He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Practical Life Principles: The Vanity Of Wickedness:
Proverbs 21:27-31
27) The sacrifice of the wicked [is]
abomination: how much more, [when] he
bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28) A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh
constantly.
29) A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
30) [There is] no wisdom nor
understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31) The horse [is] prepared
against the day of battle: but safety [is]
of the LORD.
This
text emphasizes for us that living a life of wickedness yields no lasting
value, only short-lived, fleshly, pleasure …
EXPOSITION:
27) The sacrifice of the wicked [is]
abomination: how much more, [when] he
bringeth it with a wicked mind?
1. The moral acts of the man in rebellion
against God is disgusting and abhorred by the Lord,
2. how much more when he presents the moral act
to God after making ungodly plans?
The
righteous acts of the wicked are hated by God, especially when they are a part
of the wicked man’s corrupt plans to find favor with the Lord.
“Hear the word of the LORD,
ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose [is] the
multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt
offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of
bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand,
to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations;
incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of
assemblies, I cannot away with; [it is] iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your
appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear
[them]. And when ye spread forth
your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I
will not hear: your hands are full of blood. 16) Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from
before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17) Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the
fatherless, plead for the widow. 18) Come now, and let us
reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be
as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:10-18)
28) A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh
constantly.
1.
A person who testifies untruthfully shall come to utter ruin
2.
but the man that has a teachable spirit will choose his words with confidence
of their truthfulness.
A
person who lies will be ruined by his own speech while a man who is submitted
to the Lord will carefully choose his words, making sure they are true and
sincere.
“The lip of truth shall be
established for ever: but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment.” (Proverbs 12:19)
29) A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
1. An ungodly man shows his stubbornness in his
appearance
2. The upright man watches over his walk of life.
The
man who is in rebellion against the
Lord, shows his stubbornness in both his appearance and walk of life, however,
the just man guards his appearance and walk, making sure they are following the
paths of God.
“And though they say, The
LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely. O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them,
but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to
receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have
refused to return. Therefore I said, Surely
these [are] poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, [nor]
the judgment of their God.”
(Jeremiah 5:2-4)
30) [There is] no wisdom nor
understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
There
is no:
1. wisdom – application of teachings to one’s
life
2.
understanding – discernment of the true nature of things
3.
counsel – advice and plans
That
can oppose and overcome the Ruler of All.
The
Lord, being Sovereign God over all, cannot be overcome. His wisdom, understanding, and counsel are
perfect and far superior than any other in existence.
“Associate yourselves, O ye
people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries:
gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye
shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and
it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is]
with us.” (Isaiah 8:9-10)
31) The horse [is] prepared
against the day of battle: but safety [is]
of the LORD.
1. Armour and weaponry is placed upon the horse
to prepare for battle
2. But true security and protection is only
found in the Lord.
Although
men can prepare for the battles they may face, it will do no good apart from
the decrees of the Lord. The Lord, as Sovereign is in control of the battle and
the results of that battle. It is only
based upon His decrees that any army can be victorious and protected.
“Woe to them that go down
to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are]
many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the
Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!” (Isaiah 31:1)
SUMMARY:
Every
aspect of a wicked man’s life is of no lasting value, whether it be his
actions, plans, preparations, thoughts, or desires. It is only through submission to the Lord’s
desires for us will we find lasting value and worth for our lives.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH
Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH
Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH
Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment