Day 184, Year 1
The Wayward … Will Destroy Themselves
“For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.” (Proverbs 1:32 NASB)
“A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, Is like the beasts that perish.” (Psalm 49:20 NKJV)
We have previously discussed that those who disobey God’s commandments and refuse to believe in Jesus will have a really dreadful destiny. However, their bad consequences often do not occur immediately, leading some to underestimate the gravity of their opt for rebellion against God. Today’s verses can dispel any doubts and shed light on the problems of being a fool and the related consequences of forsaking God.
Today’s first verse mentions that “the waywardness of the naive will kill them,” clearly indicating the outcome for those who once believed but then turned away from God. It is worth noting that this “kill” does not occur right after the apostasy. Out of His compassion, God’s judgment often takes place some time after the choice of waywardness, giving some of the apostates an opportunity to repent. Meanwhile, they serve as a test for true believers. Will the temporary prosperity of the apostates successfully lure us to stray from the way of the Lord?
Some believers may envy the health and prosperity enjoyed by some unbelievers. Thus, the verse unequivocally states that “the complacency of fools will destroy them.” The word “complacency” in Hebrew, shalvah, also refers to “quietness, peace, prosperity, or abundance.” Unbelieving fools may experience peace, prosperity, and abundance for a while, but these “blessings” either directly or indirectly lead to destruction. Wealth and prosperity could deceive people into thinking that their decisions were mostly correct. This illusion makes them believe they are wise, leading them away from God and onto a path of destruction with no return.
Today’s second verse further emphasizes that those in honor who are not to “understand,” or “discern” in Hebrew, are like beasts that perish. It points out that those who live in honor, without worries about food and clothing, even envied by others, are like perished beasts if they do not consider their future, seek understanding, discernment, and wisdom, etc., from God, but remain content with the status quo. The glory and wealth enjoyed by unbelievers are merely vanity, fleeting in nature. Believers must look to the future, to the fate of apostates, and abhor the illusion of wealth and vainglory of unbelievers. Do not be deceived by the temporary and unrighteous honor or prosperity, but rather, obey God’s Word to receive His boundless abundance.
Reflection questions:
1) Have you ever witnessed the outcome of the apostates? If so, what lessons have you learned from them?
2) Are honorable but without understanding, unbelievers truly like dead beasts? Why?