Posted on 04/18/2020 5:58:57 AM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress
“When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach . . . It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment” (Proverbs 18:3, 5).
Ignominy means dishonor, infamy, or disgrace. Nebuchadnezzar was a wicked man when he came into Jerusalem, and he certainly brought contempt as he looted the temple and stole all of the furniture. Of course, there are many that believe that because of Daniel’s faithfulness, that Nebuchadnezzar later accepted the God of Israel as his own. Nebuchadnezzar was both famous, and infamous.
When wicked men come to power, people may obey—but they also have great contempt for him. The wicked may have power and you may have to do what they say, but your attitude toward them will be filled with contempt. Why? Because they are wicked.
The folks in Russia and China have to put up with their leader, but not everyone agrees or willingly submits to their rule. There is really nothing they can do about it, and the government has all the guns. They have contempt for their government, but it is a quiet rebellion. They really have no other choice. Much of Germany despised Hitler, and desired his death, but they were only one against many. They saluted him and cheered him, but deep down inside they had nothing but hatred for him, because he was a wicked man.
“It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.”
“It is not good to accept the person of the wicked,” even though they may have good personalities, and are well dressed, but if they are wicked—they are wicked. We can consider Pontius Pilate in this. He accepted the person of the wicked. He wanted to release Jesus Christ, he really did, but because of the pressure from Herod and the pressure from the people, he accepted their persons instead of Jesus Christ he placed the righteous under judgment. He was the governor. He had the authority to do what he wanted to do—but he feared the people. He surely paid for it; he received his place in hell.
There was a time when Agrippa should have listened to Paul, rather than all of his court people. He looked around and accepted their person. Here was a man standing before him, and he knew that everything Paul was telling him was true. Paul said, “Thou knowest, Agrippa.” He told him that he knew the prophecies, that they were all true. But Agrippa didn’t have the character or the fortitude to stand against the persons of the wicked. He is in his place in hell today.
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Amen to that!
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