Tuesday: Waiting for the Lord
Read Proverbs 20:17, 21:5. What practical lesson can we find in these texts?
The thief who steals bread gets it faster than the one who has to work for it. Salespeople who lie to sell their bad merchandise may become rich faster than the honest merchant (compare Proverbs 21:5 to Proverbs 21:6). Yet, says the proverb, the future will turn the sweetness into gravel,
and the hastily acquired wealth will become poverty. The text gives a number of examples to illustrate the accuracy of this observation:
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
1. The Inheritance (Prov. 20:21). The mention of an inheritance obtained too quickly (implying that the parents are still alive) follows the condemnation of the one who curses his parents (Prov. 20:20). The association of these two proverbs is significant. It is as if the son (or the daughter) curses the parents and also wishes them dead. The child may even have plotted the death of the parents in order to get the inheritance. The prospect of this behavior is tragic: the lamp he is presently enjoying will become deep darkness
(Proverbs 20:20, NKJV) and his curse against his parents will turn on him, for he will not be blessed at the end
(Proverbs 20:21, NKJV).
2. Revenge (Prov. 20:22). This time the proverb addresses the victim who may be tempted to seek revenge for the evil that has been committed against him. The counsel is just to wait for the LORD
(NKJV). Only then will you be saved, which implies that if you do seek revenge you are taking a serious risk. Proverbs 25:21-22 emphasizes the same instruction, using the metaphor of heaping coals of fire on the enemy’s head, an Egyptian ritual expressing repentance and conversion. If you refrain from revenge, promises Proverbs 20:22, you will be saved by the Lord and, in the process (adds Proverbs 25:21-22) you will save your enemy, thus overcoming evil with good (Rom. 12:21).
How can you learn to emulate the character of Christ more closely when it comes to overcoming evil with good? Why is this so contrary to our inherent nature? Why is death to self the only way to achieve this end?
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Does Proverbs 20:22, which states, “Do not say, "I will repay evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you,” not allow for righteous indignation?
It is observable that most people get far less outraged about the unjust treatment of others who they do not know and are not like them than when they are personally hurt or feel threatened by the wrong done to one of their own. It is an indication that self is often the primary consideration in human anger. It is precisely to get away from this self-first mentality that we have the counsel in Proverbs 20:22.
The Lord volunteers to handle offenses against us so we do not have to defend ourselves and become more selfish (1 Peter 3:9). Jesus did not defend himself, except as an indirect means to defend His Father’s cause (1 Peter 2:23). Interestingly Peter who was previously quick to fight ended up bearing this testimony (John 18:10, 11). Thinking it is our duty we may continually fight battles which the Lord longs to take over if we only trust Him.
Something to note is the promise is not to hurt our enemies, but to save us; for if both parties may be saved that is the Lord’s wish. Left to ourselves, and motivated by revenge we might make sure the guilty suffer more than is due.
On the other hand righteous indignation has to do with zeal for God and His Law and is most apparent when one has no personal risk interest in the matter. That is, it is not the individual or his people who have been injured but something to do with God or a stranger in some way.
We do well to look out for the other side and let someone else look out for us. And God already has His hands up. Just wait for the Lord. He will save.
Powerful indeed Hugh! Thanks God that if vengeance is indeed His. He knows how best to repay for what we will have lost on account of harm that has been inflicted on us by others and conversely on the harm we have rendered to others. On the latter, I believe God's grace is sufficient to enable us to do all in our power to make up for any wrongs we have done to others - though we may never entirely make up for it. Consider how Paul's ministry was a concerted change in the right direction from the wrong direction he had taken which had led him to persecute the church of God.
Why is it that we can accept God telling us not to have revenge even if it is hard for us to comply and yet we think that God gladly takes revenge out on the wicked at the end? Such thinking to me seems to be a bit inconsistent.
God's revenge and our revenge are likely to be as different as God's love and our love. God's "revenge" is going to be filled with love and mercy (Psalm 136). Knowing that our revenge will never be characterized by either love or mercy, our all-knowing God instructs, "let my vengeance prevail over yours." (Deuteronomy 32:35)
1. We must believe that God is omnipotent, that He cares for us and is able to provide for all our needs whether physical, social, emotional and spiritual; including sorting out the issue of inequalities and making provision for resources for us to help others as in Sunday and Monday lessons. He's able to heal our heartaches whatever the cause
2. So let's cast all our cares upon Him for He cares for us 1 Pet 5:7
Resisting the urge to revenge,is one of the strongest emotions,we have to battle with-especially when emotionally upset. But with the Holy spirit in control of our emotions,we are more than conquers...yet I still think we should not be too complacent when wronged,but in the utmost respect and courtesy,we should stand our ground.
Todays lesson clearly indicate why we christians of today fail to convince da world dat we belong Gods larger famly.when we realIse our it to good stewards dat live unders upper hand