Proverbs 14:32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous has hope in his death. I. THE WICKED IS DRIVEN AWAY IN HIS WICKEDNESS. 1. Wicked men are taken out of the world against their will, and by a power which they cannot withstand. 2. They die with their souls unrenewed and their characters unchanged. 3. They go to receive the punish- ment of their sins. II. THE RIGHTEOUS HATH HOPE IN HIS DEATH. Though they may not be able to express themselves in the language of assurance and exultation, yet will there be a believing dependence on the mercy and faithfulness of God. And even though all hope should seem gone, and the manifestations of the Divine presence be withdrawn, yet even then would the declaration of our text be true. For as, on the one hand, the real certainty of our salvation is not augmented or diminished by our present feelings, however the evidence of it to ourselves may be affected, so, on the other, the position — the righteous have hope in their death — is not to be limited merely to express the feelings which the righteous may experience at death, but expresses also the security of their state. The foundation, as well as the objects of hope, remain firm and immutable. It is in the weakness of nature that the supporting energy of grace is most apparent, and the power of the Saviour is most conspicuously displayed. And how often hath it happened that, in the midst of utmost exhaustion, when all further utterance had ceased, the soul has seemed to catch a glimpse of future glory, and, reanimating the almost lifeless body, hath proclaimed its assurance of the Divine love and mercy and protection, and ascended to heaven in a song of holy triumph! (Alex. Fisher.) Parallel Verses KJV: The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.WEB: The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge. |
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