Proverbs Chapter 11
Proverbs
Chapter 11
1. The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. How valuable is the Book of God for the minute details it gives on how we should behave. Scales and money are necessary for daily life. Underhanded dealings and hard bargains struck with self-complacent shrewdness are dishonest scales. They are forbidden by the law (Leviticus 19:35) and by the Gospel (Matthew 7:12; Philippians 4:8). They are hated by God, and they are an abomination to God (20:10; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Amos 8:5-7).
But we must not just treat this proverb as a moral maxim. It was given as a warning to a flourishing Christian church (1 Thessalonians 4:6). Is it not a solemn thought that God's eye notes all our everyday dealings in life? He either abhors them, or else they are a delight to him.
2. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. We know that pride was the main reason for the Fall (Genesis 3:5); and it still lives in fallen man (Mark 7:22). God shames men because they do not know their limits and because they refuse to stand on the low ground on which he has placed them (Luke 18:14; Isaiah 2:17).
Such is the folly of pride, but with humility comes wisdom. There is no greater proof of proud folly than only to believe what we understand. Happy is the humble spirit that comes to God's revelation, as it were, without any will or mind of its own. It must then humbly receive what God is pleased to give and be willing—yes, thankful—to be ignorant when God forbids us to intrude (Colossians 2:18).
3. Integrity is a most valuable guide in every perplexing situation. The single desire to know God's will so that we may do it will always bring light on our path (Psalm 143:10). The unfaithful who indulge in duplicity neglect this godly principle and so are destroyed.
4. In vain will the rich men of the earth seek a shelter from the wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:15-17). They and their hopes will perish together.
One of Bunyan's graphic and accurate sketches represents Ignorance ferried over the river by Vain Hope. Ignorance then ascends the hill alone, without encouragement, and is ultimately bound and carried away. "Then I saw," he adds with fearful solemnity, "that there was a way to Hell, even from the gates of Heaven." "They were not living, but lying hopes, and dying hopes" (Leighton). What a contrast this is to the anchor that is the hope of the soul (Hebrews 6:19).
8. The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. These two classes of people change places in the dispensations of God. The same providence often marks divine faithfulness and retributive justice. The Israelites were delivered out of the trouble of the Red Sea, but the Egyptians were drowned by it (Exodus 14:21-28). Mordecai was rescued from the gallows, on which Haman was then hanged (Esther 5:14; 7:10). Peter was snatched from death, while his persecutors and jailers were condemned. We do not always see the same outward manifestation of God. But the love is always the same. That should make us fall in the dust and build our confidence on an unshakable foundation.
9. With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape. Haman, under the pretense of loyalty, sought to destroy a whole nation (Esther 3:8-13). Ziba, under the same false cover, wanted to destroy his neighbor (2 Samuel 16:1-4; compare 19:26-27). The lying steward from mere willfulness ruined his brother. Such is the hypocrite's mouth. It may be a small part of the body, but it is filled with sin and is itself set on fire by hell (James 3:5-6). When such a person is in the church, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing devouring the flock (Matthew 7:15).
But the righteous escape ... through knowledge. They escape "by the light and direction of the Holy Spirit, and by the living knowledge of God's word, which gives to the faithful man enough wisdom to keep him safe" (Diodati). Learn the value of solid knowledge. Feeling, excitement, and imagination can expose us to an unsteady profession. Knowledge supplies principle and steadfastness. So to your faith add knowledge (2 Peter 1:5). Guard against plausible error, which is usually built on some single truth and pressed beyond its limit.
10. When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. The world, despite the natural hostility of the heart, gives testimony to consistent godliness and rejoices ... when the righteous prosper. Their elevation to authority is a matter of general joy.
11. But the wicked are only a curse on the community. So it is a matter of great exultation when they perish (verse 10). Such was the joy of Rome on the death of Nero, and the public rejoicing during the French Revolution at the death of Robespierre. The people of God unite in shouts of joy, but not from any selfish feeling of revenge, much less from unfeeling hardness toward their fellow sinners. But when an obstacle to the good cause is removed, when God's justice against sin and his faithful preservation of his church are displayed, should not every feeling be absorbed in a supreme interest in his glory? Should the upright not shout? The alleluia of heaven is an exulting testimony to the righteous judgments of the Lord our God, bringing on his glorious kingdom (Revelation 19:1-2).
12. A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. Pride and uncharitableness show a man to be devoid of judgment. He is ignorant of himself, his neighbor, and his God. For could he delight in magnifying the speck in his brother's eye had he the judgment to view the plank in his own eye (Matthew 7:3-5)? Could he deride his neighbor if he really knew him to be as he himself is? This kind of blindness shows that he lacks judgment. "It denotes the lack of a right state of mind, judgment, and affections. Such a man is without heart to what is wise and good" (Scott).
A man of understanding may see much in his neighbor to stir his pity and excite his prayers, but nothing to deride him about. Self-knowledge shows the man of understanding to be the man of love. "He will keep himself from speaking or doing anything in scorn of another" (Diodati).
13. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. Another breach of love is reproved here. The Gospel does not shut us up in our own private interests, as if we had no sympathy for our neighbor. It is a universal brotherhood of love. Yet it rebukes a gossip who, having no business of his own, traffics with his neighbor's name and honor and sells his scandals for gain or wantonness. It is not safe to be close to this cruel man who trifles with the happiness of his fellow creatures. For as readily as he betrays a confidence about a neighbor to us, so he will betray a confidence about us to someone else. All the bonds of friendship are broken into pieces. Let ears and lips be closed against him. Christian consistency includes the faithful spirit. It gives us great peace of mind to have a friend who is a trustworthy man who is able to keep a secret.
14. For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. Even in personal matters the value of a wise counselor is generally admitted. A nation, therefore, without advisers is like a ship in the middle of rocks without a pilot and is in imminent danger. May the good Lord deliver us from the deserved national judgment of weak and blinded advisers.
David and Solomon, though themselves especially endowed with wisdom, governed their kingdoms with the help of wise advisers (compare Psalm 119:98-100 with 2 Samuel 15:12; 17:14; 1 Kings 12:6). The more there were of such advisers, the safer the people were. To one such wise adviser a heathen ruler owed the safety of his nation during a famine (Genesis 41:38-57).
The church too has often been preserved by this blessing (Acts 15:6-31).
15. He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe. This is a repeated warning against putting up security for another (see 6:1-5) and is meant to inculcate circumspection, not to excuse selfishness or to dry up the sources of helpful sympathy. This must not be done for a stranger (27:13) whose character is unknown to us. For such incautious kindness, too often done at the expense of the family, will make us suffer.
We cannot forget one exception. The blessed Jesus, from his free grace, unsought and unasked (John 19:15, 17-18; Philippians 2:6-8), became surety, not for a friend, but for a stranger. He became one with us in nature, that he might be one with us in law. He took our place under the curse of the broken law (Galatians 3:13). He put his soul in our soul's place to the fullest extent and then in our nature paid the debt, which all the angels of heaven could never have discharged. Oh, this was suffering indeed! Sin was as thoroughly punished as it was thoroughly pardoned. So all that is left for us to do is to fall down before this grace and to spend our days, as we will spend eternity, adoring this wonderful manifestation of divine glory (Revelation 1:5-6; 5:12).
16. A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Everywhere the great value of godliness greets us. What admirable characteristics it gives to women (31:10). A kindhearted woman is known, not by her outward beauty, but by her "inner self" (1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:3-4). Deborah was "a mother in Israel" and the adviser of a wayward people (Judges 4:4; 5:7). Esther used her influence over her heathen husband for the good of her nation (Esther 7:3-4; 9:12-13, 25). Dorcas was commended for her active usefulness (Acts 9:36). Such people should always receive honor and respect.
17. A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. Kindness is not natural benevolence, without God or godliness. It is the fruit of the Spirit, the image of our Father, and being gripped by the love of Christ (Galatians 5:22; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Colossians 3:13). It is not pity in words and looks. It is when our neighbor's trouble descends into the depths of our hearts and draws out from there our inner compassion. On the great day God will honor this before the assembled universe (Matthew 25:34-36).
It is no less certain that a cruel man will bring down disaster on himself. Unsubdued passion is like carrying around the very elements of hell. Joseph's brothers suffered for the way they had dealt with their brother in such a cruel way (Genesis 42:21). The treasures of selfishness will wound us (James 5:1-3). Oh, my God, save me from the tyranny of my own lust. May your perfect image of mercy be my standard and my pattern!
18. Both masters that claim the allegiance of the heart offer rewards. Did Satan fulfill all his promises (Genesis 3:4-5; Matthew 4:8-9)? No. The wicked man earns deceptive wages, and his life ends in disappointment (Hebrews 3:13; Romans 6:21). Pharaoh's plan to exterminate the Israelites ended up increasing their number and being the downfall of himself and his people.
But the sure reward of the righteous makes a great contrast. No sinner since the fall of man has ever known the full reward of righteousness in this life. It may now be given as afflictions, with God's grace to support you so you can triumph over them. It will probably be given to us as it is given to the farmer who has to patiently wait for the harvest. But whenever it is given, no matter how long it is delayed, it is a sure reward. Remember, righteousness is the seed, and happiness is the harvest.
19. Righteousness not only delivers from death—it is the way that life may be attained. If righteousness is our main goal, God will make it our best friend. The man who pursues evil will be convicted of his sin in the end. He will say, "Had I but sown righteousness in God's service, I would have been infinitely happy." The joy of the truly righteous man will be wonderful (Revelation 22:12).
20. The perverse and the blameless are often contrasted. In all the contests between God and man, the question is, whose will is going to prevail? We should be grateful to the school of discipline that makes us feel the privilege of being subject to Christ (Psalm 119:67, 71). A perverse heart is especially hated by God, most of all when it is cloaked by external religion (Luke 16:15).
21. Those who are righteous will go free. "The best way for any man to do his children good is to be godly himself" (Dodd and Cleaver). Is this not an encouragement to parental faith as we leave our children to face this evil world ?
22. Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. Here is a most distasteful, yet apt comparison! Let us see things as the Bible shows them to us. Beauty is indeed to be honored as a gift from God. Yet in itself it is a fading vanity. If the woman lacks discretion, her beauty is as misplaced and as unbecoming as a gold ring in a pig's snout. Is the ornament going to make the filthy animal beautiful? No. This unnatural combination makes it forever an object of disgust. All the charms of beauty are lost on a foolish woman. Instead of retaining her honor, she only brings disgrace on herself.
"Lightness and fantastic clothing is the very sign hanging out that tells a vain mind lives within. The soul fallen from God has lost its true worth and beauty. Therefore it basely descends to these mean things, to serve and dress the body and take with it unworthy borrowed ornaments, while it has lost and forgotten God and does not seek him and does not know that he alone is the beauty and ornament of the soul, and his Spirit and grace his rich attire" (Leighton). Many a lovely form enshrines a rebellious mind. All external, even intellectual, accomplishments that have no discretion end in barrenness. We entirely depend on God's grace for him to fruitfully use his own gifts in us.
23. The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. "Desire is the wing of the soul, whereby it moves and is carried to the thing that it loves, as the eagle to the carcass, in the Scripture proverbs (Job 39:30; Matthew 24:28), to feed itself and to be satisfied with it" (Bishop Reynolds). The desire of the righteous must be good because it is God's own work. It must end only in good because it centers on God himself. God in Christ is the status of the righteous person, and what earthly status can compare with that? If I only subordinate my desires to his, I shall be happy. "Thou didst put into my mind good desires; and thou wilt bring me the same to good effect" (Collect for Easter Day).
But the hope of the wicked is directly opposed to God's will. Oh, let me daily test my desires by the true standard, and discipline them, that they may be fixed on the true object, so that I may delight myself in the Lord.
24. God scatters his blessings richly around, and those who have the same spirit do the same. But the man who withholds unduly will become poor. Generosity is the way to plenty. Have faith in God. Giving generously in his name will make us rich.
25. "How often, when my heart has been cold and dead, have I been quickened by the loving-kindness of the Lord upon doing something kind and loving for a fellow-creature, and more especially for a fellow Christian" (Venn). The minister is refreshed by his own message of salvation to his people. The Sunday school teacher learns many valuable lessons in the work of instruction. Every spiritual gift, every active grace, is increased by exercise, while its efficiency withers by neglect (Matthew 25:29).
26. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. This is a piece of sacred "political economy." It reminds us that we are the stewards of God's gifts (2 Corinthians 9:11). To use them for our own interest, without due regard for our neighbor, is being unfaithful to God (Matthew 25:26-27). A flagrant sin, therefore, is to withhold the very staff of life. This may be a prudent restraint in time of scarcity; but a selfish spirit that makes the poor suffer will bring a piercing curse. Would that the cry for the bread of life were as earnest and universal as for the bread that perishes!
27. He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Man is born for action, as the sparks fly upward or the stone tends downward. All of us are living with a stupendous measure of vital activity for good or for evil. Man was never intended, least of all the Christian, to be idle. Our divine Master went about doing good, always actively helping people. Anyone who does not live like this is a counterfeit. Usefulness is everything. We should feel ashamed of our depravity— that we could ever spend a day without seeking good. Nor must we wait to have opportunity brought to us. We must seek it diligently, getting up early and springing with joy to the work. Let us wake to the conscious responsibility of having the means of blessing our fellow sinners in our hands. Let us each do what we can. Whether this is a little or a lot, do it prayerfully, and faithfully. Do not be put off by trifling obstacles. Do not let your inability to do a great deal prevent you from doing what you are capable of. God honors a little strength (Revelation 3:8), the single talent (2 Corinthians 8:12), provided that it is dedicated to his service. And "filling up every hour with some profitable work, either of heart, head, or hands," as Brainerd has rightly observed, "is an excellent means of spiritual peace and boldness before God." "Religious people are heavy and moping and cast down principally because they are idle and selfish. Living and working for God and to save souls is the only way to know more and more of his truth and his salvation" (Venn).
The ceaseless energy of Satan's servants in seeking evil puts to shame our indifference! What is going to be the fruit of my diligence? Will it be a blessing or a curse to my fellow sinner? Oh, my God, may it be from you, and for you!
28. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. Here is the cause and misery of the Fall. Man is to seek his rest in God's blessing rather than in himself (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Riches are one of his false grounds for trusting (10:15; Luke 12:19). He depends on them, as the saint depends on his God. And is not this the denial of the God who is above? This is a most unpopular truth, and it is one that only the heart crucified to the world by the cross of Christ can receive. The possession of riches in itself need not be a sin. See the gifts of God to Abraham, to David, and to Solomon. But it is a sin to trust in riches (Mark 10:23). The person who trusts in riches is bound to be disappointed by them in the end.
But the righteous are not like the blossom or leaf that is shaken off the tree and falls to the ground. They are like a green leaf. They abide in the true vine and are full of life and fruit (John 15:5). There may be, as in nature's winter, times of apparent barrenness. But the spring returns, and then the leaf will thrive. Does not this prospect fill us with joy and praise?
29. He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. A home that is united within itself flourishes under the special favor of God. But a home that is divided will be destroyed. Often an irreligious head of the home blights the comfort of the family. Indeed, he cannot neglect his own soul without harming his family. He deprives them of the blessing of holy prayers and godly example, while he brings trouble on them with the mischief of his ungodliness. And he himself will inherit only wind, in utter disappointment. Prayerless, careless parents, ponder the tragedy of bringing a curse instead of a blessing on your families!
30. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Here is the fruit of the green leaf (verse 28). The whole life of the righteous—his influence, his prayers, his instruction, his example— is a tree of life. What the tree of life was in paradise, it will be in heaven, as well as in the wilderness. It will be fruitful, nourishing, and healing (Revelation 22:2; 2:7; Proverbs 3:18; 15:4). "And surely he who by these means wins souls to righteousness and salvation is wise indeed" (Bishop Home). Only he who bought them by his blood can win sinners to himself; yet he has set apart men for the work of "drawing souls to God, and to the love of him, sweetly gaining and making a holy conquest of them to God" (Diodati). This is the wisdom of our divine Master. He taught the people as much as they were able to understand (Mark 4:33). The great apostle became all things to all men, so that he might save some of them (1 Corinthians 9:20-22; 10:33). God grant that no minister of Christ may spend a day without working to win at least one soul for heaven.
But, blessed be God, this fruit, this wisdom, is not confined to the sacred calling. Do we love our Lord? Arise, let us follow in this happy work, and he will honor us. The righteous wife wins the soul of her husband by the wisdom of meekness and sobriety (1 Peter 3:1-2). The godly neighbor wins his fellow sinner by the patient energy of faith and love (James 5:19-20). "A soul is a kingdom. As many as we can bring back to God are so many kingdoms reconquered" (Quesnel). Every soul won by this wisdom will be a fresh jewel in the Savior's crown, a polished stone in the temple, in which our Lord will be honored throughout eternity.
31. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner! Every perfection of God is glorified in this dispensation on earth. As a wise Father, he will not give his children free rein to sin. As a holy God, he must show in them his abhorrence of it. As a faithful God, he will make the chastisements of his rod the means of their restoration. But blessed be God, all the penal curse has been taken away. We receive our due on earth, not, as we deserve, in hell. We are punished here, that we might be spared forever and prepared for heaven (Hebrews 12:10).
If the children are scourged, much more are the ungodly and the sinner. See 1 Peter 4:18.