Proverbs 21:4,7,10,12,27 The wicked among us!

I’m reading a classic this summer: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (just a little light summer reading, right???). It really is quite shocking to read how Hitler came to power. One of the glaring realities was that everyone in positions of power (whether political, financial, or military) was watching out for himself and very ready to make unbelievable moral compromises to maintain power. No doubt in my mind that there was a lot of demonic activity and inspiration in those days. No other way to explain the extent of the evil.

In her study of the book of Esther, Beth Moore talks abut how Satan has had to have antichrists ready in every age of history, because, just like the rest of us, he does not know the hour of Jesus’ coming. And throughout history, Satan has had his men ready to wipe out the Jews (just like Haman in the book of Esther). There is no way to explain that intense antisemitism except that it is Satan-inspired! He’s doing everything he can to try to thwart the plans of God!

There are people who deny that there is any such thing as evil or sin. A dear young friend once told me that she thought everyone would be in Heaven. Really? You’d expect to find Hitler, Stalin, Saddam Hussein, and Charles Manson (to just mention a very few) in Heaven???? How would that be Heaven??? The Bible makes it very clear that sin and evil are real. And this 21st chapter of Proverbs has much to say about the wicked:

Haughty eyes and a proud heart,

    the lamp of the wicked, are sin. (v.4)

The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,

    because they refuse to do what is just. (v.7)

The soul of the wicked desires evil;

    his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. (v.10)

The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
    he throws the wicked down to ruin. (v.12)

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

    how much more when he brings it with evil intent. (v.27)

It is clear that the wicked are driven by pride, they are violent, unmerciful, and filled with evil desires and evil intentions. Anything they do is designed to further their own agenda with no thought of the consequences to anyone else. Do we see that kind of evil in our day? Of course we do! That is no surprise, because evil has been prevalent since the Fall. The first murder was committed by Cain, and it’s been downhill from there!

After The Great War (now known as WWI), people could not believe that there would be another world war - and yet, within less than 20 years, Hitler had risen to power and was rolling through Europe with virtually no resistance!

How can anyone say there is no such thing as evil? It cries out for the justice of God! And the good news? It’s coming! When the LORD returns He will come to mete out justice, and we will all be praising His name and saying, “Amen!”

You will be glad to know that the next book I pick up this summer will be a 5th grade novel! :) The next topic from Proverbs? Righteousness!