Proverbs 24:15-16 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Scripture now warns the wicked against deliberately targeting the righteous. The imagery is of someone lying in wait to attack another person’s home or destroy his security. The wicked may think: “He is vulnerable; I can take advantage of him.” But God sees the injustice.
The righteous should not be targeted simply because they are less willing to use dishonest or violent methods to defend themselves.
‘For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.’ This is one of the most encouraging verses in Proverbs. The number seven represents completeness or repetition. The point is not that the righteous person literally falls exactly seven times, but that even repeated adversity cannot permanently destroy him.
Notice that the verse does not say: “The righteous man never falls.” It says: “He riseth up again.” The righteous person may experience failure, disappointment, persecution, loss, hardship, or setbacks. But he does not remain down.
To be continued…
