Proverbs 21:12

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 house of the wicked and how the righteous ruler responds to their wealth:

Proverbs 21:12 (ESV)

The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;

he throws the wicked down to ruin.

When a Godly man sees the wicked and their storage of "things" they don't become envious ... or, at least, they shouldn't.   Solomon is giving us insight, here, into how a Godly man, in authority, will act when they "consider" the house of the wicked.  In Psalm 73, Asaph, at least for a moment, envied the sinner when he saw their prosperity.   He later came to his senses and that is what this proverb is telling us.   Although the truth that all righteous people should "consider" (observe for the purpose of understanding) the wicked for what they really are, should be a norm.    The real focus of this proverb is directed to the "Righteous One", the one in authority.   The judge or magistrate is not persuaded by the wealth of the wicked and their home of abundance.  The judge or magistrate who is truly righteous is only concerned about justice.  When wealth is not a factor and truth is, the wealthy and the poor are judged the same.   We need to remember that the wicked are wicked.  The Righteous Ruler is one who fulfills Romans 13.  They are in power for the punishment of the evil doer and for the praise of those who do good.   It is not the opposite way around.

Romans 13:3 (ESV)

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,