The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. (Psalm 1:4, ESV)
Our verse of the week this week is Psalm 1:4. It is the contrast of Psalm 1:1-3. In Psalm 1:3 we read about the man who delights in and meditates on the Law of the Lord.
The wicked have no time for the Word. They do not take it into consideration. They do what seems right with them. They do not consult the Lord. Because of this, they do not experience the blessing of the Lord.
The analogy of the chaff being blown away is a reference to the process of winnowing grain. Winnowing is a way to separate the chaff from the grain. The chaff the casing around the grain. Chaff is refuse and is not edible. So it is important to separate the chaff from the grain when harvesting.
When winnowing, grain would be repeatedly tossed into the air together with the chaff. As the chaff and grain are tossed into the air, the wind would blow the chaff away. The chaff is light compared to the grain which is heavy. The grain is not as easily blown by the wind and would land safely in the receptacle used for winnowing.
Next week we learn how the process of winnowing is related to judgment.
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