Topical Bible: Righteousness: The Wicked Though Favoured, Will not Learn

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In the biblical context, righteousness is often juxtaposed with wickedness, highlighting the moral and spiritual divide between those who follow God's commandments and those who do not. The concept that the wicked, despite experiencing favor or prosperity, fail to learn righteousness is a recurring theme in Scripture. This notion underscores the idea that external blessings do not necessarily lead to internal transformation or moral improvement.

Scriptural References:

1. Isaiah 26:10 : "Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he deals unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD." This verse illustrates the futility of expecting the wicked to change their ways simply because they experience grace or favor. Despite being in an environment conducive to righteousness, the wicked persist in their unjust ways, blinded to the divine majesty and moral order established by God.

2. Ecclesiastes 8:11 : "When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil." This passage suggests that the delay or absence of immediate consequences for wicked actions emboldens individuals to continue in their unrighteousness. The lack of swift justice can lead to a hardened heart, resistant to learning or embracing righteousness.

3. Psalm 73:3-12 : The psalmist laments the prosperity of the wicked, observing that they are often free from common human burdens and are not plagued like others. Despite their apparent success, they are described as prideful and violent, with hearts that overflow with folly. Their prosperity does not lead them to repentance or righteousness but rather reinforces their arrogance and distance from God.

4. Proverbs 1:32 : "For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them." This proverb highlights the self-destructive nature of complacency in wickedness. The favor or ease experienced by the wicked does not prompt them to seek wisdom or righteousness; instead, it leads to their downfall.

Theological Implications:

The biblical narrative consistently presents the idea that true righteousness is a matter of the heart and cannot be achieved through external circumstances alone. The wicked, even when favored, often remain entrenched in their ways due to a fundamental lack of spiritual insight and humility. This theme serves as a warning against equating material success or temporal favor with divine approval or moral rectitude.

The inability of the wicked to learn righteousness despite favorable conditions is a testament to the necessity of divine intervention and personal repentance. It underscores the biblical teaching that transformation is a work of God in the heart, requiring a response of faith and obedience from the individual. The Scriptures call believers to pursue righteousness through a relationship with God, rather than relying on external circumstances to dictate their moral and spiritual state.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 26:10
Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 106:43
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Accusers Challenged
... And though, like the wicked servant in the parable ... the ungodly, his faith is counted
for righteousness (Romans 4 ... a child of God; and true faith, though at first ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlvi accusers challenged.htm

Messiah's Innocence vindicated
... of sin, brought in an everlasting righteousness, and having ... He suffered, though innocent;
but He threatened not. He was crucified by wicked men; but He prayed ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xxiv messiahs innocence vindicated.htm

The Third Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary.
... light was sent that should announce the Sun of righteousness. ... to elude the notice
of the wicked one; for ... also Rebecca, and again Anna, who all, though bound by ...
/.../the third homily on the.htm

The Duty of Self-Denial.
... minds dwell at all on the necessity of works of righteousness. ... Almighty God, too,
is angry with the wicked. ... it is over-difficult to imitate him, though we be ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon vii the duty of.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... Abram's faith was counted to him for righteousness, and those ... to win the good word
of the wicked man? Why gaddest though abroad to find earthly pleasures where ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... and Josiah was the son of wicked Amon ... through God's mercy, in every city: and though
Jeremiah might ... Acts, calls it "fearing and working righteousness," where he ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

Adonijah
... if ambition is not ruled by righteousness, if it ... great things for thyself; seek them
not." Though it is ... of history, "The expectation of the wicked shall perish ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm

Light at Evening Time
... it the day when the Sun of righteousness should arise ... You never felt so wicked, never
knew that you were so ... Though you relied upon it, it has been a delusion ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/light at evening time.htm

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the ...
... No man is so wicked that he is addicted ... Except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the ... canst not have a regenerate soul, though thou reformest ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations on the hindrances which.htm

The Sons of God
... Father, until they came out from the midst of a wicked world, and ... His righteousness
becomes our beauty ... Will you not be satisfied to serve God though you lose by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the sons of god.htm