Early Rising: Practised by the Wicked, For: Deceit
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In the Scriptures, the practice of early rising is often associated with diligence and devotion, as seen in the lives of the righteous. However, the Bible also acknowledges that early rising can be employed by the wicked for deceitful purposes. This duality highlights the moral neutrality of the act itself, which can be used for both virtuous and nefarious ends, depending on the intent of the individual.

Biblical Instances of Early Rising for Deceit:

1. Micah 2:1 · The prophet Micah provides a vivid depiction of the wicked who rise early to execute their malevolent plans. The verse states, "Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning light they accomplish it because it is in their power to do so." Here, the early risers are not commended for their industriousness but are condemned for using their time to carry out evil schemes. The morning light, a symbol of new beginnings and hope, is instead used as an opportunity to fulfill their wicked intentions.

2. Proverbs 4:16 · This proverb further illustrates the restless nature of the wicked, who are driven to rise early to commit wrongdoing. "For they cannot sleep unless they have done evil; they are robbed of slumber until they make someone fall." The urgency with which the wicked pursue their deceitful acts is underscored by their inability to rest until their plans are realized. Early rising, in this context, becomes a tool for perpetuating harm and injustice.

3. Jeremiah 7:13 · The prophet Jeremiah warns of the consequences of ignoring God's repeated calls to repentance, highlighting the persistence of the wicked in their ways. "And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you did not listen, and I have called you but you did not answer," suggests that the wicked rise early not to heed God's voice but to pursue their own deceitful desires, ignoring divine warnings.

Moral Implications:

The Bible's portrayal of early rising for deceit serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of time and opportunity. While rising early is often associated with positive attributes such as discipline and commitment, the Scriptures remind us that these qualities can be subverted for evil purposes. The wicked, in their eagerness to execute their plans, demonstrate a perverse form of diligence that ultimately leads to their downfall.

In a broader sense, these passages call believers to examine their own motivations and the ways in which they use their time. The righteous are encouraged to rise early for prayer, worship, and the pursuit of godly endeavors, aligning their actions with the will of God. In contrast, the wicked's early rising for deceit serves as a stark reminder of the potential for corruption when one's heart is not aligned with divine principles.

By understanding the biblical perspective on early rising for deceit, believers are better equipped to discern the intentions behind their actions and to strive for a life that honors God in all aspects, including the use of their time.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Proverbs 27:14
He that blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... Duty, of marriage among the early people of God, [1103]403, [1104]406 ... 527; of men
for temporal objects praised, [1128]528; practised for wicked ends, [1129 ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... that passage are the sons of the wicked (compare Job 27 ... Patriarch, there is the prophecy
of the rising of a ... in itself sufficient, since it occurs so early as in ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
... Good education, early habits of morality, sermons, books, regular ... needs go out among
the wicked Shechemites, to ... matter of course, but seldom practised; a thing ...
/.../chapter xix tit 2 6 thoughts.htm

Analysis of the Westminster Confession.
... bare remembrance theory attributed to the early Swiss Reformers as ... was denounced
and assailed by the rising school of ... of the Sabbath, held and practised of the ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 95 analysis of the.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... work of Aristides may be as early as 125 ... in that they killed one another, practised
sorcery, and ... unrecognized, and crucified, and dying, and rising again, and ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... and frightful Water of the sun-rising, and the ... he performed his devotions in the
early morning hours ... elements, but that sometimes a wicked spirit, foreseeing ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... him with the upper part of his body rising above that ... Pausanias, who witnessed the
cult as practised at Hierocaesarsea ... must have taken place very early, for the ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... Bunyan in this treatise, call the early period of ... exceeding subtle and expert, as
having practised it ever ... dying for sins at Jerusalem, his rising again without ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... The gradations of a wicked man in that evil age, from his cradle to his ... Lying and
pilfering mark his early days; followed in after life by swearing, cheating ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... I will even grant that those who are practised in judging ... If you call me wicked for
following your example ... is for men the possibility of both rising and falling ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Resources
What is the Epistle of Barnabas? | GotQuestions.org

What are the apocryphal gospels? | GotQuestions.org

Why did the early Mormons believe in plural marriage? | GotQuestions.org

Early: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Early Rising

Early Rising: Abraham

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Early Rising: Christ Set an Example of

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Early Rising: Illustrates Spiritual Diligence

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Early Rising: Joshua

Early Rising: Mary

Early Rising: Neglect of, Leads to Poverty

Early Rising: Practised by the Wicked, For: Deceit

Early Rising: Practised by the Wicked, For: Executing Plans of Evil

Early Rising: Requisite For: Devotion

Early Rising: Requisite For: Discharge of Daily Duties

Early Rising: Requisite For: Executing God's Commands

Early Rising: Samuel

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Early Rising: Neglect of, Leads to Poverty
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