“Ill-gotten gains do not profit, But righteousness delivers from death. The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked.” – Proverbs 10:3 (NASB)

It is common to wonder why those who act wickedly seem to prosper from their evil actions. We want fairness in life even though we may not fully understand what fairness might be in any given situation. Also, it is certain that we can be tempted to do what is not right where we might “get away with it.” By giving into temptation any benefit or pleasure is only temporary. Rationalizing “nobody’s really hurt” is a false means of excusing ourselves. Wisdom teaches us differently and we have learned the value of Heavenly Wisdom in the first chapters.  In continuous discourse, the nature and value of heavenly wisdom has been contrasted with the fascinations of sinful folly. In Chapter 10, the proverbs are given mostly as unconnected sentences of profound thought, and observation⸺ using antithetical or illustrative form. We are taught by comparison of two means to live or two promises. Today’s verse for example, God promises to not allow the righteous to go hungry while the ultimate benefit to the wicked will be fail. The way of the wicked is a loser’s way but the way of the righteous is the way to promises of blessings.

197