A. The Wicked Messenger

1. Wicked: criminal; guilty; guilty of sin or guilty of a crime…

2. Messenger:

a. Translated angel 111 times; messenger 98 times

b. It refers to a messenger, representative, or ambassador… one who informs or announces… or proclaims.

c. It is used of both men and angels—of men in this proverb.

d. In ancient times (before telephones, email, and cell phones), messengers played a much more important role.

e. Because virtually everyone has a cell phone, we have instant access to almost anyone on the planet—24-7! But obviously, that was not always the case.

f. We even have instant messenger on the Internet—so that we can instantly communicate with MANY people at the same time…

g. In ancient times, messages often took a long time to reach their destination… weeks… months… even years… as long as it took for the camel to get there—or the pony express.

h. Messengers were sent with valuable information… and information can be critical—for businesses, for countries at war, for interpersonal relationships, etc…

i. The application of this proverb probably takes on a little different shape in the modern world, but it is STILL a valuable principle—and still has many valid applications for us today.

3. The messenger is defined in the proverb in three ways:

a. The meaning of the term wicked (crime…)

b. The mischief into which he falls…

c. He is seen as the opposite of the faithful messenger… hence, he is unfaithful.

4. This messenger is wicked…

a. He is sent on a mission… but some sort of wickedness arises…

b. The wickedness arises because of his CHARACTER.

c. This proverb is really about a man’s character… and hence, the real heart of the principle is just as valid today as ever—though the area of application may change a bit.

d. This messenger is wicked, falls into mischief, and is unfaithful, not because of circumstances, but because of his character… because of the kind of man he is.

e. Solomon is warning us in this proverb about different KINDS of men… different characters…

f. The proverb is about betrayed trust… a man trusted to deliver a message and falls into mischief along the way.

g. The application today could be made to anyone HIRED to do a job… to perform a service… to deliver goods… to represent a firm, a country, or a church… anyone who is trusted with a job to do…

h. When appointing a man to a position of trust CHARACTER counts!
• We used to hear during the presidency of President Clinton that character didn’t matter… as long as the job gets done.
• Solomon implies here that it DOES matter.
• Solomon implies that the quality of a man’s character affects the quality of job…

5. The wicked messenger falls into mischief…

b. Mischief: evil; distress; misery; injury; calamity; pertaining to that which is not morally pure.
• This is a broad term which encompasses all kinds of trouble… hurt… calamity… immorality… sin.

c. Falls: Dict. Of Biblical Languages: fall, i.e., have an object go from a higher position to a lower position, often with the implication of being out of control in relation to the situation.
• The wicked messenger was put into a pretty high position—a position of trust… by whoever sent him…hired him…
• But he fell from that position to a lower position…
• This implies that the fall was self inflicted and by design… not an accident.
• Falling into mischief isn’t like catching a cold. It involves the will… especially when Solomon describes the character of this man as “wicked.”

6. Possible WAYS in which he falls into mischief…

a. Perhaps he is to deliver some goods—and steals some of those goods.

b. Perhaps the hired messenger proves to be a sluggard. (Prov. 10:26)
• Here Solomon states that he is an irritation to the one who sent him… or hired him.
• If a person is hired to do a job and never seems to get around to doing his duties, it irritates like vinegar on teeth or smoke in the eyes.
• Who wants a messenger who causes irritation rather than helps?
• When the president sends an ambassador to Iraq to help stabilize the region and provide security for our troops, I want him doing his job. Don’t you?!!
• When the Sunday school superintendent assigns a class to a teacher, he expects the teacher to do his/her duty and study the word… pray… and show up on time prepared to perform the ministry assigned!
• When people sign up to bring a dish to a church function and don’t bring what they signed up for—it is an irritation to those in charge.
• When an employee is hired to deliver the company’s mail and packages, and out of laziness, they are continually late, it is an irritation.
• When a job is to be done—and the wicked messenger doesn’t do his job—no one is pleased.

d. Prov. 25:19 – confidence in an unfaithful man is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.
• A broken tooth—try biting into a piece of meat with a broken tooth… it HURTS!
• Try taking a step on a foot that is out of joint—it HURTS!
• Don’t BE that kind of person… don’t HIRE that kind of person… don’t place your TRUST that kind of person… that is the reason for the warning here.

e. There are lots of possible scenarios in which a messenger / worker could commit a crime or sin… or make mischief.
• Perhaps he is to deliver a private message and does not keep it private…
• Perhaps he to deliver a message for the government, but works for a foreign government as a spy…
• Perhaps he is hired to deliver goods for a company, and instead tosses them in the dumpster…
• A new employee is hired and all he does is stir up trouble.
• A new deacon, or Sunday school superintendent, or pastor is put into a position… and instead of carrying out their ministry, they fall into mischief… create problems and controversy…

7. The warning: if you hire a wicked messenger or worker… if you entrust a responsibility into the hands of an unreliable man… if you are counting on a man with a flawed character to deliver a message or perform a service, expect trouble! Count on it! Wicked messengers fall into mischief.