Proverbs 2:12-15, Wicked Men!
January 19, Proverbs 2:12-15
Matt. 6:23, John 3:18-20 “Hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13).
Wicked Men!
Consider this description of the Wicked. Proverbs keeps this before us. We are not dealing with allegory here. These images are too specific for that. Such evils are not imaginary. They are clearly the temptations that befall so many, young and old. They are evils to be avoided at all costs. Ponder well these evil men as presented in these verses.
- Their Conversation is corrupt (v.12). Physicians look at the tongue to detect diseases of the body. Philosophers look at the mind. The Divine Physician looks at the heart, for as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. This verse follows quite naturally from the previous one. It begins with the verb to deliver or save. Froward things are perverse, proud things. The root meaning is to overthrow. It is often connected with speech that is intended to overthrow what is right and good. Sadly, we know that the tongue is used to speak all manner of blasphemies and errors. It is from this perversity of the tongue and life that Wisdom would deliver us. The wicked break all moral restraints. This is certainly the way of Satan and his servants, but it is the opposite of the way of Wisdom.
- Their Connection is corrupt (v.13). Who leave the paths of uprightness. Man, in v.12 is singular, but now note the change to plural, [Those] Who. This implies a group of other equally wicked companions who join this man. They are lovers of darkness, rather than light. Darkness is a symbol of anarchy, folly, and cursing. Their paths are paths of deceit, and their feet soon follow their tongue. “Indulged lusts put out the eyesight of conscience.” O youth, take care early in life to develop good habits and godly connections.
- Their Condition is corrupt (v.14). Who rejoice to do evil. There are those who steal and kill for the fun of it (1:11)! Having drunk “poison” they “poison” all around them. They not only speak wrong, and do wrong, but rejoice, even delight, in their evil (10:23). Their way is down, down, down! At first sin makes us ashamed. We try to excuse or justify it, but sin hardens. Soon we cease to make excuses, and at least we glory in our shame (Jer. 6:15). They can gloat over their sin. Worse still, they cannot indulge in evil without drawing others into their evil acts. Sin loves company.
- Their Contemplation is corrupt (v.15). Whose ways are crooked. Their plans and purposes are weighted with evil intent. They are froward in theirpaths. Everything they propose, they pervert. The Path here is only a track, a rut, which someone defined as “a grave with both ends knocked out.” At a road construction site a worker posted the following humourous sign. “Choose your rut carefully – you’ll be in it for the next 20 miles!” Those who follow this wicked man will be in a rut for life and the next one too.
Thought: O youth, consider the cost of entanglement with wicked men.
Prayer: Lord, deliver me from such evil men.