How does Proverbs 10:28 define the hope of the righteous and wicked? Opening the Text Proverbs 10:28: “The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish.” What Does “Hope” Mean Here? • Hebrew word “tiqvah” carries the ideas of anticipation, confident waiting, a cord that ties you to a future certainty. • For the righteous, that cord is anchored to God’s promises; for the wicked, it’s tied to self-made dreams destined to snap. Hope of the Righteous—A Guaranteed Joy • Enduring satisfaction, not momentary emotion (Psalm 16:11). • Grounded in God’s unchanging character (Numbers 23:19). • Described as an “anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). • Reaches its climax in eternal life: “born again to a living hope… an inheritance that can never perish” (1 Peter 1:3-4). • Produces present confidence and future celebration. Expectation of the Wicked—A Doomed Dream • Built on human schemes and fading pleasures (Ecclesiastes 2:11). • Scripture labels it “smoke” that vanishes (Psalm 37:20). • Ends abruptly at death: “When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes” (Proverbs 11:7). • Culminates in eternal separation from God (Revelation 21:8). Solomon’s Stark Contrast • Righteous: anticipation → joy → life. • Wicked: expectation → collapse → ruin. • One hope grows brighter; the other burns out. Living Out the Verse • Build every expectation on Christ’s finished work and coming kingdom. • Let daily choices align with the character God declares righteous (Romans 6:13). • Encourage fellow believers with the promise that our hope cannot perish, spoil, or fade. |
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