Pearls From Proverbs – Chapter Eleven
We will now look at Proverbs chapter eleven:
THE RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED COMPARED
1 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight. Proverbs 11:1 (NASB)
God always expects His people to be honest in their dealings. How many of you would get upset if you went to the store and bought a pound of flour and yet you were charged for a pound and half. I know that I would! I should get what I pay for – I expect the scales it be right. God delights in honesty.
2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 (NASB)
Be careful where your pride lies. If you think you are humble – chances are – you are not. Remember – pride comes before the fall. Seek the humble place for there is much honor there. An old saying says: “Lowly souls become full of wisdom as the low place becomes full of water.”
3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them. Proverbs 11:3 (NASB)
The contrast of the upright and the treacherous is great. Never the two shall meet – for they go in opposite directions.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 11:4 (NASB)
It has been said that there is no U-Haul attached to a Hearse. You can not take your wealth with you when you die – money will not buy you into heaven. In fact Jesus warns many times about putting wealth before godliness. Here is another warning. Seek righteousness for it delivers from death – eternal death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. Proverbs 11:5 (NASB)
The road of the wicked is full of potholes. The road of the righteous is smooth.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed. Proverbs 11:6 (NASB)
Greed is a powerful emotion. In trying to gain much by greed – many times all is lost.
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of strong men perishes. Proverbs 11:7 (NASB)
Hope is a powerful incentive. A person without hope will perish. Eternal life is reserved for those who know Christ. Eternal death is reserved for those who do not know Him. With death the wicked will perish – forever.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, But the wicked takes his place. Proverbs 11:8 (NASB)
The contrasting two paths in life are intended to be applied universally to all people in all circumstances. God's people are not excluded from problems or struggles. If a person follows God's wisdom, however, God can rescue them from trouble. But a wicked person will fall into their own traps. Even if good people suffer, they can be sure they will ultimately be rescued from eternal death. In this is our hope.
9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered. Proverbs 11:9 (NASB)
You are what you speak. The mouth can be used either as a weapon or as a tool. You can either hurt someone or build them up. Sadly, it is often easier to destroy than to build, and most people have received more destructive comments than those that build up. Your words will make a difference. Will they be weapons for destruction or tools for construction?
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting. Proverbs 11:10 (NASB)
The country is blessed, where there are godly men and they ought to rejoice when the wicked are taken away. The last may be a reason for the first. Together, they set forth the relative moral worth of good and bad men.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. Proverbs 11:11 (NASB)
Every person has an impact on the world around them – even what we say. If we speak words of righteousness we will build up. If we speak words of unrighteousness we will destroy. That is why Jesus said:
"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:36-37 (NASB)
12 He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent. Proverbs 11:12 (NASB)
If you cannot speak any good of your neighbor it is better to keep silent. Don’t you know that all have fallen short in some form or fashion. We call could use a little grace and mercy.
It is better not to speak at all than to speak evil of someone.
13 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. Proverbs 11:13 (NASB)
A person who goes around telling on others – more than likely will go around telling on you. Faithfulness is shown not only in action but in speech – or silence – as the case may be.
14 Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory. Proverbs 11:14 (NASB)
We all tend to be biased in one way or another. A good leader will listen to wise advisers. One person's perspective and understanding is severely limited. A good leader knows that they do not have all the facts and that they may be blinded by bias, emotions, or wrong impressions. To be a wise leader at home, at church, or at work, seek the counsel of others and be open to their advice. Seek out Godly wisdom. Listen to people of faith. Read God’s word. Then, after considering all the facts, make your decision.
15 He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, But he who hates being a guarantor is secure. Proverbs 11:15 (NASB)
Our Lord Jesus Christ became a guarantor for us when we were strangers. But He knew full well our circumstances and what the consequence would be. He became a guarantor on purpose to pay the our whole debt and set us free. He did not become bankrupt nor did He fail. But:
“He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NASB)
Be aware to become responsible for another person’s debt has its consequences and for the most part it is not the wisest thing to do. I am thankful that Jesus stepped up to pay for my sin – but I am also aware that He knew full well what was required when He did that for me. He gave His life that I may live – and that is what He did for you too. “The wages of sin is death” – but Jesus died that you and I may live.
16 A gracious woman attains honor, And ruthless men attain riches. Proverbs 11:16 (NASB)
Matthew Henry says of this verse: “A pious and discreet woman will keep esteem and respect, as strong men keep possession of wealth.”
17 The merciful man does himself good, But the cruel man does himself harm. Proverbs 11:17 (NASB)
No person can show an act of mercy without benefiting their own soul. But a person who acts in cruelty will only harm themselves.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. Proverbs 11:18 (NASB)
Sinners harm themselves. Even though they earn “wages” – they are “deceptive wages”. Sin brings pleasure for the moment – but not of eternity. But “he who sows righteousness” will reap righteousness – for we reap what we sow.
“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8 (NASB)
19 He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death. Proverbs 11:19 (NASB)
The path you take determines the destination. Be careful as to which path you are on.
20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, But the blameless in their walk are His delight. Proverbs 11:20 (NASB)
It is important for us to know what the Lord loves and what He hates – for then we can order our ways.
21 Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered. Proverbs 11:21 (NASB)
On this verse we have a variety of translations. The King James Version says:
“Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.” Proverbs 11:21 (KJV)
The verse speaks true – the wicked will not go unpunished nor will the righteous go undelivered.
22 As a ring of gold in a swine's snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. Proverbs 11:22 (NASB)
Not everyone who looks good is pleasant to live with or to work with. While taking care of outer beauty is not a bad thing – inner beauty is much more important.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. Proverbs 11:23 (NASB)
Let us remember that there are none righteous (Romans 3:10) – but if your heart hates sin – you are on the right path. Our desire should always be – to do that which is good in God’s sight.
24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. 25 The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24-25 (NASB)
These two verses present a paradox: We become richer by being generous. The world says in order to be rich we must hold on to as much as possible – but God blesses those who freely give of their possessions, time, and energy. When we give, God supplies us with more so that we can give more. In addition, giving helps us gain a right perspective on our possessions. We realize they were never really ours to begin with – they were given by God to be used to help others. What then do we gain by giving? Freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others, and God's approval. Jesus said:
"Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” Luke 17:33 (NASB)
Heavenly economy is not like that of the world.
26 He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. Proverbs 11:26 (NASB)
Hoarding has never been encouraged in the Bible – but wise business transactions have. There is nothing wrong with making a profit – but to take advantage of the poor or cheating people is sinful.
27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him. Proverbs 11:27 (NASB)
Two things are present in this verse.
1. Those who seek to do good in the world get themselves beloved both with God and man.
2. Those that seek to do mischief are preparing ruin for themselves.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. Proverbs 11:28 (NASB)
As leaves in autumn, which are withered and dry is he who puts his trust in riches. It is not your bank account that will save you. But if your true riches are stored in heaven you will be alive and green – full of leaves and laden with fruit. Where are your riches stored? The Bible says:
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NASB)
29 He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, And the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted. Proverbs 11:29 (NASB)
One of the greatest resources God gives us is the family. Families provide acceptance, encouragement, guidance, and counsel. Bringing trouble on your family – is foolish because you cut yourself off from all they provide. Families should strive to help each other. They should strive for healing, communication, and understanding. Our homes should be our sanctuary.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls. Proverbs 11:30 (NASB)
A wise person is a model of a meaningful life. They are like a tree that attracts people to its shade. A wise person's sense of purpose attracts others who want to know how they, too, can find meaning. Gaining wisdom yourself can be the first step in leading people to God. We are all pilgrims on a journey – make sure the path you are on leads to God and be willing to point others in that direction.
31 If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, How much more the wicked and the sinner! Proverbs 11:31 (NASB)
Contrary to popular opinion, no one sins and gets away with it. The righteous are rewarded for their faith; the wicked are punished for their sins. Don't think for a moment that "it won't matter" or "nobody will know" or "we won't get caught". God always knows – no sin can be hidden. There will be a day when all will stand before the King of kings and Lord of lords and there will be a judgment. The Bible says:
“For the time has come for the judging, starting with the church of God; but if it makes a start with us, what will be the end of those who are not under the rule of God? And if it is hard for even the good man to get salvation, what chance has the man without religion or the sinner?” 1 Peter 4:17-18 (BBE)
