1. Here Solomon states that wicked men are overthrown.

a. This passage seems to be connected to the previous proverb.

b. The wicked in vs.6 are men who use words to “lie in wait” for others.

c. Lie in wait implies an ambush. The wicked use their mouths to set traps for others… to harm people with their words.

d. They are pictured in vs. 6 as a bloodthirsty animal, just waiting to ambush and pounce on their prey.

e. Wicked men try to overthrow others.

2. Next we are told that the very men who attempt to overthrow others, are themselves overthrown!

a. “The wicked are overthrown.” These wicked men are the same as the wicked in the previous verse… the words of the wicked.

b. Those who attempt to overthrow others will be overthrown themselves.

c. This is a principle repeated many times in various ways in the book of Proverbs.
• Prov. 26:27 – Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
• Prov. 28:10 – Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit:
• Ps. 7:14-16 – the wicked stir up all kinds of trouble for others, but eventually, it will fall upon their own head.
• Ps. 9:15 – The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
• Ps. 57:6 – They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves.
• Ecc. 10:8-9 – He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

3. Overthrown: turned over; upturned; reversed; retired; tumbled… etc.

a. The wicked shall not stand forever.

b. Their wicked plans to overthrow and harm others will not go on forever.

c. Eventually, they themselves will be overthrown: reversed; tumbled; turned upside down…

d. Example: Esther 7:10 – they hanged Haman on the very gallows he built for Mordecai! The entire situation—which looked so bleak and impossible for the Jews—was completely reversed overnight!

e. God is able to overthrow the evil plans of wicked men… and reverse hopeless situations… and He doesn’t need decades to do it either!

4. Why is it beneficial to look up so many passages emphasizing this truth?

a. Because we need to be convinced from Scripture—or perhaps refreshed concerning this truth… that the wicked aren’t getting away with anything!

b. Think about the world our kids are growing up in…

• People have been driving airplanes into buildings…
• Anthrax being spread through the mail…
• Buildings and ships being blown up…
• Shoe bombs in airplanes…
• Suicide bombers…
• Sexual perverts and kidnappers…
• School shootings…
• Nations which hate us are secretly planning weapons of mass destruction… chemical and hideous biological weapons…
• Many nations hold anti-American rallies—burning the flag… shouting death to America… calling us the big Satan…
• Snipers randomly shooting people…terrorizing our cities…
• Paul’s description of the last days as “perilous times” certainly fits our day and age.

c. There are no shortages of wicked men who are out to overthrow us… to do us and our children harm.
• This has got to have a serious, adverse effect on our young people growing up in today’s climate.
• Kids don’t have the skills necessary to process all this… to put things into perspective…
• Young people (as older people too!) need to KNOW and to be REMINDED that wicked men who seek to do harm to others… who lie in wait to shed blood… who seek to overthrow others… will THEMSELVES be overthrown!
• Young people need to know that there is an END to wickedness. It will not go on forever.
• Job 20:5 – the triumphing of the wicked is short…
• And evil men eventually will be brought to justice.
• The wicked ARE going to be overthrown…
• Even if some evil men escape judgment in this life—none will escape the judgment of God.

d. In light of the perilous times in which we live, it is imperative that kids know that God is still on His throne… and that wicked men will NOT get away with murder. They WILL be overthrown one day…

e. Knowing this brings a sense of finality to evil… it brings a sense of justice… and puts a little rhyme and reason into a world that otherwise seems so chaotic and out of control.

f. God is STILL ruling the universe. There is no chaos in the heavenly places.

g. In God’s good time, all wicked men will be overthrown… and ultimately, brought to justice.

h. Prov. 11:21 – no matter how many of them there are, they shall NOT be unpunished!

i. Ps. 37:35-36- the wicked might seem to be strong and invincible, but in time, they will come to naught.

j. Ex. 15:9-11 – God overthrows the wicked by merely blowing upon them! (Context here = Red Sea)
• Cf. 10:25 – again, the same thought.
• God sends a wind and blows over the wicked. They may seem strong—but are easily brought to nothing by God.

k. Knowing that and relying on it will greatly aid in bringing rest to an otherwise anxious soul… whether that anxious soul might be your 10 year old son—or YOU yourself…