Do Not Envy the Wicked

It's amazing how many times the Bible warns against being envious of evil people. It's found in Psalm 73, Psalm 37, Job 24 and many other places. Proverbs 25 opens with that very line.

Proverbs 24:1–2 (ESV) Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, 2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.

Seems the Lord knew this would be a problem for us for the oft-repeated warning should be noted. There will be a way in this world that seems advantageous which also jettisons the values and priorities of God's word. Don't fall for it. It's temporary. And eventually, the evil men come to an end. 

Psalm 37:1, 10 (ESV) Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
Psalm 73:3, 18 (ESV) For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.

The temptation for us is to feel that this life is real life. But it is not. And the judgment to come will expose everything. It will even expose how empty that seeming prosperity really was. The devil has been dressing up disaster since the Garden and God's people who know God's Word must know better. 

Proverbs 24 turns our attention to what is good and noble for our flourishing: wisdom!
Proverbs 24:3–6 (ESV) By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5 A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, 6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

It may be the time it takes to build that house or fill it. It may be the battles that require strength to fight or it may be the wars of our times that cause to envy the success of those who forsake God. But scripture reveals that rain and sun fall on both the righteous and unrighteous. Trouble comes for the Lord's people and those not the Lord's. Our lives prosper through wisdom to expect it and face it. 

Proverbs 24:10 (ESV) If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

What strength are we to have in adversity but wisdom!
Proverbs 24:13–14 (ESV) My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

And yes, there will be stumblings and tumblings. We will have set backs but we will have God for us and with us to keep us from falling out completely. 
Proverbs 24:16 (ESV) for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

In the end, wisdom teaches us to look long-term at life. Do not fall for the temptation to have the "good life" now. It will not last. And every funeral is a subtle reminder of that until we meet our own. 

Proverbs 24:19–20 (ESV) Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, 20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

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