Tag: Truth

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).

Righteousness

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Proverbs 11:4-6 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 

‘Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death.’ Riches do wonders among men, but with God they purchase nothing. No sin profits in the day of wrath, but righteousness rescues from hell.

‘Righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.’ The righteousness of the blameless man will enable his path to be always light so that he may see his way, but the lawlessness of the wicked will be full of stumbling blocks.

‘The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.’ The righteousness of the upright man shall deliver him from condemnation and eternal judgment, but sins of the wicked will bring them to judgment.

Integrity vs Perverseness – Part 2

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Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Seven examples of perverseness: Israel (Deut. 1:43-44); Balaam (Num. 22:32; 31:8); Hophni and Phinehas (1Sam. 2:25; 4:11); Saul (1Sam. 15:23); Absalom (2Sam. 15:3-6); Ahithophel (2Sam. 17:1-23); Ahab (1Kin. 21:25-26; 22:34-37).

‘Transgressors’ [Hebrew: bagad] traitors; faithless to the covenant. Translated as “transgress” (1Sam. 14:33; Ps. 25:3; Hab. 2:5); “transgressor” (Pro. 2:22; 11:3, 6; 13:2, 15; 21:8; 22:12; 23:28; Ps. 59:5; 119:158); “treacherous” (Isa. 21:2; 24:16; Jer. 3:8, 11; 9:2); “treacherously” (Jdg. 9:23; Isa. 21:2; 24:16; 33:1; 48:8; Jer. 3:20; 5:11; 12:1, 6; Lam. 1:2; Hos. 5:7; 6:7; Hab. 1:13; Mal. 2:10-16); “deceitfully” (Ex. 21:8; Job 6:15); and “unfaithful” (Ps. 78:57; Pro. 25:19). A transgressor is a deceiving, unfaithful, disloyal hypocrite, and Proverbs warns that, “the integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them” (11:3) and that the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it (2:22).

Integrity vs Perverseness – Part 1

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Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 

‘Integrity of the upright shall guide them.’ Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. In all public trust, we must walk uprightly and pay strict attention to truth, justice, and mercy; never planning evil things, or using public trust to enrich oneself, or give bribes as the wicked do (Ps. 26:10-11). A righteous man will be rewarded by having his children blessed by his integrity after his death (20:7).

Three examples of guiding integrity: Joseph (Gen. 39:4, 22-23; 50:25); Jesus Christ (Luke 2:40, 52; 1Pet. 2:21) and Paul (Gal. 2:20).

‘Perverseness’ is defined as the act of perverting or the state of being perverted; a turning from truth or right; a diverting from the true intent or object; a change to something worse; a turning or applying to a wrong end or use.” It is the noun of the word “pervert” which has the following equivalent meanings in Scripture: [Hebrew: haphak] translated as to turn or overturn (Jer. 23:36); [Hebrew: natah] translated as to cause to incline by implication to bend away (including moral deflection); (Deut. 24:17; 27:19; 1Sam. 8:3; Pro. 17:23); [Hebrew: salaph] translated as to overthrow, pervert (Ex. 23:8; Deut. 16:19; Pro. 19:3); [Hebrew: avah] translated as to do perversely, pervert (Job 33:27; Jer. 3:21); [Hebrew: avath] translated as to use perversely (Job 8:3; 34:12); [Hebrew: aqash] translated as to pervert (Pro. 10:9; Mic. 3:9); [Hebrew: shub] translated as to turn or bring back (Isa. 47:10); [Hebrew: shanah] translated as to change, transfer (Pro. 31:5); [Greek: apostrepho] translated as to turn away or off (Luke 23:14); [Greek: diastrepho], translated as to turn diversely, perversely (Luke 23:2); [Greek: metastrepho], translated as to turn away (Gal. 1:7).

To be continued…

Pride

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Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 

‘When pride comes, then comes shame.’ Six examples of shame through pride: Lucifer (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17); Miriam (Num. 12:10); Uzziah (2Chr. 26:16-21); Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4:30); Moab (Zeph. 2:8-10); Ninevah (Zeph. 2:15).

Lucifer wanted to become like God at the expense of God and everyone else; this was extreme sinfulness against God and nature. It was by this appeal to be like God that Eve was deceived (Gen. 3:5). Christ came to imitate God among men, and to set an example of true God-likeness, that of being like God in consecration to the good of all – not for the good of self-gratification. Thus He repeatedly declared the true nature of consecration and godliness.

National pride because of ancestry, victory in war, learning, riches, and even religion has always been a human weakness. In excess, it causes prejudice, malice and hatred of others of all peoples. In Exodus 22:21 God used the slavery experience of Israel in Egypt to warn them against oppressing other nations and the weak and poor among themselves.

‘With the lowly is wisdom.’ Four examples of wisdom to the lowly: Joseph (Gen. 41:16, 38-39); Solomon (1Kin. 3:5-13); Daniel (Dan. 2:20-21); Jesus Christ (Luke 2:40, 52; Isa. 11:1).

False vs Just

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Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 

‘False balance’ – One faulty in construction or by mischief.

‘Abomination to the LORD.’ Twenty things are an abomination to God: The froward man (3:32; 11:20). A proud look (6:16-17). A lying tongue (6:17; 12:22) Hands that shed innocent blood (6:17). 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). The 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 heart (16:5). Justifying the wicked (17:15). Condemning the just (17:15). Diverse weights (20:10, 23). Diverse measures (20:10). Refusing to hear the law (28:9). The prayer of the rebel (28:9).

‘Just weight’ – Literally, perfect stone. Early weights were made of stone (Deut. 25:13-15). This proverb is repeated three times (16:11; 20:10, 23; cp. Lev. 19:36; Deut. 25:13-15; Mic. 6:11). There was a royal standard of weights (2Sam. 14:26).

Wisdom vs Frowardness

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Proverbs 10:31-32 The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaks frowardness. 

‘The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.’ The mouth of the just speaks wisdom, but the tongue of the perverse will be cut out. It was an ancient custom in some nations to cut out the tongue for blasphemy, lying, treasonable speeches, and other vocal crimes.

‘The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaks forwardness.’ The righteous know what is acceptable and profitable to speak, but the wicked know what is perverse. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns us not to be deceived because evil communications corrupt good manners. Thus, evil ones will corrupt good morals.

‘Frowardness’ [Hebrew: ‛iqqesh] perverse. All such persons are an abomination to God (3:32; 11:20). There are ten froward things noted in Scripture: Generation (Deut. 32:20). Heart (11:20; 17:20; Ps. 101:4). Speech (2:12; 10:31). Paths (2:15). Mouth (4:24; 6:12; 8:13). Tongue (10:31). Men (16:28; 22:5; 1Pet. 2:18). Plans (6:14; 16:30). Ways (21:8; Isa. 57:17). God, when He is forced to be perverse with the wicked to punish them for sin (Ps. 18:26).

The Way of the Lord

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Proverbs 10:29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 

‘The way of the LORD is strength to the upright.’ The righteous are constantly renewed in strength (2Cor. 4:16), but sudden destruction will come to the wicked (29:1). The outward man is slowly dying through trials and sufferings, but the inward man is being renewed daily.

Many complain that the way of the Lord was not equal and just, for how could a righteous man who had lived in righteousness many years become a sinner again and die because of sin? Why should he not continue to live if he had lived more in righteousness than in sin? Why would he not be rewarded for his many righteous deeds? Why should he die for committing only one sin? God took issue with this kind of reasoning and plainly revealed the fact that sin is sin wherever it is found and in whomsoever it is found. It is a deadly thing that will damn the soul. One sin is sufficient to kill; he who sins incurs the death penalty regardless of all else in his life; and one sin will damn a righteous man as quickly as a wicked man. Every soul that sins will die; but no one needs to die through sin, for all are privileged to be made alive again upon meeting certain conditions of getting rid of sin. The sole responsibility of death or life is with the individual, not with God; He only blesses or curses all alike upon meeting the conditions of life or death. Here, God maintained His ways are equal because He deals with all alike, without respect of persons. The ways of man are unequal because of expecting justice when injustice has been done, expecting righteousness when sin has been committed, and expecting life when one kills himself by sin.

‘But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.’ Four examples of sudden destruction: are Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:1-38). Pharoah and his army (Ex. 14:19-31). Saul (1Chr. 10:13-14). Jeroboam (1Kin. 14:7-11).