What other scriptures warn against coveting what belongs to others? Ezekiel’s Snapshot of Sinful Desire Ezekiel 35:10 exposes Edom’s greedy plan: “Because you have said, ‘These two nations and countries will be ours, and we will possess them,’ although the LORD was there.” Their coveting of Israel’s land invites judgment. Scripture consistently confronts that same heart–issue in many other passages. Foundational Commandments • Exodus 20:17 — “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house…or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” • Deuteronomy 5:21 — “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife…his field…or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” The Lord wrote these words in stone, underscoring that desiring what is not ours is neither trivial nor permissible. Wisdom Literature’s Cautions • Proverbs 28:22 — “A stingy man is eager for wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.” • Psalm 10:3 — “For the wicked man boasts of his soul’s desire; the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD.” • Psalm 119:36 — “Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.” These verses show that unchecked craving blinds, impoverishes, and distances us from God. Narratives that Illustrate the Danger • Joshua 7:21 — Achan confesses, “I coveted them and took them.” His secret greed cost Israel a battle and cost him his life. • 1 Kings 21 (summary) — King Ahab covets Naboth’s vineyard; Jezebel arranges Naboth’s death. Judgment follows swiftly on the royal house. • 2 Samuel 11 (summary) — David’s covetous glance at Bathsheba triggers adultery, murder, and national turmoil. Prophetic Warnings beyond Ezekiel • Micah 2:2 — “They covet fields and seize them…They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.” • Habakkuk 2:9 — “Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain…” The prophets link coveting to societal injustice and assure us God notices every greedy scheme. New Testament Reinforcement • Romans 7:7 — “I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘Do not covet.’” • Romans 13:9 — The command “Do not covet” is included in the summary, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” • Colossians 3:5 — “Put to death…greed, which is idolatry.” • Hebrews 13:5 — “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” • James 4:2 — “You crave what you do not have…You kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it.” • Luke 12:15 — “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Coveting remains a live issue; the apostles treat it as idolatry, opposition to love, and a root of conflict. Putting Truth into Practice • Cultivate contentment: thank God daily for present blessings (Hebrews 13:5). • Celebrate others’ successes rather than envying them (Romans 12:15). • Redirect desire toward eternal treasure (Matthew 6:19–21). • Practice generosity; giving uproots greedy impulses (2 Corinthians 9:6–8). The same Lord who judged Edom invites us to freedom from coveting, promising Himself as our sufficient portion. |
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