Pro 11:7 | KingComments | STEP | As for “a wicked man”, the moment he dies his “expectation will perish” ( ; ). This verse speaks of a great tragedy associated with the expectation that the wicked man believes he has. Any hope of longevity or success will end in disillusionment because that expectation is anchored in reliance on earthly possessions. He may have had “the hope of strong men” that he would live forever in prosperity, with rock-solid confidence in carrying out his plans, but it all perishes like a vapor when he dies. The Lord Jesus tells of a rich man who dies without God. This man had to leave all his wealth at his death and in the afterlife he did not even have a drop of water to cool his tongue in even the slightest way ( ). What grace that the believer may have a certain hope, a hope that when he dies does not perish, but rather is fulfilled. The believer’s hope is a certainty; it is a hope that does not fail ( ; ). Therefore, he hopes “with perseverance” ( ). “The righteous is” delivered by God “from trouble” ( ). The righteous can come into trouble. We can think of oppressive, confining situations that limit his freedom and cause him anxiety. Wicked people can make life very troublesome for him. But God ensures that he does not perish and will deliver him from it. What afflicts “the wicked” is opposite, and in a remarkable way. The wicked not only receives a deserved punishment, but he is given the place into which he himself first brought the righteous. The roles are reversed. A clear example of this is Haman being hanged in Mordecai’s place ( ). With the men thrown into the lion’s den in Daniel’s place, we see the same thing ( ). This reversal of roles will also take place when the Lord Jesus appears. The believers will then be delivered from tribulation, and the wicked will come into tribulation ( ).

‏ Proverbs 11:7

The Fate of the Wicked

As for “a wicked man”, the moment he dies his “expectation will perish” (Pro 11:7; Psa 49:16-20). This verse speaks of a great tragedy associated with the expectation that the wicked man believes he has. Any hope of longevity or success will end in disillusionment because that expectation is anchored in reliance on earthly possessions.

He may have had “the hope of strong men” that he would live forever in prosperity, with rock-solid confidence in carrying out his plans, but it all perishes like a vapor when he dies. The Lord Jesus tells of a rich man who dies without God. This man had to leave all his wealth at his death and in the afterlife he did not even have a drop of water to cool his tongue in even the slightest way (Lk 16:19-31).

What grace that the believer may have a certain hope, a hope that when he dies does not perish, but rather is fulfilled. The believer’s hope is a certainty; it is a hope that does not fail (Heb 11:1; Rom 5:5). Therefore, he hopes “with perseverance” (Rom 8:24-25).

“The righteous is” delivered by God “from trouble” (Pro 11:8). The righteous can come into trouble. We can think of oppressive, confining situations that limit his freedom and cause him anxiety. Wicked people can make life very troublesome for him. But God ensures that he does not perish and will deliver him from it.

What afflicts “the wicked” is opposite, and in a remarkable way. The wicked not only receives a deserved punishment, but he is given the place into which he himself first brought the righteous. The roles are reversed. A clear example of this is Haman being hanged in Mordecai’s place (Est 7:10 ; Est 9:1). With the men thrown into the lion’s den in Daniel’s place, we see the same thing (Dan 6:24-25). This reversal of roles will also take place when the Lord Jesus appears. The believers will then be delivered from tribulation, and the wicked will come into tribulation (2Thes 1:6-7).