Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways
Proverbs 3:31-32 — Don’t envy or be impressed by those who are evil.
“Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.”
Proverbs 3:31-32 NIV
Although I’m writing this on Election Day 2024 and the outcome of the various races is uncertain, I thought God’s selection of a verse for today was very timely. Already — and the polls are nowhere near closing — I’m seeing violent and hateful rhetoric from both sides of the political fence on social media. Christians should not take part in that, even when things do not go “their way”.
The whole point of this section of Proverbs is that a truly wise person not only does his or her best to honor God, but also honors His most important creation — mankind. We should never envy or hate those who do evil, although they may be more powerful or successful than we are.
Solomon (the son of King David and the presumed author of Proverbs) appears to be reflecting on what his father said in Psalm 37:1-2 — “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.”
Today’s verses give us a comparison of the mindset of those who are evil and those who are righteous. I’ve been enjoying the commentary of Matthew Henry lately, and his words regarding these verses are quite instructive:
Now, to show what little reason saints have to envy sinners, Solomon here, in the last four verses of the chapter, compares the condition of sinners and saints together (as his father David had done, Ps. 37), sets the one over against the other, that we may see how happy the saints are, though they be oppressed, and how miserable the wicked are, though they be oppressors. Men are to be judged of as they stand with God, and as he judges of them, not as they stand in the world's books. Those are in the right who are of God's mind; and, if we be of his mind, we shall see, whatever pretence one sinner may have to envy another, that saints are so happy themselves that they have no reason at all to envy any sinner, though his condition be ever so prosperous. For,
1. Sinners are hated of God, but saints are beloved, v. 32. The froward sinners, who are continually going from-ward him, whose lives are a perverse contradiction to his will, are abomination to the Lord. He that hates nothing that he has made yet abhors those who have thus marred themselves; they are not only abominable in his sight, but an abomination. The righteous therefore have no reason to envy them, for they have his secret with them; they are his favourites; he has that communion with them which is a secret to the world and in which they have a joy that a stranger does not intermeddle with; he communicates to them the secret tokens of his love; his covenant is with them; they know his mind, and the meanings and intentions of his providence, better than others can. Shall I hide from Abraham the thing that I do?
Let’s dive into Reverend Henry’s words here a bit:
“Men are to be judged of as they stand with God, and as he judges of them, not as they stand in the world’s books.” In other words, we should be much more concerned about our standing with God rather than our standing in the world. One of the reasons I think I’ve been more calm this election season than during previous campaigns was my realization that in the eternal view of human history, the results of this election make little difference. Others may curse and condemn you and me for the way we vote, but wouldn’t you rather make God happy than do what all the “popular kids” are doing?
“Those are in the right who are of God's mind; and, if we be of his mind, we shall see, whatever pretence one sinner may have to envy another, that saints are so happy themselves that they have no reason at all to envy any sinner, though his condition be ever so prosperous.” The good reverend points out here that the righteous are “of God’s mind.” Knowing — and living — what God wants us to do as His people makes us happier regardless of our lot, and we have no reason to envy those who sin.
“He that hates nothing that he has made yet abhors those who have thus marred themselves; they are not only abominable in his sight, but an abomination.” In life, as in politics, sin seems to help some people get ahead. We shouldn’t be jealous of anyone who prospers by taking advantage of others — they’ll be judged by God in due time. Nor should we emulate their methods of getting ahead, for they are false and sinful.
Those in power who oppress others by afflicting, dominating, or tormenting them are not in God’s good graces — they are an abomination to God. He will bestow blessings on those who are gentle and kind.
Photograph from the Digital Collections of the National WWII Museum. Two United States Army soldiers tearing down a Nazi flag from the flagpole in front of Hitler's bombed out Bavarian retreat. Official caption on front: "Tearing down Nazi flag at Hitler's Bavarian retreat. US Army Photo 169-19." Bavaria, Germany. 1945
Barb and I have been studying World War II in detail for the past several years, and one thing that it has taught us is that oppressive and arrogant leaders (Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini as prime examples) may succeed for a while, but God and man will eventually take back what they stole. Fools — and sometimes whole nations — are impressed by the tactics and success of tyrants like these and often deceived into following them to survive and prosper. But God, through His Word here in Proverbs 3 and throughout the Bible, must be our inspiration. Don’t envy or be impressed by those who are evil.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, as the results of this year’s elections in the United States become known, I pray that You protect and preserve those who love and honor You. I also pray that the aftermath of the elections is peaceful no matter who wins or what ballot measures pass or fail. Help those who would choose to follow the path of violence annd evil to turn away from their anger and hate, and to instead receive the blessings of love and contentment through a life in Jesus Christ. AMEN.