A Proverb for the Day (11:31)
October 21st, 2009“If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, How much more the wicked and the sinner!” (Proverbs 11:31 NASU). The translation of the NASU can be confusing in this verse. The word “rewarded” may be more accurately translated “recompensed.” The idea is they are going to get what is just / due to them. The righteous are sometimes punished on earth. Moses and Aaron were excluded from the Promised Land. David had consequences for his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. Sin sometimes has consequences even after forgiveness is obtained. If one ruined their liver through alcohol abuse and later came to Christ, they still have the ruined liver as a result of their sins even though they have been forgiven. If this is the case with the righteous, how much worse is it for those who do not care about sinning and do not have forgiveness (cf. 1 Peter 4:18)?
