The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
but the dwelling of the just he blesses;
When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern,
but to the humble he shows kindness.
If the first part of that two part verse sounds pretty ordinary -- that the wicked are punished and the virtuous, rewarded -- the second part goes beyond the routine. Who would expect the humble to receive kindness?
Why would they receive kindness if they were so humble they never asked for it, when louder voices demand it?
But both parts of this proverb assume something we often forget about God. The Lord is a person in at least the sense we understand person, which is to say, the Lord can and does make choices according to God's own design. (The word person is far from adequate to describe the ineffable mystery, but it's useful when we must be staggered by God's sovereignty.)
Philosophers and statisticians remind us not to take anyone's decision for granted. So long as there is free will there is unpredictability.
Plus, others take initiative, as God did when he made us in the first place. So the humble might be shown kindness despite their invisibility. The LORD who is hidden might seek and find the humble in their hiding place.
Reflecting on good and evil, virtue and vice, I am reminded that the Lord wants his people to be holy, which is somewhat more than keeping our hands clean and our bodies out of jail. We're supposed to shine like the stars on a clear night; we should standout like a city on the hill, even when no one is watching and no one cares.
Neither holiness nor humility demands recognition, but they deserve it for they are beautiful. And the LORD who is beautiful rewards the beautiful.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.