Integrity Series

Proverbs 20:7 refer to the blessed result of a life of integrity. "A righteous man who walks in his integrity— How blessed are his sons after him" (NASB).

Usually a righteous man, a person who consistently behaves right and is blameless (morally whole; 2:7; 10:9), has children who are blessed. His children, seeing his example of integrity, are encouraged to be the same kind of people. Abraham is a prime example (Gen. 17: 1,2,7).

This challenge to integrity should be accepted by every Christian parent so that they might help establish a godly legacy.

Proverbs 28:6 again reveals the paradoxical success of integrity. "Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked [perverse] though he be rich" (NASB).

[This verse is almost identical to 19:1, except that there a fool’s "lips" (words) are perverse, whereas in 28:6 a rich man’s ways are said to be perverse (‘iqq, "twisted"). Perhaps this suggests that a perverse rich man is a fool.] It is better to be poor (r s, "destitute"; 28:3, 27) and honest (blameless, "morally whole"; 2:7, 21; 11:5; 28:10, 18) than to be rich and wicked. The Hebrew is clear enough to make its point effectively: Integrity outshines folly no matter what the economic status of the person may be. [This is the last of the 19 better . . . than proverbs (12:9)]. [Walvoord, & Zuck. P. 965.]

Proverbs 28:10 assures that the person of integrity ultimately prevails. "He who leads the upright astray in an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good" (NASB).

One who causes the righteous to sin will be trapped by his own devices (1:18; 26:27). In contrast, the blameless (28:6, 18) will be enriched. The wicked who lead others astray are suddenly trapped and die, but the righteous live on and receive their parents’ inheritance. [Mt 6:33; Heb 6:12; 1 Pet 3:9]. See 1 Peter 1:4.

Proverbs 28:18 reveals the deliverance that results from a life of integrity. "He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, but he who is crooked will fall all at once" (NASB).

A blameless life (walk) brings safety and salvation (1:33; 3:23; 18:10; 28:26), but a person whose ways are perverse or hypocritical (from ‘qa, "to twist"; the adjective ‘iqq in v. 6; 2:15) will suddenly fall. [Similar statements are given in 10:9; 28:10.] The crooked may seem to be have earthy advantages such as riches and success yet it is but shadow and vanity. Those who walk with the presence of God, in the light of His Word will at length find sanctification and eternal reward. The walk of conscious integrity will deliver us from the fool’s gold of earth and lead us into the way of God’s mercy and grace.

Proverbs 29:10 contrasts the concern for life of the violent with men of integrity. "Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, but the upright are concerned for his life" (NASB).

Honest people are hated by the aggressive violent, [who would prefer killing the honest so they could not testify against the wicked in court]. Isn’t this what Cain did to his brother Abel (Gen. 4:9)? [Again, integrity is often translated "blameless" (28:6, 10, 18)].