Topical Bible: Righteousness: The Wicked Vainly Wish to Die As Those Who Follow

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Righteousness, a central theme in the Bible, is often contrasted with wickedness. The Scriptures reveal that the wicked, despite their unrighteous lives, often express a desire to die the death of the righteous, hoping for the peace and reward that accompany a life lived in accordance with God's will. This paradox highlights the inherent understanding of the value and eternal significance of righteousness, even among those who do not pursue it.

Biblical Context

The desire of the wicked to die as the righteous is poignantly illustrated in the account of Balaam, a prophet who, despite his waywardness, recognized the blessed state of the righteous. In Numbers 23:10 , Balaam declares, "Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my end be like theirs!" This statement underscores the recognition of the blessedness and peace that accompany the righteous, a state that the wicked, in their heart of hearts, long for.

The Nature of Righteousness

Righteousness in the biblical sense is not merely a moral or ethical standard but is deeply rooted in a relationship with God. It involves living in accordance with God's laws and commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:25 : "And if we are careful to observe every one of these commandments before the LORD our God, just as He has commanded us, then that will be our righteousness." The righteous are those who seek to align their lives with God's will, resulting in a life marked by peace, joy, and eternal hope.

The Futility of the Wicked's Desire

The wicked's desire to die as the righteous is ultimately futile because it is not accompanied by a life of faith and obedience. Proverbs 14:32 states, "The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death." This verse highlights the stark difference between the end of the wicked and the righteous. The wicked, having lived a life contrary to God's commands, cannot expect to share in the eternal refuge and peace promised to the righteous.

The Call to Righteousness

The Bible consistently calls individuals to pursue righteousness, emphasizing that it is a path open to all who seek God earnestly. Isaiah 55:6-7 exhorts, "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon." This call to repentance and righteousness is a recurring theme, offering hope and redemption to those who turn from wickedness.

Eternal Implications

The eternal implications of righteousness versus wickedness are profound. Daniel 12:2-3 speaks of the final resurrection: "And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." The righteous are promised eternal life and glory, a stark contrast to the fate of the wicked.

In summary, while the wicked may express a desire to die as the righteous, the Bible makes it clear that such a desire is in vain without a life of faith and obedience to God. Righteousness is not merely a state to be wished for at death but a way of life to be pursued diligently, with eternal consequences that reflect one's relationship with the Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 23:10
Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

V. ...
... You are vainly enough adorned when you are adorned ... end, that they may execute His
righteousness; so wicked ... him; for, in order that even wicked wretches might ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iii v .htm

Sermon for Christmas Day
... reward, must suffer from and with the wicked of this ... to depart from sin, and to work
righteousness; not to ... But those who vainly think to be made God's children ...
/.../iv sermon for christmas day.htm

One Thing is Needful;
... Each walking in his righteousness With shining crowns of gold ... Of those who do reject
his path, And wicked ways walk ... to vanity hath gone, Thus did I vainly walk. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/one thing is needful.htm

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... and afford them hope, and not vainly to suppose ... exhortations, and sets a pattern
of righteousness, and proclaims ... wolves, that is, by demons and wicked men, or ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm

John Smith, Platonist --"An Interpreter of the Spirit"
... in their wickedness, they do but vainly dream of ... energetical Spirit or Power of
Righteousness," "a Principle ... and headlong motion."[30] "Would wicked men dwell ...
/.../chapter xvi john smith platonistan.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... saith the wise man, "showeth forth righteousness: but a ... commonly doth arise from
the same wicked principles, at ... If we fail to do thus, we do, vainly, or rashly ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

Washed to Greater Foulness
... deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can ... Your rich mantle of
righteousness after this tumble in ... not play at purification, nor vainly hope to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/washed to greater foulness.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... the deceitful lips and tongues of the wicked, for we ... the faith, and now she enjoys
the crown of righteousness. ... to come to the end and vainly supposing that by ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

The Fourth Book
... of this age scarcely any seems more vainly used than ... we see that he is comparing
the wicked Christians with ... if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fourth book.htm

A Call to Holy Living
... and tells us that except our righteousness exceeds that ... Vainly do they boast of
scholarship who cannot read a ... with this eye he looks upon the wicked, upon the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/a call to holy living.htm