Proverbs 10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death. 

Three chief characteristics of the godly: They trust in God. They love God and His name. They are righteous (Ps. 5:12).

Twelve characteristics of the righteous: They walk uprightly – without blame. They work righteousness. They speak truth inwardly. They are free from backbiting (Ps. 15:3). They do no evil to neighbours. They receive no reproach about neighbours. They hold vile people condemned (Ps. 15:4). They honour them that fear the Lord. They keep their word even to own hurt. They take no advantage of one in need to increase riches (Ps. 15:5). They refuse bribes. They protect the innocent.

Five blessings of the righteous: They have a refuge (trust) in God. They are joyful in God. They have security in God. They are blessed by God. They have God’s favour or grace (Ps. 5:12).

Two comparisons between the righteous and the wicked: The righteous are like a tree planted, cultivated, and well-watered; not like one growing wild in the field (Ps. 1:3) and the wicked are like chaff that blows away and soon perishes (Ps. 1:4; cp. Ps. 35:5).

Proverbs 10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death. 

‘Wickedness’ [Hebrew: resha‛] lawlessness. All classes of the wicked are like the troubled sea that cannot be still and constantly stirs up the mire and dirt of sin and corruption. They have no peace (Isa. 57:20-21), no calmness of soul or spirit; their passions and appetites keep them in continual turmoil seeking something satisfying; the wealth, business, pleasure, pride, pomp, flattery, and unrest of the world only keep them dissatisfied; and strong undercurrents of malice, jealousy, lust, revenge, strife, and ambitions to outdo others keep them at war with God and fellowmen. The guilt of a past life and the burning memories of wrongdoing agitate the sinner day and night to cover up his evil, but he cannot escape the fear of hell and future reaping.

‘Profit nothing’ – Three examples of no profit to such gain: Rehoboam (2Chr. 12:1-4, 9); Gehazi (2Kin. 5:20-27; Pro. 21:6) and the rich fool (Luke 12:20; Pro. 11:28).

‘Righteousness delivers from death.’ Three examples of righteousness delivering: Noah (Gen. 7:1; Heb. 11:7); Daniel (Dan. 6:1-28) and the three Hebrew children (Dan. 3:1-30)

To be continued…