Topical Bible: The Afflictions of the Wicked: Sometimes Humble Them

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The concept of afflictions serving as a means to humble the wicked is a recurring theme in the Bible. Throughout Scripture, God uses various forms of adversity to bring about humility and repentance in those who have strayed from His ways. This divine intervention serves both as a corrective measure and as an opportunity for the wicked to turn back to righteousness.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling Experience: One of the most illustrative examples of afflictions humbling the wicked is found in the account of King Nebuchadnezzar. In the Book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful and prideful king, is warned through a dream interpreted by Daniel that he will be driven away from men and live like an animal until he acknowledges God's sovereignty. Daniel 4:37 records Nebuchadnezzar's eventual realization: "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride."

2. The Plagues of Egypt: The plagues that God sent upon Egypt serve as another example of afflictions intended to humble the wicked. Pharaoh's hardened heart and refusal to release the Israelites led to a series of devastating plagues. These afflictions were designed to demonstrate God's power and to humble Pharaoh, compelling him to acknowledge the God of Israel. Exodus 10:3 states, "So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.'"

3. The Suffering of Job's Friends: In the Book of Job, Job's friends, who initially accuse him of wrongdoing, are themselves rebuked by God. Their afflictions come in the form of divine correction, leading them to a place of humility and repentance. Job 42:7-9 describes how God instructs them to offer sacrifices and seek Job's prayers for their forgiveness, highlighting the humbling effect of their misguided judgments.

4. The Prodigal Son: Although not explicitly labeled as "wicked," the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 illustrates how personal afflictions can lead to humility and repentance. The younger son squanders his inheritance and faces severe hardship, which ultimately brings him to a place of humility and a desire to return to his father. Luke 15:17-18 captures this moment of realization: "Finally he came to his senses and said, 'How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death! I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’"

Theological Implications

The afflictions of the wicked, as depicted in these biblical narratives, serve a dual purpose. They act as a form of divine justice, addressing the wrongdoing and pride of individuals, while simultaneously offering a path to redemption through humility. This process underscores the biblical principle that God desires repentance and transformation rather than mere punishment. As Proverbs 3:34 states, "He mocks the mockers but gives grace to the humble."

Practical Application

For believers, these accounts serve as a reminder of the importance of humility and the dangers of pride. They encourage self-examination and a willingness to submit to God's will, recognizing that afflictions can be a tool for spiritual growth and alignment with divine purposes. The afflictions of the wicked, when met with a contrite heart, can lead to a restored relationship with God and a renewed sense of purpose.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 21:27
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth on his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Providence of God
... Shimei cursed David, it was wicked and sinful, for it ... The providences of God are
sometimes dark, and our ... shall starve their sins, and afflictions shall prepare ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/14 the providence of god.htm

Death Swallowed up in victory
... If the prosperity of the wicked sometimes continues for a ... now confess, that their
longest afflictions were momentary ... this day of grace, you humble yourselves to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xliii death swallowed up.htm

The Character and Supports of Widows Indeed.
... God sometimes brings his people into straits, and ... Afflictions arrest the
attention"lead to consideration, and ... It is more commonly the state of the wicked. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiv the character and.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... God's children may sometimes be under sore afflictions, in domo ... While the wicked
are kept in sugar, the godly are often ... 1 Peter 1:6. The body sometimes needs a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews.
... beggars, called impostors, [3264]422; sometimes communicate yearly or ... age, exceeding
disgrace of a wicked, [3290]401 ... gave thanks in all his afflictions, [3391]ib ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the epistle to.htm

2 Timothy iii. 4-Jan
... Paul, yet he passed all his life in afflictions, in tears ... may be punished, or if
they are sometimes visited, it ... quit of them here; and of the wicked, some have ...
/.../homily viii 2 timothy iii.htm

The Covenant of Grace
... God does sometimes accept of willingness without the work, but ... Wicked men have mercies
by Providence, not by virtue of a ... Afflictions add to the saints, glory. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the covenant of grace.htm

How to Become Fishers of Men
... you march with the armies of the wicked one, you ... they were with him in his afflictions
and persecutions. ... He is sometimes sternly jealous towards his people who ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/how to become fishers of.htm

The Great Change
... Sometimes, he passes by the rich and great, and gives heed ... of it is true: "Many are
the afflictions of the ... Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/the great change.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... As we sometimes hold a crooked rod over the fire to straighten it; so God holds
us over ... (9). Afflictions work for good, as they put to silence the wicked. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm