Avoiding Evil
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.
This proverb addresses the need to avoid potential problems before they happen. In other words, this is developing the life skill of foresight.
For example, if we are outside when a lightning storm begins, we will seek shelter—because we foresee the potential danger of being struck by lightning. But those who ignore danger will get hurt.
This piece of wisdom also includes planning ahead so that potential problems don’t happen. The patriarch Joseph is an excellent example of this principle in action. Rather than allow Egypt and the surrounding regions to be adversely affected by the famine he knew was coming, Joseph was able to lead an effort to save enormous amounts of grain to sustain the population during the lean years (Genesis 41:48-49, 55-57). His foresight saved many lives!
As Christians, we should prepare now so we won’t be punished by troubles that will come.
God has warned about unprecedented troubles that will come on the world in the near future. Those who strive to obey God can be “counted worthy to escape all these things” (Luke 21:34-36).
To learn more about the coming evil, read our article “Great Tribulation.”
Tomorrow on the Daily Bible Verse Blog: “The Word Is God.”
