Postings on Proverbs 12:21

"No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble" (ESV)

Proverbs, remember, are principles to live by that are generally true, not promises or absolute laws of life. Everyone knows a Christian who gets harmed -- think of Job, or the persecuted church -- and everyone knows wicked people who avoid all kinds of trouble, for now.

What's really being said here? What's the skill this verse gives for living a good life?

Who? The righteous vs. The wicked
What? No ill befalls them vs. Filled with trouble
Where? Anywhere
When? Anytime
Why? Because of their actions? Their character?
How? ???

Longman says Solomon is so bold in this proverb "to encourage righteous rather than wicked behavior" (278), using the strategy of "pointing to the good things that follow from [wisdom] and the bad consequences that follow from [foolishness]" (82).

In other words, it seems to me this proverb is not saying "Evaluate a person's character by the trouble, or lack thereof, going on in their lives" though, often, you can understand how a person's been living based on the life they're currently facing.

Rather, I think this proverb is encouraging the reader to question which category she'd put herself in, righteous or wicked. Ultimately, if verses like Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28 mean anything, no ill befalls the righteous because it's all meant for and working for our good.

No promise like that exists for those outside of Christ.

Which one are you? I hope that helps! TII!!!