Proverbs 11: 21 Punishment & Deliverance

Today’s verse contrasts, from a different angle, the difference between those that are wicked and those that are righteous.

Proverbs 11: 21 (NKJV)
21 Though they join forces,[Literally- hand to hand] the wicked will not go unpunished
But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

Posterity: 1. future generations 2. all of one's descendants


This verse lets us know that, even though wicked men join together to cause problems for others, they will eventually be punished. We know, from so many verses in God’s Word, the Bible, that even if they “SEEM” to prosper here on earth, if they don’t change their ways and repent (turn away from) their evil doing, then they will end up in Hell.

Many people DO NOT want to think about there really being a Hell or place of everlasting fire, but there are so many places in the Bible that they have to ignore to continue “hiding their head in the sand.” (Matt. 5: 22 & 29-30 – Matt. 18:9 -- Luke 16:23 – 2 Peter 2:4 & Rev. 20: 11-15 are just a few ) Many people try to make God into something that He is not, by ignoring the things they DON’T want to hear from His Word, but that will not work for He IS God and He is the same yesterday, today AND tomorrow.

Throughout the whole Bible, we find examples of the countries that were practicing evil things, and worshiping “gods” that they created in their own minds, that ended up being WIPED OUT TOTALLY for doing that. Many of the prophecies for the end times speak of a “great army” coming against God’s people—“they join forces” – but God, Himself, fights for those that are following Him!

THAT brings us to the second half of today’s verse, for its promise is that future generations, or all of a person’s descendants of those that follow Him, WILL be delivered, and that tends to mean that they will eventually end up in Heaven! NOW is the time to chose which side we want to be on!

Proverbs 11: 4 Riches vs Righteousness

The verse we are studying today, warns us not to put our trust in riches, but in being right with God. We will use verses from the Bible with God’s definitions of the major ideas from today’s verse.

Proverbs 11: 4 (NKJV)

4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death.


God is a God of Love, and as such, He must judge evil. There is coming, a “Day of Wrath,” when God WILL pour out His judgment on those that refuse to accept Him as their Lord and Jesus as their savior! He gave up His son to save us and there is nothing further He can do. We don’t have to face this… It is our choice. Here is what God has to say about the “Day of Wrath” in Isaiah 13:9-13 (NKJV)


9 Behold, the day of the LORD comes,
Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger,
To lay the land desolate;
And He will destroy its sinners from it.

10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations

Will not give their light;

The sun will be darkened in its going forth,

And the moon will not cause its light to shine.

11 “ I will punish the world for its evil,

And the wicked for their iniquity;

I will halt the arrogance of the proud,

And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

12 I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold,

A man more than the golden wedge of Ophir.

13 Therefore I will shake the heavens,

And the earth will move out of her place,
In the wrath of the LORD of hosts

And in the day of His fierce anger.

Psalms 49: 16-20 (NIV) warns us not to be overawed with “riches,” because riches, in themselves, will not bring life.

16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich,

when the splendor of his house increases;
17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies,

his splendor will not descend with him.
18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed—

and men praise you when you prosper-

19 he will join the generation of his fathers,
who will never see the light of life .
20 A man who has riches without understanding

is like the beasts that perish.

NOTE: It is the man that has "riches WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING" that will perish. It isn't the riches that bring about condemnation, it is putting them before God that does.

Psalms 15: 1 – 5 gives us a definition from the Bible, of the person that God feels is “righteous,” and who will end up in Heaven…

1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
2 He whose walk is blameless

and who does what is righteous,

who speaks the truth from his heart
3 and has no slander on his tongue,

who does his neighbor no wrong

and casts no slur on his fellowman,
4 who despises a vile man

but honors those who fear the LORD,

who keeps his oath

even when it hurts,
5 who lends his money without usury

and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things

will never be shaken.

Now, let's read, again our verse from today: Proverbs 11: 4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. After reading God’s definitions, I found this verse to be much more meaningful and significant in it’s meaning for me… I hope that you did too!

Proverbs 8: 22 – 31 Revisited…

In our last study, we were treated to a glimpse of God’s mind during His creation of our Earth. The scriptures in other areas of the Bible tell us that Jesus (the Word at that time and later embodied in flesh) was there with God, helping in the creation. Today, I want to go over these verses again, in just a bit more detail, looking at them as God’s Wisdom—the other side of the same coin.

These first two verses tells us that God has had “wisdom” from the time before earth… before time began being counted. God IS wisdom and is “outside” of the dimension of “time.”

22 “ The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,

Before His works of old.

23 I have been established from everlasting,

From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

Verses 24 - 29 let us know that God’s Wisdom came before the seas, the mountains, the earth, field, or even the dust, and by that wisdom, He made these things. He had a plan already worked out for human beings, and He used His wisdom to create a world that would be perfect for those humans that He planned to create. He thought of everything BEFORE He created it.

24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,

When there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled,

Before the hills, I was brought forth;
26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields,

Or the primal dust of the world.

27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there,

When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

28 When He established the clouds above,

When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,

29 When He assigned to the sea its limit,

So that the waters would not transgress His command,

When He marked out the foundations of the earth,

The last verses for today, picture God as a “Master Craftsman” that was filled with “delight” each day as He lovingly created a world that He PLANNED to be, eventually, inhabited by men and the sons of men… These verses end by telling us that God’s “delight was with the sons of men.”

30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;

And I was daily His delight,

Rejoicing always before Him,

31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world,

And my delight was with the sons of men.

Proverbs 8: 18 - 21

Today’s verses discuss how wisdom is related to wealth. They speak of “true” wealth of the soul. They go on to say that once “true wealth” is gained, THEN they seem to indicate that earthly wealth may come, but the treasures that are “laid up in heaven” will definitely be there.

Proverbs 8: 18 - 21(NKJV)

18 Riches and honor are with me,

Enduring riches and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,

And my revenue than choice silver.

20 I traverse the way of righteousness,

In the midst of the paths of justice,

21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,

That I may fill their treasuries.

Verse 18 tells us that when we use Godly wisdom, “riches and honor” will be a part of our lives. Earthly “riches” are NOT “enduring.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV) says: 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus, who is teaching in this passage, goes on to say, in Matthew 6:24-33:
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Jesus, being the SON of God, was our true example of Godly Wisdom, come down to earth. He didn’t have a lot of earthly riches, just enough to live on, and he wasn’t worried about it because he had a wealth of the “true riches” in his heart. He trusted with the complete trust of KNOWING his loving father (God) would take care of his earthly needs, and that by “sowing” God’s words of wisdom in his teachings to others, he would reap a mighty harvest.

He, as God’s example to us, truly showed us how to walk in the “way of righteousness” and in the “paths of justice.” If we follow his example and use wisdom to walk in his footsteps, then we will “inherit wealth,” and have our “treasuries,” the ones that really matter, filled.

Jesus walked this earth as a man, so that he could truly FEEL our pain, trials, AND temptations, but by keeping his eyes centered on God and HIS wisdom AT ALL TIMES, he was able to live a sinless life and be able to be “obedient, even unto death.” He now has ALL of the vast riches of heaven at his disposal. Truly, God’s wisdom ultimately led him to “inherit wealth,” and we can be “joint heirs” with him. We just need to “keep our eyes on the prize…!”

Proverbs 8: 12 & 13

In today’s verses, “Wisdom” continues to speak, using words that show contrasts to bring out the differences between being wise and being foolish. They contrast knowledge, discretion and being prudent with pride, arrogance and a perverse mouth.

Proverbs 8: 12 & 13 (NKJV)
12 “ I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,

And find out knowledge and discretion.

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;

Pride and arrogance and the evil way

And the perverse mouth I hate.

The first of today’s verses, names three attributes of wisdom. Prudence, is an attribute that we looked at in our last study. Verse 12 also says that wisdom brings knowledge and discretion. In past studies, we noted that knowledge is NOT the same as wisdom, for many people have a lot of “knowledge” but they never put it into proper action. For example, we can “know” that peroxide can help to disinfect and heal wounds, but it would not be wise to treat all wounds with peroxide automatically.

We can “know” that a friend is doing something wrong, and we might even have a really good idea on how the problem can be fixed, BUT wisdom will act with discretion, and wait for God’s timing (through prayer) to give an opening for a gentle nudge in the proper direction instead of jumping in with both feet and making enemies that won’t listen anyway. We need to learn to control our tongues (one of MY big problems!!!)

Verse 13 speaks of the “Fear of the Lord,” and we have discussed in previous studies how this “fear” is more of a respectful, awe of His power, than a quaking terror of being hurt or injured by Him. If we respect His power and are in awe of His love for us, then we start to understand that His ways and rules are for our protection, and we will stay on His paths and not be drawn to evil ones.

If we are too prideful and arrogant to have respect and awe for God, (I will do it MYSELF, because I KNOW ME BEST) then we are putting ourselves above Him, and will tend listen to “our” friends that have “perverse lips” (peer pressure) that will, too often, lead us down wrong paths.

The Bible tells us to be very careful of who we choose to be close to for this reason. I leave you with these two verses: Proverbs 16:28 (NKJV) 28 A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends AND Proverbs 11:13 (NKJV) 13 A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

Proverbs 8: 4 - 11

Yesterday, we saw, in the first 3 verses of this chapter, “Wisdom” portrayed as a woman crying out to those that would listen. This is the theme in this chapter. Today’s verses go on to tell us some of the attributes of wisdom, and end with the admonition that earths riches “cannot be compared with her…”

Proverbs 8: 4 - 11 (NKJV)

4 “ To you, O men, I call,

And my voice is to the sons of men.

5 O you simple ones, understand prudence,

And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,

And from the opening of my lips will come right things;

7 For my mouth will speak truth;

Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;

Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

9 They are all plain to him who understands,

And right to those who find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,

And knowledge rather than choice gold;

11 For wisdom is better than rubies,

And all the things one may desire

cannot be compared with her.

We know that all TRUE wisdom is of God, and in our first verses of this section, we are told that He calls out to men and the “sons of men.” Before we come to know God, we are “simple,” as in ignorant, or without understanding, and, as we have seen numerous times in Proverbs so far, we are “fools” in God’s sight. Remember Proverbs 1:7 says “The fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of knowledge…”

When we choose to follow God and His ways through asking Jesus into our lives, then He comes to live in us by His Holy Spirit, and teaches us the things of God. I believe that this also means that He will help us to understand the things that He wants us to know as we read and study His Word.

Scripture tells us that “God’s ways are not our ways…” and so we NEED His Spirit to help us understand His ways. This gift of the Holy Spirit entering into our lives, comes when we are “born again.” Through sin, our spirits died and we need to be “made alive again” through a new birth. I want to make it clear that I am not speaking, here, about the different “gifts of the Holy Spirit” which sometimes gets people confused and can get controversial… I am simply speaking of God’s Spirit that is within us after we’ve decided to follow Him, and THAT is what helps us to understand God’s wisdom.

These verses tell us that God speaks of “excellent things…,” things that are righteous and true. Reminds me of Phil. 4:8 “8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (NKJV)

There is no wickedness or perversity among the words of God. Many times, people accuse God of wickedness and doing perverse things, but they don’t take into account that there is not only a God, but a Satan… and his followers… in this world that hate mankind and do all in their power to turn us from following God. Between these evil forces and the way they have influenced so much in this fallen world, and our own “lusts of the flesh” we may find ourselves in bad situations, but they aren’t authored by the God that loves us and even “paid the price of our sins” Himself!

The last verses in this section teach us that God’s instruction, knowledge, and wisdom is better than silver, gold or rubies, and anything else that might be desirable to us. Nothing can be compared to what God has in store for those who give their lives to following Him and His ways!

Proverbs 6: 18 - 19

In the last study, we started this section that speaks of the 7 things that God hates or finds detestable, and covered the first three. These are often spoken of as the “Seven Deadly Sins.” Today, we will continue with the last four of the “deadly sins.” First, let’s re-read the whole section as a refresher:


Proverbs 6: 18 - 19 (NIV)

16 There are six things the LORD hates,
seven, even, that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

The fourth thing in this list is “a heart that devises wicked schemes." Again, this is the opposite of the love that we are to show others. The “heart,” in God’s Word, usually indicates the deep, inner “being” or “soul” of a person. This is talking about people that continually “bubble up” evil from deep within themselves, instead of overflowing the love of God toward others.


Verse 18 tells us the fifth thing that God hates… it is, “feet that are quick to rush into evil.” All of these things that are mentioned, are examples of the opposite of the way that God wants His people to be. Here, he wants us to STOP… and THINK… and NOT “be quick” to jump into some evil scheme. Often if we do take the time to stop and think, we won’t make the mistakes that will get us into trouble.


Number six on this list is “a false witness who pours out lies.” This is different from the second thing on the list in that it has to do with being a “false witness” and not just a plain liar. A “false witness” harms another person, and often this would lead to punishment or death for that person.



The last thing on this inventory is, “a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” The word “brother” has many definitions, but the one this most closely calls for is, “One who shares a common ancestry, allegiance, character, or purpose with another or others.” This could be our neighbors, our kinsmen or family members, members of our church group… any group of people that we belong to that have ties of some kind. We must be very careful when we speak to others, that we don’t gossip or otherwise say things that will stir up problems between people, for this is something that God actually says HE hates!