Today’s proverb spotlights the earthly journey of the wicked and the path of destruction that is their life. Proverbs 16:25, identical to Proverbs 14:12, may well be the third most oft quoted proverb [the first being Proverbs 3:5-6 and the second Proverbs 22:6].
Proverbs 16:25 – “There is a way [journey; road; course] that seemeth [appears] right [just; straight; upright] unto a man, but the end [outcome; journey; close of life] thereof are the ways [journey; road; course] of death [leads to and ends with death; hades].”
Living in a society that has rejected moral absolutes, we find Proverbs 16:25 is indeed relevant to our day. The philosophy of our day has become that which was said of ancient Israel when she had turned from God, rejected His Law and despised His prophets: “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). As it is with the fool, so it is with the wicked, for he does that which is “right in his own eyes” and refuses godly counsel (Proverbs 12:15).
Having rejected God, His Word and Law, humanity follows a path of sin that leads to a predictable end—death and hell. Some follow a way of crime and violence; another the way of fame and fortune. Some pursue a path of drugs and alcohol while others indulge in sexual immorality. Some go the way of the rebel and others the path of the scholar; however, apart from God their ways end in death.
What about you, my friend? Every one of us is on a journey and the burden of choosing the way rests with each of us. Every way of man ends with death with one exception: The way through Jesus Christ Who chose the cross to bear the judgment of your sins, died, was buried and rose from the dead on the third day. His invitation to you is this:
John 14:6 – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Any way apart from confessing you are a sinner and believing Jesus Christ died for your sins and trusting Him as your Savior will end with death and hell.
Romans 10:9-10 – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Copyright 2015 – Travis D. Smith
* Please accept my apology for the absence of “Heart of a Shepherd” daily devotionals this week. I had the joy of a brief trip to Detroit for a board meeting with my brethren of Baptist World Mission.