The Blessed & The Perverted Series

PROVERBS 10: 6-10

THE BLESSED AND THE PERVERTED [or the Blesser and the Perverter]

Here we have two characters -the wicked and the just- contrasted. They represent the two great classes of mankind. From their opposite characters, there springs an opposite way of living which leads to opposite destinies.

The righteous are blessed for they receive and obey God’s Word and therefore walk in safety and will be well remembered. The wicked bring about strife, hurt, and harm. Since they sought the downfall of others their remembrance and work will be cast down to rot in the end. The blessings or pervertings that come from man move them either to God’s blessed end or to their deserved destiny (CIT).

I. THE BLESSED RIGHTEOUS VERSES THE WICKED DECEIVER, 6-7.

II. THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE WORD VERSES THOSE WHO SPEAK THEIR WORDS, 8-10.

Verse 6 reveals that the wise good are blessed, and that the wicked are angered about it. "Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence."

The righteous man may face difficulties (John 16:33; Acts 16:22; 2 Tim. 3:12), yet he is abundantly compensated (28:20; Gen 49:26) because God pours blessings upon him. He is blessed by God and by true men, by God’s men. He is blessed in the earthly (Deut. 28:1-6; 1 Tim. 4:8) and blessed spiritually (Isa. 32:17) and blessed eternally (Ps. 3:8; Isa. 44:4-5; Mt. 5:3-12). His character is admired and his usefulness is appreciated. Heaven smiles on him. What he has he enjoys with a thankful heart. He is filled with the "peace of God which passes all understanding." He is blessed in himself and he blesses others.

Whereas a righteous person gives and receives blessings, it is different with the wicked. Violence overwhelms his mouth. [The same statement is made in verse 11.] Since the word for "overwhelms" can be translated "covers" (as it is in v. 12), the idea is either that his mouth conceals (NAS) or deceptively hides violence (niv), or that violence characterizes what he says. As Jesus stated, "The evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart" (Luke 6:45).

Verse 7 teaches that the righteous’s memory is honored, but the wicked’s is repulsive. "The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot."

Speaking of blessings and the righteous (v.6), even thinking about righteous people of the past can be a source of spiritual blessing. By contrast most people want to forget the wicked. Like their character, even their names are corrupt, rotting like a corpse.

Some are remembered for good, some are remembered for evil, and some are soon forgotten. No man wishes to be forgotten. We want our name to survive our death. No one wants their legacy to stink. We want to be mentioned with joy and gratitude. The memory of the holy wise will also be a holy influence. The remembrance of their virtues will be an ever multiplying seed. Though dead, like Abel they still continue to speak.

In the mid-1800s, Texas rancher Samuel Augustus MAVERICK refused to brand his cattle. When neighboring cowboys came upon a calf without a brand, they called it a "maverick." The word entered the English language and came to refer to a person who takes an independent stand and refuses to conform.

Other names have become words that describe a person’s character and behavior: Judas and Benedict Arnold both mean "traitor." A Jezebel is a perverter, and a Jonah runs from God. An Einstein is a genius, while a Solomon is a wise man.

Few of our names will become part of a language, but they signify who we are and how we have lived - today and for generations to come. Solomon said, "The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.

When we think of someone we know and admire, the words we usually associate with that person’s name are character traits we’d like to have as well. Honesty, generosity, and love often head the list. We see these in our Lord Jesus Christ, who allows us as Christians to bear His name. Today, the Lord wants to work in us to make our name one that points to Him. When others think of you, do they think of Jesus?

"I’d rather die than bring disgrace

Upon my Lord, His name debase;

So I will live my life each day

To honor Christ and walk His way." -Hess

II. THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE WORD VERSES THOSE WHO SPEAK THEIR WORDS, 8-10.

Verse 8 teaches us how to be wise and what will happen if we don’t receive the Word. "The wise of heart will receive commands, But a babbling fool will be ruined."