Topical Bible: Wicked (People): Compared With: Briers Add Thorns

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In biblical literature, the imagery of briers and thorns is frequently employed to describe the nature and consequences of wickedness. This metaphor serves to illustrate the destructive and obstructive characteristics of those who live in opposition to God's will.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 55:13 : "Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will spring up. This will be a memorial to the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed." This passage contrasts the transformation that occurs when God's redemptive power replaces wickedness (symbolized by thorns and briers) with righteousness and peace (symbolized by the cypress and myrtle).

2. Ezekiel 2:6 : "And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or be dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house." Here, the prophet Ezekiel is warned about the rebellious and hostile nature of the people he is sent to, likened to briers and thorns that can cause harm and discomfort.

3. Micah 7:4 : "The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day of your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion." This verse underscores the pervasive corruption and moral decay among the people, where even the most righteous are compared to briers and thorns, indicating a society deeply entrenched in wickedness.

Theological Implications:

The comparison of wicked people to briers and thorns highlights several key theological themes:

- Obstruction and Harm: Just as briers and thorns can impede progress and cause physical harm, wicked individuals can obstruct spiritual growth and inflict emotional and moral damage on others. Their actions create barriers to righteousness and peace.

- Judgment and Redemption: The presence of briers and thorns often signifies a need for divine intervention and judgment. However, the promise of transformation, as seen in Isaiah 55:13, offers hope for redemption and renewal through God's grace.

- Moral Decay: The metaphor serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. It calls believers to remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith, resisting the temptations and influences of wickedness.

In summary, the biblical comparison of wicked people to briers and thorns serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding the nature of sin and its impact on individuals and communities. It calls for a response of faith, repentance, and reliance on God's transformative power to overcome the destructive forces of wickedness.

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Isaiah 55:13
Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
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Ezekiel 2:6
And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with you, and you do dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
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Library

The Greater Prophets.
... See also Jer.27:2 compared with 28:10. ... that executed God's righteous vengeance on
the covenant people. ... with God's awful judgments upon the wicked within and ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Translated from Latin of Rufinus.
... But since thou wilt not let My people go, lo ... same nature indeed, as is every soil
compared with another ... am to blame for your perverse and wicked habits, because ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from latin of rufinus.htm

An Exhortation to Peace and Unity
... there the weak are wounded, and the wicked are hardened. ... The sacrifice of the people
in Isaiah 65, that said ... with one accord' (Acts 4:24, compared with verse 31 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exhortation to peace and.htm

Of the Incapacity of an Unregenerate Person for Relishing the ...
... and might purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of ... of the rebel angels, and
your guilt, compared with that ... must be a state of misery to wicked men, in ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse v of the incapacity.htm

The Water of Life;
... The waters of a full cup the wicked shall have; and a river ... that they ran but low
formerly, if compared to what ... by whose means the land of God's people is full ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the water of life.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Now therefore let all the wicked men be far from ... to which both the law and the gospel
is compared. ... Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel" (Amos ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Greatness of the Soul,
... he turn not front his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he ... 'They eat up the sin
of My people' as they ... [Of the greatness of the soul, when compared with the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the greatness of the soul.htm

Book Twelve the Mode of Creation and the Truth of Scripture. ...
... of all form, but only as it compared with more ... sea he finds the division between
the people of God and ... the night passes"that mother of the wicked; until the ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book twelve the mode of.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... the people talk strangely about him; some say that he now walks in white (Rev.3 ... given
him to dwell in, to which the best palaces on earth, if compared, seem to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm