The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. The violence of the wicked will sweep them awayThis phrase highlights the self-destructive nature of wickedness. In biblical context, violence is often associated with chaos and disorder, which are contrary to God's order and justice. The imagery of being "swept away" suggests a sudden and overwhelming judgment, akin to the flood in Genesis 6-9, where the wickedness of humanity led to their destruction. This reflects the principle of sowing and reaping found in Galatians 6:7-8, where those who sow to please their sinful nature will reap destruction. The phrase also echoes the fate of the wicked in Psalm 1:4, where they are compared to chaff blown away by the wind, emphasizing the transient and unstable nature of a life built on violence and injustice. because they refuse to do what is just
This part of the verse underscores the moral choice and responsibility of individuals. The refusal to do what is just indicates a deliberate rejection of God's commandments and a willful ignorance of His standards of righteousness. In the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel, justice was a central tenet of the law given to Moses, as seen in Deuteronomy 16:20, which commands the pursuit of justice. The prophets, such as Isaiah and Amos, frequently called out Israel for their failure to uphold justice, linking it to the nation's downfall. This refusal is not merely passive but an active choice against God's will, aligning with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes obedience to God's law as a path to life and blessing, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:19-20. The ultimate fulfillment of justice is found in Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect justice and calls His followers to live justly, as seen in Matthew 23:23. Persons / Places / Events 1. The WickedThis term refers to individuals who act in opposition to God's laws and principles. In the context of Proverbs, the wicked are often contrasted with the righteous, highlighting their moral and ethical failures. 2. ViolenceThis is not just physical harm but encompasses any form of injustice or wrongdoing that the wicked perpetrate. It is both a tool and a consequence of their actions. 3. JusticeA central theme in Proverbs, justice represents the moral and ethical standards set by God. It is what the wicked refuse to uphold, leading to their downfall. Teaching Points The Consequences of WickednessWickedness is self-destructive. The violence and injustice perpetrated by the wicked ultimately lead to their own ruin. The Importance of JusticeUpholding justice is a divine mandate. Refusing to do what is just aligns one with the wicked and leads to negative consequences. Moral ResponsibilityBelievers are called to live justly and righteously, avoiding the path of the wicked. This involves making choices that align with God's standards. The Inevitable Downfall of the WickedThe Bible consistently teaches that wickedness will not prevail. God's justice ensures that the wicked will face the consequences of their actions. Encouragement for the RighteousWhile the wicked may seem to prosper temporarily, their end is assured. The righteous can take comfort in God's ultimate justice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of justice in Proverbs 21:7 relate to the broader biblical account of justice? 2. In what ways can we identify and avoid the path of the wicked in our daily lives? 3. How does understanding the eventual downfall of the wicked provide comfort and encouragement to believers? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are upholding justice in our communities? 5. How do other scriptures, such as Psalm 37:9-10 and Isaiah 3:11, reinforce the message of Proverbs 21:7? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 37:9-10This passage speaks about the fate of the wicked and the eventual triumph of the righteous, reinforcing the idea that wickedness leads to destruction. Proverbs 10:6This verse contrasts the blessings on the head of the righteous with the violence that covers the mouth of the wicked, emphasizing the consequences of wickedness. Isaiah 3:11This scripture warns of the woe that will come upon the wicked, as their deeds will return upon them, similar to the sweeping away mentioned in Proverbs 21:7. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Act, Acts, Catcheth, Desire, Destroy, Devastation, Drag, Drive, Evil-doers, Judgment, Justice, Justly, Pulled, Refuse, Refused, Robbery, Spoil, Sweep, Sweepeth, Violence, Violent, WickedDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 21:6 5193 tongue
5481 proverb
5591 treasure
6147 deceit, practice
8812 riches, ungodly use Library Definition of Actual Grace
1. GENERAL NOTION OF GRACE.--The best way to arrive at a correct definition of actual grace is by the synthetic method. We therefore begin with the general notion of grace. Like "nature,"(3) grace (gratia, {GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is a word of wide reach, used in a great variety of senses. Habert(4) enumerates no less than fourteen; which, however, may be reduced to four. a) Subjectively, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and HabitualEpistle xxi. To Constantina Augusta .
To Constantina Augusta [1593] . Gregory to Constantina, &c. Almighty God, who holds in His right hand the heart of your Piety, both protects us through you and prepares for you rewards of eternal remuneration for temporal deeds. For I have learnt from the letters of the deacon Sabinianus my responsalis with what justice your Serenity is interested in the cause of the blessed Prince of the apostles Peter against certain persons who are proudly humble and feignedly kind. And I trust in the bounty …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Epistle Cvi. To Syagrius, Ætherius, virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops .
To Syagrius, Ætherius, Virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops [65] . Gregory to Syagrius of Augustodunum (Autun), Etherius of Lugdunum (Lyons), Virgilius of Aretale (Arles), and Desiderius of Vienna (Vienne), bishops of Gaul. A paribus. Our Head, which is Christ, has to this end willed us to be His members, that through the bond of charity and faith He might make us one body in Himself. And to Him it befits us so to adhere in heart, that, since without Him we can be nothing, through Him we may …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others, but Keep their Own; and those who Give of their Own, yet Seize
(Admonition 22.) Differently to be admonished are those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own, and those who give of what they have, and yet desist not from seizing on what belongs to others. Those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own are to be admonished to consider carefully that the earth out of which they are taken is common to all men, and therefore brings forth nourishment for all in common. Vainly, then, do those suppose …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy. Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 21:7 NIVProverbs 21:7 NLTProverbs 21:7 ESVProverbs 21:7 NASBProverbs 21:7 KJV
Proverbs 21:7 Commentaries
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