He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Wisdom’s Great Gain: Love For Our Neighbour:
Proverbs 11:9-14
9) An hypocrite with [his]
mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be
delivered.
10) When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when
the wicked perish, [there is]
shouting.
11) By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is
overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12) He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of
understanding holdeth his peace.
13) A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit
concealeth the matter.
14) Where no counsel [is],
the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.
EXPOSITION:
The
this set of proverbs, we find that, when we apply wisdom, we have a great need
to love others and sacrifice ourselves for their benefit and our eventual gain.
9) An hypocrite with [his]
mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be
delivered.
1. Those who display a lack of wisdom by sinful,
insincerely slandering his neighbor can bring him to ruin
2. Those who possess and apply knowledge of God’s
Word can deliver just men through their speech.
A. Our love for others is shown by our
speech. Does our speech uplift or harm
others?
“Till we all come in the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we [henceforth] be no
more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in
wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in
love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:” (Ephesians 4:13-15)
10) When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when
the wicked perish, [there is]
shouting.
1. When those who live according to the laws of
God are welcomed and encouraged…. Their fellow citizens are happy in the midst of God’s blessings.
2. Once they have receive and appreciate the
blessings of God, the citizens shout for joy when those who are rebellious and
disobedient to God are removed from their country (realizing more blessing
await them). The removal of the wicked involve
them being removed from the general population.
This can take place by them being driven out from the people, death penalty,
imprisonment etc etc.
B. Our love for others is shown by taking a
stand against sin and those who abuse others, while upholding and encouraging
those who are sacrifice and help to others.
“The righteous shall
rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the
wicked. So that a man shall say,
Verily [there is] a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth
in the earth.” (Psalms 58:10-11)
11) By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is
overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
1. When God’s people speak well of a city, pray
for her, support her Godly laws and goals and work for the cities good, she
becomes great and dominate.
2. When those who are wicked speak against the city,
opposing her Godly laws, seeking to create unrest and rebellion the city can be
overcome, taken, and pillaged.
C. Our love for our fellow citizens should cause
us to support the Godly laws of our city and oppose those who would desire to
lead the country away from the Scriptural principles and authority God has
given to her.
(Note
this is one of the great dangers of the “politically correct” movement. They seek uniformity and equality of both the
sinful and sinless ignoring the dictates of God’s Word. Instead of desiring a country that punishes the
wicked and upholds the righteous… the pc movement says to treat both righteous
and wicked equally, by not standing in support of the righteous by rewarding
them, and not speaking against the sin of the evildoers and punishing them. This goes directly against the responsibilities
God has given to those in authority…
“For rulers are not a
terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the
power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of
God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute]
wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore [ye] must needs
be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. (Romans 13:3-5)
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue [is] a
fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth
the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire
of hell. For every kind of beasts,
and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath
been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man
tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Therewith bless we God,
even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the
similitude of God.” (James 3:5-9)
12) He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of
understanding holdeth his peace.
1. Those who are empty of wisdom will disrespect,
abuse and speak evil against those around him.
2. Those who possess understanding will hold his
peace and be slow to speak against others realizing the great harm that can be
done through false accusations and slanderous speech.
D.
Our love for others is shown by always considering
how our actions will affect others. Many
times, we will be called upon to sacrificially hold back from acting or speaking
for others’ benefits.
“And he spake this parable
unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised
others:” (Luke 18:9)
13) A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit
concealeth the matter.
1. Those whose lifestyle is to gossip and talk
about others will take the cover off of that which is spoken in confidence.
2. Those who are trustworthy will cover over
anything told to them in private.
E.
Our love for others is shown by being trustworthy and discreet in all of our
relationships.
“Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth
out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. [As] coals [are] to
burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer [are]
as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” (Proverbs 26:20-22)
14) Where no counsel [is],
the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.
1. Where
there is no guidance, those around us will fail, be overcome, and ruined
2. When many advisors are heard and many
opinions are considered, the one seeking
advice will be delivered and gain victory
F.
Our love for others is shown by our willingness to become involved in other’s
lives by having concern for others and their wellbeing, giving Godly counsel,
and helping them to become successful in their endeavors.
“Without counsel purposes
are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22)
SUMMARY:
In
these proverbs we have seen that:
1.
those who have been cleansed and justified by God can understand His will and
desire to obey Him. They are removed
from the condemnation of their sin and the eternal judgment reserved for the
guilty.
2.
those who are guilty of sin and condemned in God’s sight, have chosen the path
of sin upon which they have traveled.
They have eternal judgment awaiting them of which there will be no
excuse.
The
section on the gift of righteousness will continue in the next devotional (vs
7-8).
May
we all choose to speak words of wisdom, knowing that they will result in
blessings to both the speaker and the hearers.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
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