Proverbs 11: 5 & 6 Righteousness vs Wickedness/Lust

Both of our verses today, speak to us of those that are righteous as opposed to those that are wicked or lustful. As we have seen throughout our study of this book, this is the main theme of Proverbs, and is repeated in many different ways to emphasize it’s importance.

Proverbs 11: 5 & 6 (NKJV)

5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct

(Or make smooth or straight) his way aright,
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,

But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust (or their own desires).

As we have seen before, those that follow Godly paths in their lives are blessed by God. They are given wisdom and guidance from God which directs them in the ways they should go, and delivers them from problems that come up in their lives.

We have also seen that those who choose NOT to follow God, but their own lusts of the flesh, become more and more wicked. God has two definitions for the word, “unfaithfulness.” The one, most everyone is familiar with, speaks of one spouse betraying the other by having a lustful relationship with someone else.

The other definition has to do with not being faithful to God and His ways of love. We see this clearly in the following verses:

Leviticus 6:2-5 (NIV)

2 "If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the LORD by deceiving his neighbor about something entrusted to him or left in his care or stolen, or if he cheats him, 3 or if he finds lost property and lies about it, or if he swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that people may do- 4 when he thus sins and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or what was entrusted to him, or the lost property he found, 5 or whatever it was he swore falsely about. He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the owner on the day he presents his guilt offering.

In verse 6 of our verses today, we are told that the “unfaithful” WILL be caught, because their lust will lead them on, deeper and deeper into their sinful ways. The verse in Leviticus tells us what types of sin God considers “unfaithfulness” to Him, but it also speaks of being able to make restitution. The verses after this section speak of the blood sacrifices required to pay for these sins, and those of us that have accepted Christ as our Savior, know that He paid that price for our sins.

ALL of us have sinned, and God knows about it, so we have been caught. If we continue to go down the sinful paths, we will fall, but if we turn from them, accept what Christ did for us and choose to be righteous through Him, then we will be blessed and “delivered.”

Proverbs 3: 3 & 4

A quick note: I wanted to let those of you who are following this Bible Study know that I will be trying to post at least every two or three days unless an emergency comes up. At least that is my plan at this time. We will see how the Lord leads. Trying to post everyday just didn’t seem to work out, but I don’t plan to quit at this time by any means… just cut back a bit.

Ok… Now, lets read today’s verses, and then we will take a closer look at them:

Proverbs 3: 3 & 4

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,

4 And so find favor and high esteem

In the sight of God and man.

There are so many verses in the Bible that talk about having "mercy." The online dictionary gives these definitions: mercy – 1. leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice; 2. a disposition to be kind and forgiving; 3. the feeling that motivates compassion 4. alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed.

The Bible tells us that God has mercy on us, and that we should have mercy toward those around us. If we are Christians (trying to be Christ-like) then being merciful should be becoming a way of life for us. If we are in authority over others at work or at home, we should show leniency and compassion whenever it is not detrimental to the growth of the other person.

Sometimes, we are more merciful by disciplining than by “letting it go…” and not letting the person learn from their mistake. This is where weighing the truth and using wisdom (say from looking at the surrounding circumstances very carefully) is so often needed. Snap judgments to often lead to the need for us to apologize to God and to those that were hurt by them.

Our overall mindset should be one of kindness and forgiveness, remembering how much we have been forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice for us. By always keeping this in mind, we will have “the feeling that motivates compassion” toward others that we come into contact with as we travel through this life. Being “compassionate” means that we will “show kindness toward the distressed” and try to help them out of their problems.

True mercy DOES hinge on truth. They go together. Verse 3 says that these two should be “bound around our neck.” To me, I picture them as being hung like a necklace… a piece of adornment and beauty in a person’s life that shows what is written “on the tablet of your heart.” Mercy and truth should be what MOTIVATES us to do the good “works” that are a witness to the fact that God’s love is IN and A PART of our hearts.

We should also remember that Jesus said “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” I would really want God to show those attributes of mercy to me in my life.

Verse 4 tells us that both men AND GOD will see us with “favor and high esteem,” when we live a life that demonstrates mercy that is based on truth. The dictionary gives these definitions for esteem - 1. the condition of being honored; 2. an attitude of admiration; 3. a feeling of delighted approval and liking. Wouldn’t you want other people, and MOST importantly, God, to look on you with a “feeling of delighted approval and liking…” for what you are doing? I know I would!

Proverbs 2:1- 5

Today we will start on the second chapter of Proverbs. The first chapter told where the book came from and gave a very brief verses of the reasons why searching for wisdom was good. Most of the chapter really stressed the problems that turning away from Godly wisdom would cause.

Chapter 2, is just the opposite, and stresses the VALUE of Wisdom and the blessings that seeking it will offer. First, lets go over the text:

Proverbs 2:1- 5 (NKJV): The Value of Wisdom

1 My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,

2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding;

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,

And lift up your voice for understanding,

4 If you seek her as silver,

And search for her as for hidden treasures;

5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,

And find the knowledge of God.

“My son” shows that the allegory (allegory: a story, poem, or picture with an underlying meaning) of a parent speaking to their child continues through this chapter. These words apply both to a male or female child. Verses 1-4 continue to instruct the "child" (read "child of God") that listening “with your heart and not just your ears” and then APPLYING the words of wisdom, will help you to understand the “fear of the LORD.”

James 1:23-25 (NIV)

23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

As we have studied before, this is speaking of the AWE or REVERENCE that a person gains of God when they truly SEEK His face… His character… His love, mercy, AND justice. A God that is fair, may be long-suffering (VERY patient) BUT there will come a time of justice. He paid the price of our sins, but if WE refuse to accept that gift, and turn from His ways of love, then justice is necessary. For some, that place of real fear, if they see the evil that comes from turning from Him, IS a place of mercy for they will turn to Him… Sort of the principle of “No atheists in a foxhole.”

God uses so many ways to turn people to Him, for He loves them all, and each is so different from the next. Some are saved through the whisper of love, others through the guidance of parents or mentors, others through “hitting the bottom” (drug, alcohol, sex, etc.). Some are saved through seeing the mighty, miracle power of God in their OR other’s lives. Some are saved through watching the faith of a saint who refuses to turn away from God though they are going through horrible suffering.

Those of you who have several children or have worked around many children know this very well. Each of those children are so different... a wise parent, teacher, or mentor will realize this and use the guidance, discipline and rewards that apply differently to each child/student. You may be the only "Jesus" they see...

This is what these verses are talking about in this section. Coming to the point of realization that there TRULY IS a Mighty, Awesome, ALL POWERFUL, LOVING God that created us and IS in ultimate charge of this world and of where we will spend eternity, IS the BEGINNING of wisdom. THIS is what will cause us to thirst, hunger, and seek after Him and His will. Godly wisdom to a person that understands this, IS like “silver” or “hidden treasure” for our lives.

Proverbs: Chapter 1: 3 (NKJV)

Last time, we looked at these verses, and went over verse 2, discussing that it is important to study God’s words of wisdom and to find Godly people to associate with and to learn from. Let’s look at these verses again, to refresh my memory, and then go on to verse 3.

2 To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, 3 to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion---“

Proverbs 1:3 Tells me that once I FIND people like that, then I need to be able to receive instruction from them… instructions about wisdom, what justice is, and how to judge (not always people, but often, actions and situations) with justice and equity (fairness, impartiality).

Many situations in life come up when we have to make judgments between people, and we need to use wisdom when they do. This also becomes important if we are parents. We need to use this kind of wisdom when we have to judge situations between children. This is often very hard to do, especially when we’ve had a hard day for whatever reason… and I speak from experience, having raised 6 children and several foster children. This is where cultivation, in our own lives, of the fruits of the Spirit becomes very important.

I was very blessed to have been given a mom that was one of those special people who had the qualities spoken of in these verses. Not only that, but many of her friends, people from our church, also had these qualities, and she firmly believed in “not forsaking the company of the ‘brethren’ so we had several Godly people that we were around regularly.

Today, the world has changed so much that many people don’t have the rock of a Christian family to build a foundation on. They have heard of problems in churches, and about hypocritical people… all the bad things, and may have even been hurt by “church people.” Unfortunately, people are people and not a one of us is perfect, so there ARE no perfect churches. Instead of judging OTHERS, we need to spend our time comparing ourselves to what Jesus wants US to become.

I think that is why Jesus stresses that we need to love and forgive others, AND, in fact, if we DON’T forgive others, we can’t expect forgiveness from Him. That’s why He says to ask God to “forgive us our trespasses/debts AS WE HAVE FORGIVEN those who have trespassed against us…” My main point is, that we need to actively seek out a Christian source of wisdom/modeling to associate with, as well as reading and studying God’s word… if not at a “church,” then at a House Bible Study, or something. This, and reading/listening to, our Bible, is how we “receive instruction…”