Jul '24 • Wisdom
What do we consume?
‘For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.’ Proverbs 4:17
This verse illustrates the deep entrenchment of the wicked in their sinful ways. Eating the bread of wickedness and drinking the wine of violence suggest that these individuals are nourished and sustained by their evil actions. Wickedness and violence are not merely acts they commit; they are integral to their existence, akin to the food and drink that sustain life.
Psalm 14:4 echoes this imagery, stating, "Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord." This verse also portrays the wicked as consuming others, using the metaphor of eating bread to depict their exploitation and oppression. It emphasizes their utter disregard for God and their insatiable hunger for iniquity.
Isaiah 59:6-7 provides further insight: "Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths." These verses underline the pervasive nature of wickedness in their lives, demonstrating how their actions are continually directed towards evil and violence, resulting in destruction and suffering.
Habakkuk 2:15-16 offers a similar warning: "Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the Lord's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory." This passage illustrates the consequences of leading others into sin and the ultimate disgrace that follows.
Practically, Proverbs 4:17 serves as a sobering reminder of the corrupting nature of sin. It shows us that engaging in wickedness and violence can become so habitual that it sustains and defines an individual's life. This verse calls us to examine what we are allowing to nourish our spirits. Are we consuming the bread of wickedness and the wine of violence through the media we watch, the company we keep, or the actions we condone?
This verse challenges us to seek spiritual nourishment from righteous sources. Just as physical food sustains our bodies, the spiritual food we consume shapes our souls. Jesus said in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." By turning to Christ and His teachings, we can find the true sustenance that leads to life and peace, in contrast to the destructive sustenance of wickedness and violence.
In summary, Proverbs 4:17, supported by other scriptural references, underscores the deep entrenchment and sustenance the wicked find in their evil ways. It serves as a warning against allowing sin to become the bread and wine of our lives. By seeking spiritual nourishment from Christ and His teachings, we can break free from the destructive patterns of wickedness and find true life and fulfillment in Him.
1
0 comments
What do we consume?
powered by
skool.com/everyday-bible-4349
Everyday Bible was created to discuss as a community the Word of God and its practical application in our lives.
Suggested communities
Powered by