Proverbs 11: 10 & 11 People Reflect on Their Municipalities

The type of people in a town, city or even a country, will give that “municipality” a specific reputation. Today’s verses touch on this topic.

Proverbs 11: 10 & 11 (NKJV)

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

First, let’s look at the definitions of the main words, that we haven’t studied before, in these verses:
1. city: A center of population, commerce, and culture
2. perish: To die or be destroyed, especially in a violent or untimely manner
3. jubilation: a feeling of great joy and celebration

4. exalted : Elevated in rank, character, or status.
5. overthrown : To bring about the downfall or destruction of…

Both of our verses today start with the effects that people that are righteous and upright, have on helping a city to prosper. These people follow God and/or His wise ways and their lives will be blessed because of it. When the righteous are blessed (“when it goes well with…” AND when they are receiving “blessings”) then the city or area that they live in will also be blessed because they will have more to spend, and more ways to help their neighbors. We have seen examples of this principle before in our United States history, when our country was blessed because we had a morally based society… one that was basically based on a Judeo-Christian heritage. We became one of the strongest, most blessed, AND most giving countries in the world.

Over the past 50 or so years, we have seen things turn around and start to go downhill. As the ratio of those that follow righteous, moral lives compared to those that are following wicked ways, tip the other way, our cities, towns and society in general are having more and more problems.

Verse 10 tells us that when the “wicked perish,” there is “jubilation.” Think about the celebrations that occurred when Saddam Hussein’s reign was overthrown to get a good picture of the truth of this verse.

The last part of verse 11 says that cities are “overthrown” by the mouth (or words) of the wicked. We have seen this on a small scale with the gangs pushing each other to do things that continually grow worse, and we have seen it on a large scale through the words of Adolf Hitler that ended in a World War.

We have even seen examples in the past year or so of whole cities and towns that are perishing and being foreclosed on because of the lies of wicked, greedy men that gave loans to so many when they really couldn’t afford it.

Our lives DO make a difference to those who live round us, and we need to be sure that they see the effects of God’s love and work in our lives, for that may be the only way they will ever think about learning about God.

Proverbs 10: 6 & 7

Our two verses for today give more contrasts between the righteous and the wicked.

Proverbs 10 6 & 7 (NKJV)

⁶ Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
⁷ The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.

When we studied verse 3, a few studies ago, we found that to be “righteous,” means to be morally upright, or without guilt or sin. These verses tell us that if we follow God’s path for us and “seek… His righteousness,” which is only found by letting Him cover our sins with His blood sacrifice, the we will have blessings put on us, and I assume that means on our lives, and it also says that our “memory” will be blessed.

I find that last to be very interesting, and three thoughts came to my mind. I would love for that to mean that I could claim this verse and get rid of my “faulty” memory, and I think I will pray about that!

It could also mean that if you lead a “righteous” life, you will have wonderful memories of all those blessings that have been given to you. The last thought, was that those that remember us… those family and friends or people we might have mentored, will receive blessings when they remember the things our lives have taught them. It might be a mixture of these things, for they are all supported by other Biblical principals.

The second parts of both of these verses speak of “the wicked.” One commentary I read on the meaning of this verse was that the violence spoken of through their lips will eventually overwhelm them. They will follow the lead of their lips and words because out of the hearts of men, come their words, and the death that comes from a sinful life, will cause even their name to rot. No one will WANT to remember an evil person, so it will “rot” and disintegrate into nothing as time goes on (in a “forever” timeline). Also, while something is in the process of “rotting,” it stinks and those that have to deal with it will be affected by the “smell.”

Proverbs 9: 13 – 18

These last six verses of Chapter 9 contrast with the verses from our last study. Those verses were about wisdom, and these are about “Folly,” as again portrayed as a harlot or adulterous woman.

Proverbs 9: 13 - 18 (NKJV)
The Way of Folly

13 A foolish woman is clamorous;

She is simple, and knows nothing.

14 For she sits at the door of her house,

On a seat by the highest places of the city,

15 To call to those who pass by,

Who go straight on their way:

16 “ Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”;

And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

17 “ Stolen water is sweet,

And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

” 18 But he does not know that the dead are there,

That her guests are in the depths of hell. (Sheol)

Verse 13 speaks of a “foolish woman” that “is simple, and knows nothing.” This “foolish” woman is loud and obnoxious (clamorous) and sits near her house, but on the way, or path to the high places where the other verses have told us that the young person should go to so that they can study wisdom. She calls out and tries to distract those that are trying to “go straight on their way…”

I see a picture here of the way that the world and “evil” sits in wait and tries to distract us from following the paths that God wants us to follow. Those that try to follow the “straight” path, often find their way surrounded by temptations that would call us from that path.

Verse 16 continues the message that most of the chapters that we have studied have put forth, in that this “woman of evil” targets those that are “simple” or “lack understanding.” She tempts these foolish young people the same way that they are being tempted today… by telling them that the sinful thing that she is presenting is “good.” This is the same lie that those that get into drugs, alcohol, etc. get started… even those of us that crave too many carbs, sweets or other things that are bad for us.

Water and bread, are things that we NEED, but we must be careful to use it wisely, in the ways that God created it to be used. It is the same with all the things that God put on this earth to bless us, but that have gotten twisted and misused.

The last verse warns that those that would follow the ways of “Folly” or foolishness, don’t realize that they are on a path AWAY from God and the LIFE He gives, and that following this other path will, eventually, lead to their death. These verses conclude with, “her guests are in the depths of hell.”

Proverbs 9: 7 - 12

Today’s verses speak of how we should handle scoffers. They also speak of the differences between scoffers and wise men. The Online dictionary defines a "scoffer" as: "someone who jeers or mocks or treats something with contempt," and in this case it would be someone who is treating God's Word and wisdom this way.

Proverbs 9: 7 - 12 (NKJV)

7 “ He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,

And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.

8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;

Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;

Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

10 “ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For by me your days will be multiplied,

And years of life will be added to you.

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,

And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

I found verses 7 & 8 to be very interesting. They tell us NOT to even try to correct scoffers because, apparently it very rarely, if ever, does any good, and all it DOES do is cause arguments that bring “shame” on the person who is trying to help and drives the “scoffer” away from you.

It may even cause him to “hate” you. Worse, if you try to rebuke a “wicked man,” you might even come to bodily harm yourself!

I know that there are people like David Wilkerson, that wrote “The Cross and the Switchblade,” that have been given special grace and power by the Holy Spirit to work with people of this “nature,” but they have received a specific “call” of God. For the average person, I think that we should remember that arguing with someone like these that are mentioned, just causes more problems. I think the best thing we can do is to keep them in prayer, until, or unless they come "seeking"!

The end of verse 8, and all of verse 9 tells us that those that are “seeking” wisdom, or “wise men” react quite differently to rebukes (done properly), instructions, and teaching. THESE type of people will see the wisdom in your “help” and end up loving you, becoming “still wiser” and add to his “learning.”

The principle from Prov. 1:7, which says “7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (NKJV)” is sort of repeated in verse 10 of this chapter, and this verse goes on to say that “the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” As I mentioned when we studied Proverbs 1:7, This is a scripture that is quoted quite often… and we see this one illustrated way too often in our world today… at least the part about “fools.” (For those that weren’t with us at the beginning of our study of this book, I will repeat the paragraph from that study)

The Hebrew words that are translated as “fool” in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote one who is “morally deficient,” which is the ultimate end of those who turn away from seeking to become wise and/or those who reject discipline in their lives. It is easy to see that more and more of our young people are turning away from seeking wisdom from their elders, and are rejecting discipline in their lives. This verse tells us that this is the reason that our country is becoming more and more devoid of morals in so many of our youth.

Verse 11 also repeats a principle that has been put forth in our earlier studies in Proverbs 3:2. It states, again, that having “wisdom” will add to the life that we are given. We also learned in that study, that King Hezekiah DID ADD YEARS (15 to be exact) to his life because he understood God and His principles. (See 2 Kings 20: 1 – 6)

Our last verse today tells us that we can’t “make” anyone else wise… we can only work on making ourselves wise. We can help those who are also searching for wisdom, but it is up to them to seek, search for, ask, and then put the principles into their lives so that they can grow in wisdom. It goes on to say that being a scoffer, will ALSO be up to you and the way you decide to live, and you will have to bear the results of that choice.

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 7:21- 27

Today we are going to finish chapter 7 and this current discussion on adultery. The bulk of this chapter, as we have seen, is written as a sort of “play” that portrays the seduction of a “foolish” young man by an adulterous wife whose husband is away on a business trip. The young man was out in the evening (dark) and sort of “looking for trouble,” and this woman was using all of the five senses to cause “the lusts of the flesh” to rise up within him. Now let’s look at today’s verses.

Proverbs 7:21- 27 (NKJV)

21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield,

With her flattering lips she seduced him.

22 Immediately he went after her,

as an ox goes to the slaughter,

Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
(Footnote: some versions read: as a dog to bonds,

while another reads: as a lamb . . . to bonds—)

23 Till an arrow struck his liver.

As a bird hastens to the snare,

He did not know it would cost his life.

24 Now therefore, listen to me, my children;

Pay attention to the words of my mouth:

25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,

Do not stray into her paths;

26 For she has cast down many wounded,

And all who were slain by her were strong men.

27 Her house is the way to hell, [Sheol]

Descending to the chambers of death.

As we see in verse 21, her seduction has worked, and he has followed her. Verse 22 tells us that he has followed her “as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks.” The next verse lets us know that this young man’s foolishness would cost him his very life.

The last four verses of the chapter expound on the moral of this story that has been told by a parent to their child. The young one is told to “pay attention” and “Don’t GO there…” Even “strong men” have been destroyed by this method.

Venereal diseases were just as rampant back then as they are now, and several of the kings of the Bible expired from them. Spiritually speaking, this was also one of the ten commandments and breaking it would ultimately send the foolish young person to hell.

I praise God that our sins have been covered and we can ask for forgiveness if we have fallen into this trap somewhere in our lives. God can heal both our physical and our spiritual infidelities and bring us redemption and freedom from their penalties through the work of Jesus, His son, if we make Him the Lord of our lives.

Note: Picture by Linda Brewer