Proverbs 11:6-10

 

Prov 11:6 (KJB)

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

 

Transgressors - The wicked

Naughtiness - Lustful craving or wickedness

 

Here God once again compares the lifestyles and focus of the saved and unsaved. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them and as we have previously seen, this righteousness is not one which is self-generated but one that is given to the Christian by Christ upon salvation. It is this imputed righteousness from Christ which will deliver the Christian on the last day. On the contrary, the unsaved will be taken in their own lusts and those lusts which have not been removed from them by salvation will be counted against them on judgment day and will result in them being cast into an eternal hell. This can apply while they are still living on this earth. Many who have craved after things have allowed their lives to be taken up in some obsession which only caused them destruction.

 

Prov 11:7 (KJB)

When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

 

Perish and Perisheth - Destroyed, ruined, or exterminated

Expectation - Long for or to hope for

 

Wicked men always have a desire for power and wealth, however, when a wicked man dies his desires die with him. No longer does the accumulation of wealth and power play a part in his life, instead when he is resurrected, he will face the judgment because all he thought of was material goods and how much he could amass. Just as the wicked man’s desires perish, so is the hope of all the unjust in the world. Whatever hope they had is gone and all they can look forward to is judgment and damnation.

 

Prov 11:8 (KJB)

The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

 

Delivered - Separated or pulled out

Stead - Instead of

 

The righteous, who are the wise in Proverbs, realize that there are consequences for sinning beyond what may be immediate. Since the righteous have the wisdom of God, their understanding separates them from any possible trouble which may lead to sin. This is the advantage of studying the Scriptures. It teaches us to avoid the sinful situations in this world. Now here is the essence of the foolish. The wise avoid evil and sinful situations but the foolish run headlong into them and instead of realizing that there is danger, they have the belief that they are wise enough to handle any consequences which may occur. When a bad situation starts to get out of hand, the foolish will lose control and the situation will then control them, also none of the wicked will be able to handle the consequences of Judgment Day.

 

Prov 11:9 (KJB)

An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

 

Hypocrite - Impious, profane, or impure

 

Here is another contrast between the foolish and the wise. The foolish, here described as a hypocrite, uses the tool of gossip and slander to destroy the reputation of his neighbor. It does not matter if the hypocrite is right, he still has no business destroying a person’s reputation. The word “hypocrite” here is apropos because whatever the hypocrite is accusing his neighbor of, he has sins which are also piled to the stars and if they were made public, his reputation would be ruined. (Rom 2:1 KJV) Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. The evil people always like to destroy the reputation of others because in the world’s sight, it makes them look righteous until another comes along and examines his life. (Prov 18:17 KJV) He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

 

On the other hand, the wise person does not become involved in the slander of others because they know that they too have sins that could be brought out, even though they have been forgiven and removed by God. The world will never allow a saved person to forget their sins. I have a good friend named David Berkowitz. The world knew him and still does as the “Son of Sam.” However, he has become saved and in God’s sight he is now blameless because all the sins of his past have been nailed to the cross and removed. The world still views him as a murderer but God sees him as a redeemed son who will spend eternity with Him. We must keep in mind that the grace of God saves murderers too. Moses was a murderer and the Apostle Paul, before he was saved, was complicit in the stoning (murder) of Stephen, yet God saved these individuals and used them mightily.

 

Prov 11:10 (KJB)

When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

 

When it goeth well - Because of the good

 

Here is a verse which emphasizes the fact that when the righteous are in authority in a city or even a nation, the people rejoice because governmental corruption is at its lowest point. The people rejoice because they know that the wicked do not rule. When the wicked rule, they make it very hard for the people by increasing taxes and other forms of control. (Prov 14:34 KJV) Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. God can bless the nation or city which is not ruled by corruption. The verse further goes on to say when the wicked perish there is even shouting of great joy. Those who have been tried and found guilty have been removed from the land and that even causes the people to rejoice by even shouting. This means that the judicial system is working properly and according to the laws of the land. Whenever the wicked rule, a country suffers but when the righteous rule the country prospers. There is also a major spiritual principle here. When the righteous or the saved are teaching the Bible, the people rejoice because they know that they are getting the truth of Scripture but when the unsaved, who are unqualified to teach the Bible, begin to teach the Bible the people will not rejoice because the whole counsel of God is not being preached and the people warned about impending judgment. When these false teachers are removed, then the saved of the land will rejoice.

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