Proverbs 3:31-35

 

Prov 3:31 (KJB)

Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

 

Envy - Jealous

Oppressor - Violent

 

Here we are given a warning that we must never envy those who do violence to others. During the Depression in the United States, men like John Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd were looked upon as heroes because of what the banking monopoly had done to this country. However, they along with the other outlaws were thieves and murderers. Most people did not approve of the things they did but were envious of the big amounts of money which was stolen. It was Gambino Crime Boss John Gotti who stated “The people love what we do.” The Mafia has been glorified as a fine upstanding secret society through such movies like the Godfather or Goodfellas. The reality is that those who belong to these organizations come up through the ranks because they have a penchant for murder. Sammy “the Bull” Gravano committed 19 murders for the Gambino crime family. Many young people want to join the mob because there seems to be much fun and respect to be gained but in reality, anyone at anytime can be a victim. We must never be jealous of those who are violent or who perpetrate evil on others for personal gain. One final warning from history about envying evil people. An optometrist named Reinhardt Schwimmer loved the company of gangsters. He was friends with the north side mob in Chicago in 1929, who were the sworn enemies of Al Capone. On February 14, 1929, Schwimmer went to the garage on North Clark St. which was the headquarters for the North Siders. At 10:30 AM, Capone’s men came into the garage dressed like police officers and it was known as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. The optometrist should have been fitting glasses instead of envying the gangsters and he would not have died that day. This is why we must never envy the violent because if we do, we can become involved and it could mean our own demise.

 

Prov 3:32 (KJB)

For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

 

Froward - One who deviates

Abomination - Something detestable

Secret - Private counsel or intimate circle of confidants

 

Here we have a plain statement that those who deviate from God’s law and become the evil ones which we saw in the previous verse, they are detestable to the Lord. These are the unbelievers who will give an account on Judgment Day for their evil actions. Those who are the saved will have the benefit of the most intimate counsel of the Lord and this will help keep them on the straight and narrow so they will not envy the wicked. The reason the believer does not envy the wicked is because God reveals to them the end of their life and what they will be facing. (Psa 73:17 KJV) Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. God declares to His children that they should not be focused on the things of this world and that we are never to envy the wicked. (Psa 73:3 KJV) For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Asaph saw the prosperity of the wicked and was baffled but once he understood their end, he no longer desired to be like them. When we study the Scriptures and look around today at the greed and evil which is perpetuated by that greed, we can happily say that we have been adequately warned about those who are trying to gather as much goods as they can for themselves, either legally or illegally. The froward will stand for judgment on the last day and will not bring with them one cent of their gain. On the other hand, the believers will have the riches of Heaven at their disposal, and that will be for eternity.

 

Prov 3:33 (KJB)

The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

 

Those who are unsaved are still subject to the law of God. (Gal 3:13 KJV) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: The curse of the law is that no one can fulfill its requirements for salvation and therefore those under the law will be judged by it on the last day and be sentenced to eternity in Hell. We also see that if there is a cure upon the house of the wicked, it means that whatever they do will be cursed. Some families have bred nothing but criminals and evildoers but in contrast to that, are the houses of the just, that is, those that are saved have the blessing of the Lord upon it. While the house of the just may not have all the riches and wealth of the evil house, it means that riches are not a barometer for the blessing of God. God’s blessings are where His Son is and His Son is in the house of the those whom He has redeemed. This is why you go into some homes where there is rank unbelief and find nothing but confusion and hostility. That is because of the curse which abides in that home. The house of the Just, will be a household of faith in God and He will bring any confusion to nought.

 

Prov 3:34 (KJB)

Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

 

Scorneth - Boasts

Scorners - One who boasts

Lowly - Humble

 

As those who continue to boast in their sins and those who continue to make plans, whether legal or illegal, God is going to mock at their calamity when it finally comes upon them. (Prov 1:26 KJV) I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; Those who think that they can live their lives void of God will someday learn the reality that there is no such thing as independent living. Those who live in arrogance, thumbing their noses at God and His people will come to know the reality of their ways. On the other hand, there are those whom God has saved and they have received His grace in salvation. These are the ones who know the ways of God and remain humbled under His hand knowing that God works everything out for His glory and for the benefit of Hid children. Those who are humble do not arrogantly go around boasting of their achievements and their wealth and how they did it in their own wisdom and power. Those whom God has saved know the truth about who has allowed these wicked to prosper and prosper for only a short time.

 

Prov 3:35 (KJB)

The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

 

Shame - Dishonor

Promotion - Exalt or lift up

 

The end of the matter is that the wise, those whom are saved, will inherit the glory of Heaven but those who are fools, their exaltation shall be dishonor or shame. It will eventually come to pass because the glory of the wicked is but for a fleeting moment. The world may exalt those who are building personal kingdoms on earth but the Bible calls them fools. (Luke 12:20 KJV) But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? The foolish part comes in when they think their little kingdom will not be ripped from them, either by death or by another. No one really owns anything in this world.

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