Proverbs 11:8

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about the deliverance of the righteous:

Proverb 11:8

The righteous is delivered from trouble, But the wicked takes his place.

This chapter of Proverbs is about the righteous.   The righteous are favored by God.   They are blessed by God.   And, as we can see in above proverb, their place in the unfolding of "trouble" is taken by the wicked.   But, before we break this verse apart it might be wise to talk about the concept of the "righteous."   Even though this is the Old Testament, you can't change the method by which someone is "declared" righteous.   Righteousness (or, justification) is by faith in both Testaments.   So, Solomon is not talking about being "self" righteous.  Nor can he be talking about righteousness by works.   He is talking about those who are truly righteous and the only way to be truly righteous is to have faith in God that He will justify you.   Once we know who is truly righteous, then, and only then, can we appreciate the above Proverb.  When we are declared righteous by God we can praise God that we will be delivered from any trouble (Psalm 45).  But, not only are we delivered, but the "wicked" actually take our place, or, literally in the Hebrew, they "enter" into trouble.     Let's rejoice that God saves the righteous from trouble.   The wicked are not as fortunate.  They may delay trouble, but they will never avoid it.   The righteous are cared for by God.  The wicked are judged by God.   The judgment of the righteous is taken care of by Christ.