The Jesus Bible Reading PlanНамуна

AMONG THE CRIMINALS

In this passage Solomon warned his son against the temptation to use illicit means of gaining wealth. Through the voice of a gang that kills and robs people, Solomon presented the enticing prospect of filling one’s house with plunder taken from the unsuspecting and innocent. His warning focused on the destructive effects such a lifestyle has — not only on the victims but on the perpetrators of the crimes. Solomon knew where the path of violence and theft leads — to death. The wisdom principle is clear both here and throughout Proverbs: those who gain money the wrong way bring about their own destruction (Pr 10:2; 15:27).

But what about apparent exceptions to this principle? After all, many people enrich themselves in the wrong ways and seem to get away with it. Consider how this story points to the life of Jesus, the One who will someday rectify all injustice. Judas joined forces with a “gang” to set a trap for an innocent man. The gang set the trap, the innocent man was executed among criminals and Judas became richer by thirty pieces of silver. At first blush, this story seems to disprove the proverb. The innocent man died the death that criminals deserved to die, and the guilty man lined his pockets. But on Sunday morning, Judas was in the grave and Jesus walked out of his, proving that “ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death” (Pr 10:2).

Jesus, protect me from greed. I know that no deed is hidden from you. Amen.