RR Psalm 37:20 Part 13

Shalom,

Psalm 37:20 For the wicked will perish, and the enemies of Adonai will be like the beauty of the fields—they will vanish—vanish like smoke.

Again, we have a word picture of evil.  This time, the wicked are perishing and vanishing like smoke.  Interestingly, these “enemies of Adonai” are also described in a simile, like “beauty of the fields.  Makes me want to ask the question, “In what way will these enemies of God be like ‘beauty of the fields?’”

To provide an answer, we need to study the Hebrew word translated as “beauty.”  This Shoresh is “Yaqar” (Yud-Quf-Resh).  While its various meanings are usually, “precious, rare, splendid, and weighty,” it can also mean fat.  When we put fat on the grill, it burns up into smoke, which is exactly how this subject verse ends.  Now the beginning seems to fit the end of the verse.  The enemies of God will sizzle like fat on a grill.  They will burn up into smoke and vanish.  Poof!

Some have misinterpreted this verse to support their false idea that sinners will not suffer for eternity in hell, but simply vanish.  They may vanish from this world, but the Scripture has plenty more to say about their condition for eternity.  Yeshua spoke of the final judgment like this… Matthew 25:41 Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Go away from Me, you cursed ones, into the everlasting fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.  And this from Revelation… Revelation 20:15  And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Let’s not be fooled by seducing doctrines.  There is a real place called hell, and real people are going there to be tormented for all eternity.  Remember Yeshua’s parable of Lazarus and the rich man found in Luke 16?  Luke 16:22b Then the rich man also died and was buried. 23 And from Sheol, as he was in torment, he raised his eyes. And he sees Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his side.

There is a “great gulf” between the joy of being in Yeshua’s presence for eternity and the torment of hell which is the eternal destiny of unrepentant sinners.  Choose God by following Yeshua through faith evidenced by obedience.  Choose a life of joy, peace and all the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22,23) both now and forever, today and every day.  Answer God’s call with “Yes and amen!”  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed15-Oct-2025 23rd of Tishrei, 5786
Simchat Torah
De 33:13-34:12 Ge 1:1-2:3  Nu 29:35-40[30:1]    Jos 1   Ps 1Mt 1    (Jas 1)