Proverbs 11

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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Proverbs Chapter 11

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Solomon, Agur, and Lemuel

Date Penned: (970-931 BC)

Overview: Wisdom to Teach People to Live Godly (c 1-31)

Theme: Wisdom for All People (c 10-24)

Message: A Godly Balance (v 1-32)

Proverbs 11 Commentary

(11:4) Day of Wrath - The "day of wrath" refers to when we die or to the time when God settles accounts with all people. On Judgment Day, each person will stand alone, accountable for all his or her deeds. At that time, no amount of riches or charitable donations will buy reconciliation with God. On that day, only love for God and obedience to him will count. Those who put their faith in Jesus will find their sins forgiven and their accounts settled.

(11:7-8) 2 Paths - These verses, like 10:3, contrast two paths in life but are not intended to apply universally to all people in all circumstances. God's people are not exempt from problems or struggles. If people follow God's wise path, however, he can rescue them from trouble. But wicked people will fall into their own traps, with no one to help them. When God's people suffer, they can be sure they will ultimately be rescued from eternal pain and death and live with God forever.

(11:9) The Weapon of Words - Words can be used either as weapons to destroy people or as tools to heal and build them up. Sadly, many people receive more destructive comments than comments that heal and edify. You can treat every person you meet today as either a demolition site or a construction opportunity. Your words will make a difference. Will they be weapons for destruction or tools for construction? What you say to others matters more than you can imagine.

(11:14) Wise Counsel - A good leader needs and uses wise counselors. One person's perspective and understanding are severely limited. He or she may not have all the facts or may be blinded by bias, emotions, or wrong impressions. To be a wise leader at home, at church. or at work. seek the counsel of others and be open to their advice. Then, After considering all the facts, make your decision.

(11:19) Finding Life - What does it mean that godly people find life? It means that the wisdom that comes only from God (as long as you pursue it and tap into it) will make the hours of the day more profitable and the years more fruitful (see 9:11). Godly people have the potential to live life more fully each day. Further, godly people need not fear death because God gives those who believe in him eternal life (John 11:25). By contrast, evil people not only die without hope but also miss out on the fullness of life available here on earth.

(11:22) True Beauty - Physical attractiveness without common sense and wisdom soon fades into ugliness. We should develop the character qualities that help us make wise decisions, not just enhance our images. Not everyone who looks good is pleasant to live or work with. While taking good care of your body and appearance has important benefits, it is more important to learn to be beautiful in character, making wise decisions and treating others with respect.

(11:24-25) God's Character - These two verses present a paradox: How can we become richer by being generous? The world says to hold on to as much as possible, but God blesses those who give freely of their possessions, time, and energy. When we give, God supplies us with more so that we can give more. In addition, giving helps us gain an accurate perspective on our possessions. We realize they were never really ours to begin with; they were given to us by God to be used to help others. What do we gain by giving? Freedom from enslavement to our possessions. the jv of helping others, and a deeper relationship with God through an increased awareness of our dependence on him.

(11:29) Our families - One of the greatest resources God gives us is the family. Ideally, that's where we should find acceptance, encouragement, discipline, and counsel. Bringing trouble on your family--whether through anger or through an exaggerated desire for independence--is foolish because it cuts you off from all they can provide. Do whatever you can to strive for healing, communication, and understanding in your family.

(11:39) A Wise Person - A wise person is a model of a meaningful life. In the same way a tree attracts people to its fruit, a wise person's sense of purpose attracts others who want to know how they, too, can find meaning. Gaining wisdom. then. can be the first step in influencing others to come to faith in God. Leading people to God is important because it Keeps us in touch with him while also offering eternal help to others. ensure that all will one day be made right. Those who are godly and faithful will be rewarded for their faith: and the wicked will be punished for their sins Don't think for a moment that "it won't matter" or "nobody will know" or "we won't get caught" (see also 1 Peter 4:18)

Dave Burnette's Life Application

Grieving God

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue with the Book of Proverbs with Chapter 11. Today's text shows a continuation of Wisdom for daily living. What catches my eye is how the Lord says a false balance is an abomination, but a life balanced with the Wisdom of the Lord is His delight. In making applications, we see that we can please or displease the Lord with our decisions or lifestyle as we see the Lord loves us and cares how we choose how to live our lives. Today, some believe they can live their lives as they choose, but what they fail to realize is their open and blatant sin hurts and grieves a Holy God. How about you? Did you know your sin grieves God? Let us learn from our text today to remember that our God loves us, and when we sin, we grieve a Holy God who gave His life so that we can be forgiven of sin.

Proverbs 11

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Proverbs 11

¹A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

²When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

³The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

⁴Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

⁵The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

⁶The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

⁷When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

⁸The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

⁹An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

¹⁰When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

¹¹By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

¹²He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

¹³A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

¹⁴Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

¹⁵He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

¹⁶A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

¹⁷The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

¹⁸The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

¹⁹As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

²⁰They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

²¹Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

²²As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

²³The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

²⁴There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

²⁵The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

²⁶He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

²⁷He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

²⁸He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

²⁹He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

³⁰The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

³¹Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

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