This type of admonition from God is a common one. He shows us what to avoid and then tells us exactly how to accomplish the task. Both parts of the admonition are dealing with content of the heart and mind. The way to get rid of the negative content was to displace it with positive content. In this case, replace envy of the prosperity of the evildoers with an envy of being in complete subjection to Almighty God. Notice the meaning brought fourth in commentaries on the first part of the admonition:
Envy Not Sinners:
Compare in Ps 37:1; 73:3; the feeling which looks half-longingly at the
prosperity of evil doers.
Ps 37:1
37:1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the
workers of iniquity.
Ps 73:3
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
(from Barnes Notes)
Let not thine heart envy sinners-in prosperity, so as to be tempted to imitate
their example (Ps 37:1; 73:3).
(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
Prov 23:17-18
Do not as they do; walk not in the way with them; use not the methods they take to enrich themselves, though they thrive by them.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New
Modern Edition)
There will be an end of the prosperity of the wicked, therefore do not envy them
(Ps 73:17); there will be an end of thy afflictions, therefore be not weary of
them, an end of thy services, thy work and warfare will be accomplished, perfect
love will shortly cast out fear, and thy expectation of the reward not only will
be not cut off, or disappointed, but it will be infinitely outdone. The
consideration of the end will help to reconcile us to all the difficulties and
discouragements of the way.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New
Modern Edition)
Even before God discusses our displacement of this negative type of envy, He
enumerates its elements. We are not to envy the evildoer. We are not to walk
in their ways. We are not to envy or to emulate the methods they use to enrich
themselves. Indeed we are not to look upon evil. He assures us by telling us
that their prosperity is short-lived and vain.
Be in fear of the Lord [continually]
We displace the envy of the sinner by envying our being in fear of the Lord
continually. Notice the meaning from the commentaries:
"Envy not sinners, but envy, emulate, the fear of the Lord."
(from Barnes' Notes)
But (be thou) (or, let thine heart be: from the first clause) in the fear of the
Lord all the day long-the antidote to envy of the prosperity of sinners. "All
the day long;" not by impulsive fits and starts; not following piety only so
long as it is attended with worldly success, nor deserting it when thou seest
difficulties in the way, and when prosperity seems to attend the wicked.
(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
Envy not sinners, envy much rather the fear of God, i.e., let thyself be moved
with eager desire after it when its appearance is presented to thee. This
proverb itself declares the fear of God to be of all things the most worthy of
being coveted.
(from Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament: New Updated Edition)
An excellent direction to maintain high thoughts of God in our minds at all
times: Be thou in the fear of the Lord every day and all the daylong. We must be
in the fear of the Lord as in our employment, exercising ourselves in holy
adorings of God, in subjection to his precepts, submission to his providences,
and a constant care to please him; we must be in it as in our element, taking a
pleasure in contemplating God's glory and complying with his will. We must be
devoted to his fear (Ps 119:38); and governed by it as our commanding principle
in all we say and do. All the days of our life we must constantly keep up an awe
of God upon our spirits, must pay deference to his authority, and have a dread
of his wrath. We must be always so in his fear as never to be out of it.
(from Matthew
Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition)
God is making it clear that constant and fervent focus on Him displaces all the
negative elements we encounter in our lives. Everything we do should be a glory
to God. Envying evildoers is clearly not bringing glory to God. It is quite
understandable that a firstfruit would eye such prosperity with some envy as
they look upon their own lives fraught with its trials and tribulations.
However, we are just sojourners in this temporary world. We must keep our eye
on God and the Kingdom when we will know and enjoy prosperity far above anything
that looks good in this world.
Instructions – Envy
not sinners. Be in fear of the Lord.
1) Envy not sinners.
2) Envy not their prosperity or the methods and ways they use to obtains such
prosperity.
3) Envy having a fervent fear of God
4) Meditate and covet His ways and methods.
5) Understand that the prosperity of the evildoer is vain and will disappear.
6) Understand that your reward is vastly greater than you could possibly know.
7) Keep your eye on the Kingdom of God and not this world.