I thought this was an interesting verse to study today. It's interesting especially because it is different from some of the verses we've looked at before. More than once we've been told that here on earth, it may look like the scales are lopsided.
It may look like the wicked have the best of things --- that they prosper in spite of their sin. We've noted that the righteous are wealthy, and are prosperous in a different way --- that in due time, they will reap bountiful rewards for their pursuit of godliness and rejection of immorality.
That is all still true. But in this verse, Solomon is noting something that he must have seen in his lifetime, and we may see it sometimes, too. There are times when God in His wisdom will chasten the wicked in this mortal life, and bring them down "off their high horse" as my grandma used to say. And He may bless the righteous near those souls, and others who see it will acknowledge that their God is mighty, and that their lives in His service are just and happy. Then the wicked will know without a doubt that God has favored the righteous.
There are stories in the Scriptures of people (some wicked, some not so wicked) that have asked for the favors and prayers of the righteous. Kind of like they come to the gate and knock, and beg for the upright to help them. I think that sometimes they look inside the gate, and in spite of their wickedness, and their unbelief, they are attracted to what lies beyond the gate, and perhaps a little jealous. They may scoff, and mock, and taunt, but in the quiet, when no one else is around, they may think wistfully of how they'd like to choose differently, and go through that gate.
Lord, help me to be a light, to be a gate that is attractive, and doesn't put people off. Let my life with You be appealing to those who don't yet know You, and help me to be ready to tell them about Your grace.
