The proverb here is a prophecy for “will be destroyed” and “will flourish” are future tense. Just when will the prophecy be fulfilled? One clue is the nature of the dwelling for the wicked and for the upright. The wicked’s dwelling is a house in all English translations. The upright’s dwelling is a tent in all English translations. One is a permanently located expensive home, the other a mobile modest tent. Strange then it is for Solomon who built an expensive palace for himself and another for his Egyptian wife to write this proverb prophecy. Surely there is more to this prophecy than a quick reading will reveal.
The author of Hebrews wrote, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10) The heart, mind, and faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were aware of and believed in a future inheritance that would flourish. So they lived in tents.
Hebrews continues, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.” (Hebrews 11:13-14)
Jesus before his arrest, death, and resurrection gave his disciples direction concerning when this proverb prophecy will come true. He said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:36-39) Until the prophecy is fulfilled I am to live by faith, my heart a tabernacle for God.
