The Normalcy of Ungodliness

Introduction:

We should begin by reviewing the 10 Commandments.

Exodus 20.

God establishes for Israel his holy character and calls upon them to live defined by his character.

This same appeal is the argument in Proverbs.

What is the evidence that we trust the Lord instead of leaning on our own understanding?

It is trusting him with the kind of lives that we lead.

It is trusting him that to live consistent with his character is of greater value than having earthly possessions.

Last Sunday, we learned of the need to be urgent in making peace.

Today, we will be confronted with the opposite of being a peacemaker.

Mt. 5:9 “μακάριοι οἱ εἰρηνοποιοί, ὅτι αὐτοὶ υἱοὶ θεοῦ κληθήσονται.”

We can learn through warning by examining the type of person who sickens the Lord.

What does evil look like?

A Man of Belial

We are first introduced in Proverbs, although this has featured prominently in the Old Testament, to a “ADAM BELIAL.”

According to Dt. 13:12-13, we have individuals who seek to mislead a city into worshipping false gods.

This language makes us think of Nabal who opposed David.

Perhaps worth visiting later, it also brings to mind the incident of Naboth in 1 Kings 21:13.

All misunderstanding of the kind of person meant is removed by its appositive, “a wicked/evil man.”

His behavior (HaLak = walk) is defined by the deceptiveness or perversion of his speech.

We should notice the emphasis on body parts in this passage:

Eyes = wink

Feet = signal

Finger = points

Heart = plans

What is described is an individual who sometimes loudly but also through quiet gestures works at creating strife between individuals.

He may be at variance with his neighbor, but he especially takes pleasure in creating strife among others.

Tragic Consequences of Such a Life

This way of living does not turn out well, most likely, for the one who engages in it.

Instead, destruction or distress, perhaps arrogantly unforeseen results for the one who conducts his/her life in such a way.

What seems to be in view here is the arrogance that motivated the behind the scenes manipulation.

The person who thinks they are immune from the consequences of their own machinations may be in for a terrible surprise.

Sudden distress beyond repair.

Seven Abominations that Sicken the Lord

In ancient Near Eastern literature, the “plus one” figure of speech occurs quite frequently.

The emphasis is not upon six, it is upon seven.

A worldview is the way we understand the world and the meaning or purpose of life within it. One common worldview is that life is about the pursuit of what makes us happy or that which brings us pleasure. Many look at life this way.

A similar usage will occur in Prov. 30. (3 and 4 repetition).

Yet again notice the emphasis upon parts of the body:

Eyes = haughty

Tongue = lying

Hands = shed innocent blood

Heart = devises wicked plans

Feet = hasten to do evil

A false witness produces lies.

Breathes out: Prov. 14:5, 25; 19:5, 9.

This warning rounds out with the matter of sowing discord.

Prov. 16, especially Prov. 16:18-30 appear to be the sections that develop these ideas most full later in the work.

There we get to see these points driven home.

This has to be different fundamentally from Jesus’ words in Lk. 12:49 ff.

Jesus did not come to sow discord among families through the propagation of lies.

Ex. 23. The prohibition against being a "false witness" is easy to understand a violation of the nature of God. But, the term translated as "bear" can refer to an answer or a response, or it can be used in a forensic sense to refer to the act of giving testimony in a trial. In light of Exodus 23:1-3, we can understand its broader usage as both a lie or a lie in a court case. Note again the importance of Lev. 19:11.

List of Abominations:

Homosexuality, et. al: Lev. 18:22-30: the term occurs 5 times in this context.

Idolatry: Dt. 7:25.

Human sacrifice: Dt. 12:31.

Ritually unclean animals for food: Dt. 14:3-8.

Sacrificing blemished animals: Dt. 17:1.

Engaging in witchcraft: Deut. 18:9-14.

Conducting business dishonestly: Dt. 25:13-16.

Most of the uses in Proverbs relate to this type of dishonesty.

Prov. 17:15, however, should, make us pay attention.

The term “abomination” refers to something that is morally repulsive.

Conclusion

As a church, we are to have unity instead of strife.

Maturity in Christ produces peace and harmony, not discord and strife.

It also produces humility in the sight of God and among fellow believers.