Category: Proverbs

The Righteous

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Proverbs 11:30-31 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. 

‘The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.’ The righteous produce eternal life for men by winning them to God through living a righteous life.

Twelve blessings of a righteous man: Sins are forgiven (Ps. 32:1, 5). Sins covered or atoned for (Ps. 32:1). Not charged with sin (Ps. 32:2). Freedom from sin. Mercy from God (Ps. 32:6). Not overwhelmed with sorrow. God as a hiding place (Ps. 32:7). Preservation from trouble. Compassed with songs of deliverance. Divine instruction (Ps. 32:8). Guidance from God. Compassed with mercy (Ps. 32:10).

‘Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.’ Both the righteous and the wicked will reap what they sow (Gal. 6:7-8). Quoted in 1Peter 4:18.

2Corinthians 9:6 warns that those who sow sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully and in verse 8 that God can make all grace abound toward us to always have sufficiency in all things. If this is not true of any believer he is coming short of gospel provision. Such grace is measured out according to the sowing (2Cor. 9:6). This is the law and there is no exception to the rule. That this is the cause of failure to reap is further proved in 2 Corinthians 9:9-10. If we sow seed we shall reap a harvest (2Cor. 9:10).

The Righteous Shall Flourish

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Proverbs 11:28 He that trusts in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 

‘But the righteous shall flourish as a branch.’ Seven acts of a righteous person: Delights in the Word of God (Ps. 1:2). Meditates in it day and night (Ps. 2:1-12). Consecrates to obey it (Ps. 1:1). Makes it his rule of life and conduct (Jas. 1:22-27). Makes it his standard of faith and religion (2Tim. 3:16-17). Reads it to gain knowledge and wisdom (Matt. 24:15; Eph. 3:4; Rev. 1:3). Feeds on it to grow spiritually (1Pet. 2:1-3; Rom. 10:17).

Five blessings of righteousness in Psalms 92:1-15: [1] They shall flourish like a palm tree (Ps. 92:12). In barren soil it is watered deep at the roots. The fruit of the palm provides a great part of the diet of the East. The stones are ground down for the camels; the leaves are made into baskets; the hard boughs or the strong leaves (1,8 to 2,4 metres long) are used to make fences; the threads of the leaves make ropes; and the wood makes building material or firewood. [2] They shall grow like the cedars of Lebanon, which live an extremely long time. Some are supposed to be 1,000 years old. They grow 24 to 30 metres tall and are 12 metres around the trunk. They express the ideas of majesty, durability, incorruptibility, and stability. [3] They shall flourish in the courts of God (Ps. 92:13). [4] They will still bring forth fruit in old age (Ps. 92:14). [5] They shall be fat (overflowing) and flourishing.

Flourish as a Branch

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Proverbs 11:28 He that trusts in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 

‘He that trusts in his riches shall fall.’ A failing trust – in Mark 10:24 we have Christ’s that those who trust in their riches will have a hard time to enter into the kingdom of God. Not because of God’s mercy, but their own reluctance to part with riches and use them for the glory of God and the good of others. It is hard for them to cease to “trust in riches” and rely upon God.

The dangers of coveting riches: Many temptations and snares of the devil; many foolish and hurtful lusts; destruction and perdition (1Tim. 6:9); the root of evil to grow; one to err from the faith; many sorrows (1Tim. 6:10); highmindedness and wrong trust (1Tim. 6:17).

Riches in Scripture are considered the cause of much sin and rebellion against God; and, for this cause, there are many warnings to men, especially converted men, to shun all covetousness of such (Deut. 6:10-17; Ps. 52:1-7; 73:1-22; Pro. 23:4-5; 28:20-22; 30:8-9; Jer. 9:23; Ezek. 28:5; Matt. 6:19; Luke 6:24; 12:15-20; 16:13-31; 1Tim. 6:4-19; Jas. 1:9-11; 5:1-3).

The Liberal Soul

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Proverbs 11:25-27 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that waters shall be watered also himself. He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it. He that diligently seeks good procures favour: but he that seeks mischief, it shall come unto him. 

‘The liberal soul’ – God blesses the bountiful soul and repays what is cheerfully given.

‘Shall be made fat.’ Three examples of liberality blessed: The widow (1Kin. 17:10); the Shunammite (2Kin. 4:8, 37) and Publius (Acts 28:7-8).

‘He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it.’ The man who takes advantage of scarcity to make himself rich will be cursed, but blessing will be upon the one who helps men in adversity.

‘He that diligently seeks good procures favour: but he that seeks mischief, it shall come unto him.’ He that seeks the good of others gains their favour, but he that seeks their harm shall reap it himself.

Scatters vs Withholds

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Proverbs 11:24 There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty. 

‘There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty.’ What you give you gain; what you keep you lose. Luke 6:38 teaches that with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again and 2 Corinthians 9:6 we read again of this unfailing law taught by Jesus that he which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

As it is written (Ex. 16:18), He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack (2Cor. 8:15).

Just as surely as everything in nature reproduces after its kind, harvests being as sure as the sowings, so every man will reap what he sows and be responsible for his own destiny (Gal. 6:7-8). It is folly to talk about reaping eternal life when one sow to the flesh (Gal. 6:8; Gal. 5:19-21; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Rom. 1:29-32). It is equal folly to talk about being lost if one sows to the Spirit.

Good vs Wrath

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Proverbs 11:23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 

‘The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.’ The righteous are consecrated to goodness, but the wicked are consecrated to things that will produce the wrath of God.

One who is consecrated to obey the Bible and refuses to sin, cannot break the commandments of God. Therefore, he cannot sin, for sin is the transgression of the law (1Jn. 3:4). The reason given here for not being able to sin is that “His” (God’s) seed (the Word of God) remains (abides) in him. That is, the one born again refuses to transgress the commandment of God and commit sin. As long as this consecration remains he will be unable to sin. If he grows cold in his love for God, ceasing to pray and maintain his spiritual life, he then may be overcome again and sin by transgressing the Word of God (1Jn. 2:1; 2Pet. 1:5-10).

Children of disobedience is a Hebraism for people consecrated to satan and disobedience. The wicked one is their father (Matt. 13:38; John 8:44; 1Jn. 3:8-10; 5:18).

Without Discretion

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Proverbs 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. 

‘As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout.’ Nose jewels are common in the East (Gen. 24:47; Isa. 3:21). A jewel in the swine’s snout is as becoming as a beautiful woman who lacks moral discretion. No amount of jewellery, clothing and outward adoration can hide someone’s true nature.

‘Swine’ – Used figuratively of sinners in three classes: Indiscreet women (11:22); Deceived people (Matt. 7:6); Backsliders (2Pet. 2:20-22).

‘Discretion’ [Hebrew: mezimmah] is used in a good sense of judgment and discretion (1:4; 2:11; 3:21; 5:2). Translated as “intents” (Jer. 30:24) “thought” (Job 42:2; Ps. 10:4; Jer. 23:20) and “devices” in a wicked sense (12:2; 14:17; Job 21:27; Ps. 10:2; 21:11; 37:7; Jer. 51:11). Someone without discretion is described in Scripture as one with evil intents, thoughts and devices.

Unpunished

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Proverbs 11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 

‘Though hand join in hand.’ Verbal contracts were closed with a handshake. Here, though the wicked pledge such support to each other in sin, they will not go unpunished. Only the righteous will be delivered.

‘Unpunished’ – That is, shall not be guiltless. Five examples of judging wicked rebels: The Babel builders (Gen. 11:1-9); Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:1-38); Korah and company (Num. 16:1-50); the Canaanite kings (Jos. 9-10) and the ten kings (Rev. 17-19).

‘The seed of the righteous shall be delivered.’ Four examples of righteous descendants being delivered: Noah and his family (Genesis 6-8); Lot and his family (Gen. 19:17-29); the Jews (Est. 7-9) and the Hebrew children (Dan. 3:1-30).

A Froward Heart

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Proverbs 11:20 They that are of a froward heart are an abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. 

‘Abomination to the LORD.’ Twenty things that are an abomination to God: The froward man [Hebrew: luwz] perverse; one who turns aside (3:32; 11:20). A proud look (6:16-17). A lying tongue (6:17; 12:22). Hands that shed innocent blood. A wicked scheming heart (6:18). Feet quick to sin. A false witness that speaks lies (6:19). A sower of discord. Wickedness (8:7). A false balance (scale, 11:1). Sacrifice of the wicked (15:8; 21:27). The way of the wicked (15:9). The thoughts of the wicked (15:26). The proud of the heart (16:5). Justifying the wicked (17:15). Condemning the just. Diverse weights (20:10, 23). Diverse measures. Refusing to hear the law (28:9). Prayer of the rebel.

‘His delight’ – God delights in the saints (holy ones) and excellent ones on the earth (Ps. 16:3). Six things that God also delights in:  Just weights (11:1); the upright (11:20); they that deal honestly (12:22); the prayer of the upright (15:8); the way of good men (Ps. 37:23) and mercy (Mic. 7:18).

Six examples of being God’s delight: Enoch (Heb. 11:5); Noah (Gen. 6:8); Israel (Deut. 10:15); The upright (11:20); Saints and the excellent (Ps. 16:3) and Jesus Christ (Isa. 42:1).

Deceitful vs Righteous

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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.