Tag: Gospel

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).

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.

Gracious and Merciful

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Proverbs 11:16-17 A gracious woman retains honour: and strong men retain riches. The merciful man does good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh. 

‘Gracious’ [Hebrew: chen] grace; favour (11:16; Eccl. 10:12). Translated “grace” 38 times (Gen. 6:8; 19:19; 32:5; Ps. 84:11; etc.). She is strong and graceful, as well as cheerful about the future. Her words are sensible, and her advice is thoughtful. She takes good care of her family and is never lazy.

Scripture here points to a woman who exhibits grace, and the respect she gains from others, as opposed to the money earned by those who are graceless. The implication is that a gracious person can earn both respect and income, whereas a callous person can only gain money.

Grace of manner is deceitful and beauty of form and features will fade, but the woman who fears the Lord shall be praised (31:30).

‘Strong men’ – the diligent, as in the Septuagint and Syriac.

‘The merciful man.’ The man who shows mercy edifies his own soul, but the unmerciful, fretful, and vengeful destroys his own flesh and is sickly in his body.

‘Does good to his own soul.’ Six examples of blessing by kindness: The Kenites (1Sam. 15:6); David (1Sam. 30:11-20); Jonathan (2Sam. 9:7; 21:7); Job (Job 42:10); Cornelius (Acts 10:4); The Maltese (Acts 28:1-10).

‘Troubles this own flesh.’ Six examples of troubling self: Cain (Gen. 4:10-12); Joseph’s brethren (Gen. 37:1-36; 42:21); Adonibezek (Jdg. 1:6-7); Agag (1Sam. 15:33); Haman (Est. 9:25); Jonah (Jon. 4:1-3).

Surety

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Proverbs 11:15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hates suretiship is sure. 

‘Surety’ – Pledging to stand good for anyone tends to relieve the borrower of the responsibility he should feel, and often lowers the respect of a co-signer in the sight of the one he helps.

Five facts about surety: The command against surety (22:26). The command to get out of surety as quickly as possible (6:1-5). Surety is a sign of a lack of understanding (17:18). Suffering and disappointment are what is promised in surety (11:15). To refrain from surety is the only safe way (11:15).

A man who quickly concludes a contract and becomes surety in the presence of a friend proves he is void of understanding (17:18). Do not be quick to shake hands (make contracts and give promises) or co-sign for the debts of others. If you have nothing to pay, why lose the necessities of life by pledging them as security (22:26-27)?

Safety

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Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety. 

‘Counsel’ [Hebrew: tachbulah] helmsman; guide; counsel. Translated as counsel (11:14; 1:5; 12:5; 24:6; Job 37:12); and advice (20:18).

‘But in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety.’ Safety, providing they are real counsellors (cp. Pro. 15:22; 24:6) and in Christ (Ps. 1:1-6). Many today only focus on one’s rights instead of doing what is right. Our main focus must always be to seek God.

Three things to do in seeking God (Hosea 10:12): [1]“Sow to yourselves in righteousness.” This means to stop sinning and start doing what is right in all things – to consecrate to do that which is good and right. Sowing and reaping always stand out against each other, as labour and reward (2Cor. 9:6; Gal. 6:7-9). [2] “Reap in mercy.” This means to accept and appropriate the mercy of God extended to us. If we do not accept mercy from God it will not be ours, for both sowing in righteousness and reaping in mercy are our responsibility. Righteousness is here to do, and mercy is here to receive, but neither will be a man’s experience until he does what is right and accepts the mercy provided (Matt. 5:7; Mark 11:25-26). [3] “Break up your fallow ground.” This also is the work of man. Each must break up the ground of his own life. Fallow ground is that which has been ploughed but not sown; ground not in use; idle ground crusted over and hardened until it needs to be broken up again to receive the seed. Our hearts and wills must be broken and yielded to God. We must make ourselves willing to receive the Word of God and to obey it or seeking Him will not avail us anything (Matt. 13:3-12, 18-23; Jas. 1:18, 21; 1Pet. 1:23).

Holds His Peace

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Proverbs 11:12-13 He that is void of wisdom despises his neighbour: but a man of understanding holds his peace. A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter. 

‘Despises his neighbour: but a man of understanding holds his peace.’ He reproaches his neighbour, but a man of understanding holds his peace and keeps his mouth. Even a fool is considered a wise one if he knows when and where to speak, and a so-called wise man is considered a fool if he does not know when to hold his tongue (17:28).

Five sins that will damn the soul: Refusing to live at peace with neighbours (Ps. 55:20). Not keeping one’s word (cp. Ps. 15:4; 2Tim. 3:3). Lying (Ps. 55:21; cp. Rev. 21:8). Plotting the destruction of those who would live in peace. Deceiving and destroying with one’s tongue (cp. Jas. 3:1-18).

‘Talebearer’ [Hebrew: halak and rakiyl], a walking busybody; a peddler in scandal (cp. Lev. 19:16; Jas. 1:26). He reveals whatever is confided to him. He will even reveal his own secrets rather than have nothing to say. Doeg is a good example of talebearing (1Sam. 21:7; 22:9-10; Ps. 52:2).

The Upright vs the Wicked

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Proverbs 11:10-11 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 

‘When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices.’ The righteous are respected and honoured for their examples, prayers, and great blessings to a city that rejoices in their prosperity, but when the wicked perish who have been a curse to a community there is no regret.

‘Well with the righteous.’ Three examples of joy in the righteous: Hezekiah (2Chr. 29:3-36; 30:26); Nehemiah (Neh. 2:1-20; 6:15; 8:17); Mordecai (Est. 8:15-16).

‘When the wicked perish.’ Three examples of the wicked perishing: Pharaoh (Ex. 15:1-27); Sisera (Jdg. 5:1-31); Athaliah (2Kin. 11:20).

‘By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.’ A city rejoices in the blessing of the righteous because it is exalted and honoured by their good deeds, but the wicked helps destroy it.

Hypocrites vs the Just

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Proverbs 11:7-9 When a wicked man dies, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perishes. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his stead. An hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. 

‘Hope of unjust men perishes.’ The wicked hope to be saved and have many things the righteous enjoy, but their hope will perish because they refuse to turn to God. Three examples of perishing hope: Balaam’s (Num. 23:10; 31:8); Absalom’s (2Sam. 18:1-33); and the rich fool’s (Luke 12:16-21).

‘Hypocrite’ [Hebrew: chaneph] means infidel, godless, profane – worse than the modern understanding of hypocrite. The hypocrite acts a false part and gives false impressions of himself. He is a cheater, deceiver, imposter, and pretender. He tries to cover up his devices and gain credit for his virtues. He hopes to prosper through deceit. The hypocrite has no hope when God takes away the soul (Job 27:7-12). All his life is miserable – professing to love what he doesn’t love, trying to enjoy what his heart hates, mingling with people with whom he has no sympathy, and joining in worship when his heart isn’t in it.

They seek God daily (Isa. 58:2), their seeking being only an outward show to attract attention to self and deceive others. They pretend to delight in knowing His ways and carry out many rituals, but the heart is far from the Lord (Isa. 29:13).

‘The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his stead.’ Three examples of the righteous delivered and the wicked perishing in their place: Mordecai and Haman (Est. 7:9-10). Daniel and accusers (Dan. 6:1-28). Israel and Egyptians (Exo. 14:1-31).