Proverbs 11

Bible Passage:  Proverbs 11

Reading through this chapter gives me a picture of persons who brings harm and ruin wherever they go is filled in with details on the harm that comes back on them:  They lose the wealth that they have so eagerly grasped, their honour in the community, and their hopes and expectations.

The last few verses alternate images of fruit-bearing trees and failed inheritances.  Both the righteous and the wicked are surprised:  the righteous because in seeking the good of others they find themselves blessed, the wicked because what they grasp so tenaciously slips from their hands.

Generous giving, scattered like seed, yield a great crop, like a drink offered to others that will be returned (v. 25).  Business practices are included in such generosity.  For example, it may be more profitable to withhold grain from sale until the price goes up, but the one who sells food at a fair price during a time of need finds that blessing returned (v. 26).

Wisdom Lessons – Obvious Or Oblivious?

The lessons found here seem so obvious that there is really no need for me to elaborate, isn’t it?

I mean…. we ask our children “Is it right or is it wrong to steal something in a store?” They know it is wrong.

Yet there are many things in life which we believers sometimes are careless about. In fact, we are oblivious to the fact that we are doing wrong!

So God our Father takes a whole chapter to warn us of the dangers and sorrows which result from not distinguishing between right and wrong… between righteousness and doing what we want. God also points out the blessing and happiness which comes from listening to, and obeying Him.

When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,
And the hope of the unjust perishes.
The righteous is delivered from trouble,
And it comes to the wicked instead.

Prov 11:7-8

Look at these verses in two ways, (1) as referring to lost people who perish in contrast to the believer who will be in heaven, happy with Christ forever. Then also (2) as applying to your life as a believer. Though you may have many troubles, you will be kept calm, peaceful and happy by God if you are obedient to His Word.

In Prov 11:14 we read about “Counsel”.  “Counsel” means “advice”.

A believer who loves and follows the Lord will be a good counselor for you and me.  Some of us are going to be counsellors for the theological seminar or evangelistic service.   Rememeber this lesson.  We can never be a good counsellor unless we submit to the Chief Counsellor, the Holy Spirit.

We need to constantly examine ourselves, fall on our knees and confess our neglect of the Lord and going on with things we know that are displeasing him.

I challenge you to read through this chapter slowly and meditate upon it again….

Each verse contains so much good advice, and is so easy to understand, that comment is not necessary. Always remember that we believers can apply these Proverbs two ways (A) as good advice for our daily living in this world. (B) Equally good for us when we make them spiritual lessons. For instance in verse 25. The first interpretation is obvious, but applying it spiritually, we learn that a believer who delights to help others by encouraging them to look more to the Lord, is himself encouraged.

May God help us to respond to the call of Wisdom.