Proverbs 1:32
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For
the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity
of fools shall destroy them.
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Why do people buy lottery tickets? They see the hyped publicity of a winner,
and it deceives their foolish hearts. Lottery tickets are a certain loss
and a trap to tax the poor, who have no taxable income; yet the poor buy
them, because the "winner" fools their souls. Show one winner
(ignoring millions of losers), and the poor will get yet poorer.
When men reject God's offered wisdom (1:20-29), He deceives them with the false success of sinners (1:31-32). They see simpletons reject God's wisdom and seemingly get away with it, so they boldly follow their example. They see fools enjoying apparent prosperity, so they confidently follow them. In both cases, they do it to their own death.
God judges and blinds men for death and destruction. He lets sinners get away with wickedness for a while to deceive others to think they can do the same. The world is full of "success stories" of men rejecting God's wisdom; but they are deceived themselves, and they are God's means of deceiving others who have also refused His knowledge.
Saints can fret at success of sinners. Asaph saw the wicked prospering and almost gave up his faith (Ps 73:2-14), but the Lord reminded him of future retribution for all men (Ps 73:15-28). So we read, "Fret not thyself because of evil men" (24:19-20; Ps 37:1-20).
God may be silent for a while, and sinners foolishly think He approves of them (Ps 50:16-21). But He warns that without repentance He will judge terribly (Ps 50:21-22), and only those who live righteously and praise Him shall receive His favor (Ps 50:23).
Dear reader, results prove nothing. Moses got water from the rock (Num 20:7-12); false prophets do miracles (Deut 13:1-5); and Israel got quail (Ps 106:15). If a neighbor never disciplined his "fine children," do not regard it! If a fornicator is living a life of luxury and pleasure, do not regard it! He is racing to death and hell without recourse (9:18)!
Wise Agur feared riches and their effect (30:7-9). Prosperity did not help Israel, for they rebelled in their fatness (Deut 31:20; 32:15-18). Beauty can be a curse (Ezek 16:6-15). And success caused two rich men to forget their souls (Luke 12:15-21; 16:19-31). The goodness of God should lead men to repent (Rom 2:4). But they take confidence in their prosperity and do not see the coming judgment (Ps 37:35-36; 92:6-7; Jer 48:11-13).
Our Lord saw much success, but He kept His eyes on His great work in Jerusalem. And though offered great position and prosperity, He rejected them (John 6:15; Luke 4:5-8).
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