Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 10:25, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
American Standard Version
When the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more; But the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
World English Bible version
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.
Proverbs 10:25 Meaning & Commentary
To understand this verse, we need to look at a few more scriptures to deepen our understanding of this. Matthew 7:24 – 27 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it”.
We see that the wise man in this scripture builds his life on the rock by applying The Word of God in his life. When the storms (or tempest) passed, the person’s house (life) was still standing. Unlike the wicked person, when the storm came, the house could not stand because it was built of sand and had no solid foundation. This is what Proverbs 10:25 is speaking about. The wicked is no more once the tempest has passed over their lives.
This does not necessarily mean that their lives are destroyed, but what is built and erected in wickedness cannot and will not stand forever. However, the righteous are established forever, which speaks of a life founded upon Christ, who is likened unto a rock in The Bible: 1 Corinthians 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
Application
How then can we practically apply Proverbs 10:25 to our lives?
The key idea of this verse is that storms and tempests will come, but only the righteous person and what they have built in righteousness will be able to stand and remain forever. Psalm 125:1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. The world is very shaky, and there are all kinds of challenges, temptations, and obstacles coming our way at any given moment in time. The only sure foundation is Jesus Christ himself.
Practically speaking, how do you build your life upon the rock? You take God’s Word, read it, and apply it. It is full of life instructions, wisdom, knowledge, and insight. 1 John 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. So, knowing God and doing His will is what stands the test of time. The world itself and all its passions and desires are all passing away. Jesus said that eternal life is to know him and the Father: John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Knowing God in this life does not only bring us great joy and fulfillment, but it also causes us to be able to stand firm when the storms of life come our way. Moreover, it bears fruit for all eternity, and we receive eternal life in Jesus Christ. We need to order our priorities to align ourselves correctly with growing in our knowledge of God and His Word. If we put our trust in the uncertainty of this world and what it offers, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and failure. But, when we put our trust in God and apply His Word in our lives, we have a sure foundation for success, and we will be established forever!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to you now in Jesus’ name, and I thank you for being the firm foundation in my life. I thank you that when I put my trust in you and apply your Word to my life, I cannot be shaken, but that you will cause me to be established in everything I do. I thank you for the gift of God through Christ Jesus and that my life is not only established in this lifetime but that I have eternal fruit because of Jesus Christ. I ask that you increase the hunger in my life for your Word so that I may bear fruit in all things. I ask this is Jesus’ name. Amen!
