Proverbs 11:18-19 The wicked works a deceitful work: but to him that sows righteousness shall be a sure reward. As righteousness tends to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
‘Deceitful work’ [Hebrew: sheqer] falsehood; lie (11:18; 20:17; 31:30). Employment, pleasure, and possessions acquired by deceit may be sweet at the time, but afterwards they become bitter disappointments (20:17).
God tries the hearts that are so deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9-10) and the reins, the innermost mind and feelings (Job 16:13; 19:27; Ps. 16:7; 26:2; 73:21; 139:13; Prov. 23:16; Isa. 11:5; Jer. 11:20; 12:2; 17:10; 20:12; Rev. 2:23).
Four examples of deceitful workers: Pharaoh (Exo. 1:20); The Gibeonites (Jos. 9:4-21); Absalom (2Sam. 15:1-37); Caiaphas (Joh. 11:49-50).
‘Sows righteousness shall be a sure reward.’ Five examples of reward by right sowing: Noah (Gen. 6:22; 7:1; Heb. 11:7); Abraham (Heb. 6:15); Joseph (Genesis 37-41); Simeon (Luke 2:25-32) and Paul (1Cor. 9:1; 2Tim. 4:7-8).
‘As righteousness tends to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death.’ Righteousness promotes health and long life (Ps. 91:1-16; 1Pet. 3:10-11), but wickedness shortens life.
Living the Word 