Proverbs 10:25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
Tornados are very dangerous, destructive things. I should know because when I was around 4 one hit my house, ripping the roof off of it like a dollhouse. Fortunately we were in the basement of the home when it hit us and as a result were safe from its destructive force. The upper portion of our home was destroyed, but we were in the foundation of the house - and our foundation was strong and safe for us.
Our proverb of the day speaks of tornados and foundations. We are reminded of the destructive power of a whirlwind. The word used here is the Hebrew word “supah” which means a severe storm with very strong, destructive winds. For those in Israel they would think either of a type of hurricane that might strike the coast - or of the deadly storms that would sweep down the northern mountains into the Sea of Galilee, usually destroying almost anything that was on the waters. What is fascinating is that the whirlwind mentioned here refers to the judgment of God in every instance it is used except one. Thus the whirlwind mentioned here is the tempest of God’s holy judgment that will come one day. As a tornado or massive hurricane sweeps away everything before it - so the whirling judgment of God will sweep away the wicked.
In the midst of such a tempest the wicked will be no more. They will be taken and destroyed. But the righteous man will stand in that day. In fact the wise man reminds us that the foundation of the righteous is an everlasting one. Though the storm assails it, it is not moved. Such a picture immediately reminds us of our Lord’s teachings at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Two foundations are mentioned - one built on the rock, which is defined as those who hear and obey Jesus’ words. The other foundation - the one that represents those who hear but do not obey is a sand foundation. What is interesting is that both of these foundations experience storms and winds. But whereas the sand foundation is destroyed - the one founded on hearing and obeying God remains.
There are the normal storms of life that can wreak havoc on people’s lives. A foundation on the Word of God is strong in such times - whereas the sand foundation will crumble. But there is a storm coming - one that is beyond any storm known to man. It is the storm of the judgment of God. God is just and although He acts with tremendous mercy now - there will be a day when His ultimate justice will be satisfied upon rebellious mankind. The wicked may show a bold face - but there is something about an approaching force 5 tornado that reduces all men to shaking, trembling weaklings. There is something about the wrath of God that will melt all resolve and all facades of bravery. In that day the wicked will be swept away - carried off to destruction for all eternity. But what is truly amazing is the promise that the righteous have an everlasting foundation that will stand - even in that day. That foundation is righteousness that is from God on the basis of faith. That foundation is Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the payment of all sin. Only that foundation will remain - even as all others are forever swept away.
I have photo albums with pictures of the dreadful night that the whirlwind blew through Lockport, Illinois. There was destruction on a level that humbled even the strongest in our city. As a tornado bounced through my neighborhood it set its sites on my home. When it was over the home afforded no shelter as there were 2 by 4’s through the beds of everyone who lived there - and who truly would have died there. The only thing that stood on that night was the foundation - in which we took refuge from the whirlwind as it passed. There will be another day. It will be the end of all days as the ultimate whirlwind will descend. On THAT DAY we need to all know that once again, only the foundation will remain. And that foundation is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Take refuge in Him today!
Tornados are very dangerous, destructive things. I should know because when I was around 4 one hit my house, ripping the roof off of it like a dollhouse. Fortunately we were in the basement of the home when it hit us and as a result were safe from its destructive force. The upper portion of our home was destroyed, but we were in the foundation of the house - and our foundation was strong and safe for us.
Our proverb of the day speaks of tornados and foundations. We are reminded of the destructive power of a whirlwind. The word used here is the Hebrew word “supah” which means a severe storm with very strong, destructive winds. For those in Israel they would think either of a type of hurricane that might strike the coast - or of the deadly storms that would sweep down the northern mountains into the Sea of Galilee, usually destroying almost anything that was on the waters. What is fascinating is that the whirlwind mentioned here refers to the judgment of God in every instance it is used except one. Thus the whirlwind mentioned here is the tempest of God’s holy judgment that will come one day. As a tornado or massive hurricane sweeps away everything before it - so the whirling judgment of God will sweep away the wicked.
In the midst of such a tempest the wicked will be no more. They will be taken and destroyed. But the righteous man will stand in that day. In fact the wise man reminds us that the foundation of the righteous is an everlasting one. Though the storm assails it, it is not moved. Such a picture immediately reminds us of our Lord’s teachings at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Two foundations are mentioned - one built on the rock, which is defined as those who hear and obey Jesus’ words. The other foundation - the one that represents those who hear but do not obey is a sand foundation. What is interesting is that both of these foundations experience storms and winds. But whereas the sand foundation is destroyed - the one founded on hearing and obeying God remains.
There are the normal storms of life that can wreak havoc on people’s lives. A foundation on the Word of God is strong in such times - whereas the sand foundation will crumble. But there is a storm coming - one that is beyond any storm known to man. It is the storm of the judgment of God. God is just and although He acts with tremendous mercy now - there will be a day when His ultimate justice will be satisfied upon rebellious mankind. The wicked may show a bold face - but there is something about an approaching force 5 tornado that reduces all men to shaking, trembling weaklings. There is something about the wrath of God that will melt all resolve and all facades of bravery. In that day the wicked will be swept away - carried off to destruction for all eternity. But what is truly amazing is the promise that the righteous have an everlasting foundation that will stand - even in that day. That foundation is righteousness that is from God on the basis of faith. That foundation is Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the payment of all sin. Only that foundation will remain - even as all others are forever swept away.
I have photo albums with pictures of the dreadful night that the whirlwind blew through Lockport, Illinois. There was destruction on a level that humbled even the strongest in our city. As a tornado bounced through my neighborhood it set its sites on my home. When it was over the home afforded no shelter as there were 2 by 4’s through the beds of everyone who lived there - and who truly would have died there. The only thing that stood on that night was the foundation - in which we took refuge from the whirlwind as it passed. There will be another day. It will be the end of all days as the ultimate whirlwind will descend. On THAT DAY we need to all know that once again, only the foundation will remain. And that foundation is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Take refuge in Him today!
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