THE END OF THE WICKED

The key words in this phrase are "end" and "wicked". "End" means an outcome, conclusion, bringing to a final point or termination of existence.

"Wicked" means evil, morally bad in principle or practice, mischievous, unpleasant, dreadful, ill-natured or sinful. The end of the wicked could also mean, the outcome of someone  who is evil or mischievous.

Some of the characteristics of the wicked are:-

• They delight in evil, do evil at free will and hurt others with no remorse.
• They have no fear of the Lord, they are merciless and they take God's grace for granted.
• The word of God has no impact in their life.
• Their mouth is full of lies and threats.
• They borrow and do not repay.
• They oppress, extort and shed innocent blood.
• They earn deceptive wages, amass wealth unrighteously and their heart is set on dishonest gain.

What does the Bible say about the wicked?

• Job 8:22b - "The dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought."
• Job11:20 - "But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost."
• Job15:21b - "In prosperity the destroyer shall come upon the wicked."
• Job18:5a & 6b - "Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine."
• Ps 7:11b - "God is angry with the wicked everyday."
• Ps 34:21a - "Evil shall slay the wicked."
• Pro 10:24a - "What the wicked dread will overtake them."
• Pro 11:21a - "Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished."
• Pro 12:21b - "But the wicked have their fill of trouble."
• Ecc 8:1- "But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God."
• Isa 3:11 - "Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done."

Brethren, just a few of what the Bible says about the wicked are written above and note that the word of God stands for ever. You are admonished to not toe the path of the wicked because disaster is upon them and everyday God is angry with them. The Bible says woe unto them, so have nothing to do with them.

 

Let us consider some examples of the wicked.

JEZEBEL. 1 Kings 16- 2 Kings 9. She was a Phoenician princess from Tyre married to king Ahab of Samaria. She was a Baal worshiper. She had a dominant influence on Ahab that she persuaded him to abandon Yahweh,  God of Israel and to establish the religion of Baal in Israel. As soon as she became the queen, King Ahab built a sanctuary for Baal in the heart of Israel and she led Ahab to worship Baal instead of Yahweh. Her desire was to convert the people of Israel to her own religion and turn them to idol worshipers. To achieve her aim,  she influenced the killing of many prophets. She also threatened to kill Prophet Elijah but for God.  Ahab condoned her evil influence on religious policies and her  principal role behind arbitrary execution. 1 Kings 21:25 reads, "There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols." 

She also influenced Ahab negatively to forcefully appropriate Naboth's land, and to kill him. Close to Ahab's palace was Naboth's vineyard and Ahab requested for the land with an option to give Naboth another vineyard or pay for the worth. But Naboth did not agree to both options for he said it was the inheritance of his ancestors. Ahab went home sullen and angry and would not eat. Jezebel being aware of the reason why Ahab was sullen promised him that she would get Naboth's land for him. How? 1 Kings 21:8-10, "Jezebel said, Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'II  get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city with him." 

She wrote, "proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite and have them bring charges that he cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death." The elders and nobles did as Jezebel directed in the letters she wrote.  1 Kings 21:14-15, "Then they sent word to Jezebel: "Naboth has been stoned to death." As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead."  And Ahab went to take possession of Naboth's  vineyard.

Jezebel's wickedness was unfathomable. The Bible referred to her as a cursed woman; 2 Kings 9:34. And of course her end was an unpleasant one. And concerning Jezebel, the  LORD says "Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel." 1 Kings 21:23. Jezebel was thrown down through the window by some eunuchs and some of her blood spattered the wall and horses  tramped upon her. She could not be buried because only her skull, feet and hands were found. So Jezebel came to a ruinous end. The Bible in 2 Kings 9: 22 says Jezebel's whoredoms and witchcraft are so many that there could be no peace in Israel. Also in verse 32 she was referred to as a cursed woman. Not only was Jezebel's end calamitous, her three children did so much evil that their end was also disastrous.  Ahab, her husband, was not spared in the calamity that befell her.

Brethren, you are admonished to enter not the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, to avoid a disastrous end. The Bible in Num 23:10b says, "Let me die the death of the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), And let my end be like his!" It was not so for  Jezebel, she did not experience the death of the righteous so her end was  disastrous.

 

HERODIAS. Mark 6:14-29. Herodias was married to Philip the brother of King Herod of Galilee. Herod was having an affair with Herodias and this made her to divorce Philip for King Herod who was still married to his first wife. John the Baptist rebuked him for this act and he said, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." But this did not go well with both Herod and Herodias.  Herodias thus nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a holy man. Perhaps Herodias was waiting for an opportune time to strike. Herod gave orders that John be arrested, bound and put in prison for the sake of  Herodias. On King Herod's birthday, he gave a banquet and invited high officials, military commanders and leading men of Galilee. Herodias's daughter came in and danced and she pleased Herod and his guests. Herod was so pleased that he asked the girl to ask for anything and the king promised to give whatever she asked for. The girl went to Herodias, her mother and said, "What shall I ask for?" Of course the opportune time for Herodias came to avenge John. She answered her daughter, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried into the king with the request: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter." So the king immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and it was presented to her and she gave it to Herodias her mother. Wickedness of the highest order!

Brethren, Herodias a wicked and an adulterous woman, spent her time in the palace planning how she would avenge John and have him killed. She could not ask her daughter to ask for something else other than the head of John. What a bad influence on her daughter. Also she influenced Herod badly that all he did to his brother Philip was because of her.

How did Herodias end? Herod lost his kingdom, he was banished and he went on exile. Herodias went to join him in exile. No further news was heard about them. But history has it that she fell on frozen ice, perished and died unsung. Her daughter died the same way she died.

 

HAMAN. Esther 2-9. King Xerxes of Susa needed to replace Queen Vashti who disobeyed his orders and arrangement was made by king's personal attendants with commissioners in all the provinces of Susa. Among the virgins brought was Hadassah also known as Esther, a Jew brought up by her uncle Mordecai as his own daughter - having lost both parents. Esther won the heart of the king and became the queen. While Esther was undergoing the beauty treatment, Mordecai her uncle walked back and front to find out how Esther was fairing and he was always sitting at the king's gate. It  was there he heard about the plan of the two officers of the king who planned to assassinate the king. He told Esther who reported to the king. These two officers were impaled on poles while the record of this good deed was recorded for Mordecai. After the events, the king honoured Haman one of his officials by elevating him. Consequently, all the royal officials at the King's gate knelt down and paid him honour except Mordecai. The royal officials challenged him and they eventually reported him to Haman. Haman was enraged by Mordecai's attitude and having learnt that he was a Jew, he planned to destroy him, all his people and all the Jews in the kingdom of Xerxes. 

Haman reported to the king and fabricated a story thus, "There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the King's laws; it is not in the King's best interest to tolerate them, let  a decree be issued to destroy them, I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king's administrators for the royal treasury."  The king bought his idea and asked him to do as he pleased except that the king asked him to keep his money. Haman was so desperate to destroy the Jews and was ready to pay the people who will carry out the assignment for him all because Mordecai did not bow down to honour him as others did. He summoned all the satraps, province governors and the nobles. He gave orders and letters were written and sealed in the name of the king with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews - young and old, women and children on a single day. The letters were distributed in the whole of Susa. There was great mourning among the Jews and Mordecai could not be comforted for he was in great distress. Esther learnt about the plan against the Jews and Mordecai pleaded with Esther to beg the king for mercy since Haman gave the impression that it was the king's wish to kill, destroy and annihilate the Jews in Susa. Esther declared three days of fasting for her people with herself in preparation to meet the king.

Esther in Est 4:16 says, "I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." After the fasting, Esther in her royal robes appeared before the king and she was honoured; the king asked for her request and it was granted. She requested that the king and  Haman should come for a banquet that day. Haman felt so honoured that he was the only one the queen invited to join the king and the banquet was to follow the second day. Haman was infuriated on his way out from the banquet on the first day seeing Mordecai at the king's gate as he was the only one who did not bow to honour him again. Haman got home to inform his wife and friends and they advised him to make a pole of  fifty cubits and impale (nail) in preparation to get Mordecai killed. He was delighted with the suggestion and set up the pole in his house. But the very night of the first day of the banquet the king could not sleep, he ordered for the book of Chronicles. It was discovered that Mordecai had not been honoured and recognized for exposing the plan of the two attendants who planned to assassinate the king. So I would say God opened a book of remembrance for Morcedia at the appointed time. Haman too came in at the appropriate time to be used even though it was the second day's  banquet he came for. The king asked him, "what should be done for the man the king delights to honour?" Of course, since Haman thought no one else except himself was deserving of such honour,  he gave the best recommendation. The king asked him to go at once and do to Mordecai all he suggested and not to neglect anything.

Haman robed Mordecai  in king's regalia and led him on horseback through the city streets. After the ceremony, Haman came to join the king for the banquet and there Queen Esther told the king every plot of Haman against the Jews. The king got up in rage and said, "Impale him and Haman was impaled on the pole he set up for Mordecai. He fell in to his own net. That same day the king gave Haman's estate to Queen Esther and the signet ring reclaimed from Haman to Mordecai. Mordecai became second in command to the king, the position Haman occupied before he was impaled. Esther appointed Mordecai over Haman's estate. Henceforth, Jews in Susa became free and Mordecai became prominent in the palace. Haman's joy was short lived, he ended shamefully, died unsung and his ten sons were also impaled.

Brethren, considering what the Bible in Pro 11:21a says that the wicked will not go unpunished and considering the end of the three characters studied, they all got their due and they did not go unpunished. You are hereby admonished not to be wicked and not to have anything to do with them otherwise you may share the calamities of the wicked. Do not enter the path of the wicked and never go in their way and do not toe their line.You are enjoined to not be envious of them; for their prosperity and everything about them are temporal and their end is disastrous.  Be aware that the wicked will be completely destroyed and their offspring will perish as well. Ps 37:28b.  Also, the Bible admonishes us to speak out to dissuade the wicked from doing evil if you have them around you or know them.

However, there is a way out for the wicked who is ready to repent while still alive since there is no repentance but judgement after death. For God has no pleasure  in the death of the wicked. The Bible in Eze 18: 23 says, "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wickedly? Declares the Sovereign  LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" God gives room and chance for the wicked to forsake their ways, turn to Him and He will have mercy on them, for He will freely pardon. Isa 55:7.

How does the wicked forsake his ways?

• Admit that you are wicked and sinful.
• Confess your sins.
• Repent and ask God to forgive you.
• Be not wicked and sin no more.
• Give your life to Jesus and return to God.
• Since God has promised to have mercy, he will have mercy on you and freely pardon you.
• Free yourself from all guilt.
• But don't take his grace for granted.

Prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your word concerning the wicked. Ps 139: 23-24. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting".  If there is any wickedness in my life, please, forgive me. I wholeheartedly forsake all the evil I have done. I repent all and I plead for mercy. Henceforth I depart totally from all forms of wickedness. I want to end well and I pray to die the death of the righteous. Grant me that grace O LORD. For in Jesus's mighty name I prayed. Amen.