too face trials from a broken and sinful world.

Though we could talk through each of the contrasts between the righteous and the wicked found in this passage, we’re going to focus on what brings us hope and encouragement because of our faith in Christ.

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding. What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever. Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse. (Proverbs 10:23-32 ESV)

The wisdom that brings pleasure

The wisdom we gain from God’s Word comes from continued study and increased understanding, as the Holy Spirit makes it clear to our minds and hearts. The more we know of God’s Word and put it into practice in our lives, the more we grow and take pleasure in all God teaches us. The ultimate expression of such a life is transformation into the likeness of our Good Shepherd and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In light of this, let’s look at the various blessings revealed in this passage. Verse 24 tells us that “the desire of the righteous will be granted.” Think about it. The closer we are to God in Christ, the more we know His Word; then it’s evident that our desires more closely align with His, and what good father would not grant his child such things?

I’m thankful for the reminder that we find in verse 25, that “when the tempest passes…the righteous is established forever.” We can look at this as the tempest of this life in general, for I think we’d all agree that life is not easy. But we can also think of it as any trial or storm in life. Though it may be difficult for a season, the person who lives for God can stand firm. Think about the man who built his house on the Rock.

There is another thing that is established for the righteous—life forever. We have this in Christ Jesus, who died that we might live. This blessing cannot be taken for granted. The wicked certainly don’t enjoy this hope, but as verse 28 says, “the hope of the righteous brings joy.” Yes, we have joy in our hope in Jesus for eternal life.

Because of that hope, we live within the security of Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. This is why we can agree that “the way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless” (v. 29). Knowing our destination is sure, we live protected from all harm. Even if we do die, we live.

Along with this stronghold, we have the confidence that nothing can snatch us from God’s hand. “The righteous will never be removed” (v. 30). The renewed heaven and earth are our home forever.

The wisdom that brings proclamation

Because of all these blessings we possess in Christ Jesus, we can stand with boldness and proclaim all we’ve learned of God’s wisdom, and we will know what is right to speak and when to share it.

“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom” and “the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable” (vs.31-32).

I pray that we will not only bask in the blessings of the righteousness we have in Christ, but that we will share these blessings with others to His glory and honor.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Friday Focus post, click HERE, or start this Walking in Wisdom series from the beginning.