Proverbs 10:2

October 6, 2023

“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.”

This particular verse of Scripture out of the book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon. It isn’t the longest passage but it is so powerful. When you begin to understand God’s Word at face value, it will begin to change the entire trajectory of your life. A lot of people read the Holy Bible but they fail to study it and apply it to their daily life which is an entirely different thing.

If you are a born again believer of Jesus Christ then you have the free gift of God, the Holy Spirit, living on the inside of you. He is the best Teacher that you could have to help you gain an understanding of the Word of God. He is the Author (2 Timothy 3:16) and the Interpreter (2 Peter 1:20). God’s rules and regulations are found throughout the entirety of the Bible and it is our responsibility to study to show ourselves approved, 2 Timothy 2:15.

The Proverbs of Solomon were written for the whole world so that the revelation of the righteous judgment of God could be revealed. We can never forget the fact that we serve a perfect and Holy God and there is no evil or wickedness found in Him. No matter what we do within our own means we will never be able to live righteously before the Lord. We have to rely on the righteousness of Christ by faith which is what makes us in right standing in the eyes of God.

Taking a closer look at the first part of this passage of Scripture that I am highlighting we can see that the word “treasures” is the Hebrew word “‘ôṣār” which means: gold, silver, costly utensils. The words “of wickedness” is the Hebrew word “rešaʿ” which means: wickedness (as violence and crime against civil law).

The word “profit” is the Hebrew word “yāʿal” which means: gain, wealth. The word “nothing” used in this passage is the Hebrew word “lō’” which means: without and nothing. So when we piece this first part of this powerful passage together we can interpret what Solomon is trying to say.

Wicked men and women that lack moral integrity that focus their lives wanting to make quick money in the wrong ways will gain nothing. A person that is after earthly treasures like: money, fame, multiple men, or multiple women, is seemingly profiting but in actuality they don’t have anything.

Their choices and lifestyle wanting instant satisfaction in the things of this world disregarding God altogether is sending them down a road to their ultimate demise. The Lord gives us our own will to make our own decisions and His wish is that none should perish but that we would all have eternal life.

One of the best passages of Scripture that discloses what happens to people that seek ill-gotten treasures by wicked means is found in Mark 8:36. It details, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Our Earthly life is like a fleeting vapor or mist that comes and goes before you know it. You can choose to store treasures in heaven or you can gain the treasures of this world and lose your soul in the process.

Now let’s take a closer look at the second part of this verse of Scripture that states, “…but righteousness delivers from death.” The words “but righteousness” is the Hebrew word “ṣᵊḏāqâ” which means: righteousness (as ethically right). The word “delivers” is the Hebrew word “nāṣal” which means: to snatch away, deliver, rescue, and save. The words “from death” is the Hebrew word “māveṯ” which means: death, dying, and state of death.

So when we piece these words together we can determine the message that Solomon is conveying. He is giving us the direct contrast from a person that is seeking to gain worldly treasures and a person with a righteous character seeking the favor of God. When we live our lives ethically abiding by the rules and stipulations give to us through the Word of God, we can expect to be delivered from death.

The fact of the matter is that no amount of money that you can make will help you flee from death if you are living a life that is wicked in the eyes of the Lord. God is extremely clear when he discloses in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When we live our lives filled with sin: fornicating, stealing, cheating, murdering, having a lying tongue, etc. we are putting ourselves in mortal danger.

Sin will always lead to death; there is no way around it. We have the choice whether we live an eternal life with our Lord and Savior in heaven or an eternal death separated from Him. There is going to come a judgment day where every knee will bow before the Lord and He will judge a person based on the life that they lived on Earth. There will be such thing as a second death in the lake of fire, Revelation 21:8.

The Lord wishes that none should perish but that we would all choose to follow and truly love Him with our entire heart, 2 Peter 3:9. That is why He provided us with His Word so that we can live a life that is pleasing to Him preventing us from going down the wrong path separating ourselves from Him. He is pure and holy and there is no sin in Him and one thing that He cannot do is align Himself with sin of any kind.

God has given every single one of us all of the tools that we need to succeed in this world including the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit living on the inside of us. We have absolutely no excuses to live a life that shines His amazing light to all of those that are living in a state of darkness. It all boils down to how much we are willing to die to ourselves daily so that we can live a life fully surrendered to Christ!

Also, don’t forget to check out my other blogs:

Who is the Prophet Isaiah

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Fight Back

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Feed Your Spirit

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Renouncing

Breaking Spiritual Strongholds-Confess and Repent

Recognizing Spiritual Strongholds

What are Spiritual Strongholds?