Pro 10:28 | KingComments | STEP | The normal expectation for one who fears the LORD is that he will live long, while the years of the wicked “will be shortened” ( ). That a God-fearing person sometimes dies young and a wicked one lives long may cause doubt about this verse ( ). That doubt disappears when we remember that the meaning extends beyond death. The expectation that the righteous has gives him joy now and not only later, at the fulfillment of that expectation ( ). This is because his expectation is connected to the faithful God and His Christ. That God is with him even now. In Him his heart trusts. The eye of the righteous person is not primarily focused on what he expects, life forever, but on Him Who will not shame his expectation. Someone has said that it is not about a long life, but a full life. A full life is a life filled with the will of God and is therefore a long life, because “the one who does the will of God, will live forever” ( ). The Lord Jesus spoke of life in abundance ( ). That life never comes to an end and is also life enjoyed in its fullness. It is not only about duration, but also about content. The short stay on earth is followed by a life forever with the Lord Jesus in the Father’s house. The wicked also have their expectations. They consider themselves well off if they are prosperous and healthy by living as if this will remain so indefinitely. In their dream house they imagine themselves in heaven even now, but they will wake up in hell. They have no ground for their expectation that their prosperity will last forever because they do not count with God. Therefore, their expectation will also perish. King Zedekiah is a clear example of this ( ).

‏ Proverbs 10:28

Hope and Expectation

The normal expectation for one who fears the LORD is that he will live long, while the years of the wicked “will be shortened” (Pro 10:27). That a God-fearing person sometimes dies young and a wicked one lives long may cause doubt about this verse (Psa 73:1-22). That doubt disappears when we remember that the meaning extends beyond death.

The expectation that the righteous has gives him joy now and not only later, at the fulfillment of that expectation (Pro 10:28). This is because his expectation is connected to the faithful God and His Christ. That God is with him even now. In Him his heart trusts. The eye of the righteous person is not primarily focused on what he expects, life forever, but on Him Who will not shame his expectation.

Someone has said that it is not about a long life, but a full life. A full life is a life filled with the will of God and is therefore a long life, because “the one who does the will of God, will live forever” (1Jn 2:17). The Lord Jesus spoke of life in abundance (Jn 10:10b). That life never comes to an end and is also life enjoyed in its fullness. It is not only about duration, but also about content. The short stay on earth is followed by a life forever with the Lord Jesus in the Father’s house.

The wicked also have their expectations. They consider themselves well off if they are prosperous and healthy by living as if this will remain so indefinitely. In their dream house they imagine themselves in heaven even now, but they will wake up in hell. They have no ground for their expectation that their prosperity will last forever because they do not count with God. Therefore, their expectation will also perish. King Zedekiah is a clear example of this (Jer 39:1-8).