“The Curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked; but he blesseth the habitation of the just.”
Proverbs 3:33
The contrast between the sinner and the saint, affects us not only personally, but relatively. The curse or blessing of the Lord follows us to our homes. Shall we then envy the wicked, with his cup of earthly joy filled to the brim? The Curse of the Lord is in his house (Mal. ii.2) – “a curse that never cometh causeless.” (Chap. xxi. 2.) Let him think – ‘It is my Maker’s curse – how awful, that my being and my curse should come from the same sacred source’! It is not the impotent wishing of ill. Could we trace its deadly work, we should see the man wasting, withering, consuming under it. Observe “the roll in the house of the thief, and of the swearer – twenty cubits long” – a long catalogue of woes; “flying” – to mark its swiftness; “remaining in the midst of the house; consuming it even with the timbers and stones thereof.” (Zech. v.1-4.) Is this an idle dream? Surely – but for the blindness of the heart, the wicked would see the naked sword hanging by a hair over his head, or the awful “hand-writing upon the wall,” solemnly proclaiming – “There is no peace –saith my God – unto the wicked.” (Dan. v.5, 6. Isa. lvii. 21.) Vainly will the proud worm resist Ahab multiplied his house beyond all human average, as if to set at defiance the curse produced against it. Yet at ones stroke all were swept away. (i Ks. xxxi. 20-22. 2 Ks. x. 1-11.) Similar instances abundantly prove whose words shall stand –man’s or God’s. (Jer. xliv. 28.) “Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered? Who hath resisted his will?” (Job ix. 4. Rom. ix. 19.)
But bright is the sunshine of the just. Not only is the secret of the Lord with their souls, but his blessings on their habitation. And when he blesseth, who can reverse it? (Num. xxiii. 20. Job, xxxi. 29.) Many a homely cottage, tenanted by a child of Abraham shines more splendidly than the princely palace of the ungodly. An heir of glory dwells here. A family altar of prayer and praise, like clouds of blessings, temple of Jehovah. (Gen. xii. 8.) Promises of clouds of blessings, rest over it. God has been honoured, and God will honour. (2 Sam. vi. 11. Jer. xxxv. 18, 19. 2 Tim. i. 18.) “They that dwell under his shadow shall return.”
Is then my house under the curse or blessing of the Lord?
(Charles Bridges Proverbs 3:33)
