Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11 is a profound reminder that the pursuit of righteousness yields lasting rewards. It encourages us to steer clear of the deceptive allure of wickedness, pride, and folly, which only lead to destruction. This chapter is a call to integrity, generosity, and prudence, virtues that not only bless the individual but also impact the community positively

1. Righteousness Is a Delight to God(vv.1-4)

This proverb begins with a summary statement to help us understand the main focus of this chapter.

A Balance (scale)—weights would be lightened or increased to trick the consumer. This would allow a person to profit dishonestly.

Dt. 25:13-16 ““You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small. You shall not have in your house two kinds of measures, a large and a small. A full and fair weight you shall have, a full and fair measure you shall have, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the Lord your God.”

Pr.11.1 “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.”

Pr. 11.4 “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”

These two verses help us see that whatever is gained dishonestly is of no value in the end, on the day of wrath.

A person will not care what they gain in this life when they stand before the Lord, but on that day the righteous will be delivered from death.

When I was a cop I was told, It doesn’t matter what gear you have if you don’t know how to use it, when you are dying all alone on a dark street.

2. The Righteous Are Delivered (vv.5-8)

Proverbs 11:5-6 are a pair of proverbs that further describe the fate of the wicked and the righteous.

v.5—The righteous keep their way right.

The treacherous (renegade) falls by his own wickedness.

In essence, his unjust scales are ultimately what condemn him.

v.8—Is saying this very thing. That the wicked are caught in their own trap , but the righteous is delivered.

Pr. 28:10 “Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.”

The implication is that when a righteous person dies, his hope lives on.

v.9—The righteous are delivered by their knowledge.

This means that the righteous are knowledgable in the things of God (Rom. 12:2.

v.10 implies that the knowledge about the righteous is a blessing to those around them.

v.11—city is exalted

v. 12—neighbors are built up, not torn down.

v.13—because the righteous are discerning and wise in what should be shared.

3. The Righteous Know the Value of Wisdom.

v.14—The unrighteous trust in their own ways, but the wisest plans come from an group of counselors.

This type of wisdom is not measured in earthly terms. Like wealth and influence, but grace.

Pr. 11:16 “A gracious woman gets a greater reward (honor), which is more valuable than the riches of violent men.

v.17—Likewise, a kind heart is full of health and well-being, but a ruthless spirit makes a man sick.

You know the person who is negative about everything, they are miserable, but a kind person is a delight to others and enjoys peace of mind.

v.19—One leads to life and the other to death.

v.21—Earlier the righteous were seen to be a blessing to those around them, and here the righteous are to be assured that their descendents will be delivered.

This doesn’t mean they will be saved on the Day of the Lord, but they in many ways enjoy indirect grace from God as they grow up in the house of righteous parents.

v.22—Is a funny way to make the point that wisdom is worth more than gold.

We are consumed with outward beauty, but here we see that outward beauty doesn’t mean much.

v.16—Remember, the gracious woman gets honor—not followers, but honor before God and his people.

4. The Righteous Inherit the Tree of Life

As Christians we know that we have been made righteous, but do you know that you have been made rich?

Rich in holiness, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control...

Pr.11:24 “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”

When we know the riches we have in Christ, that we are complete in him, we are better prepared to give freely because we know it is truly better to give than to receive.

The fruit of this way of living is the life!

Now and forever more.

Application |

Guard your life from deceit and be a blessing to those in your life.

Gain the wisdom of God above all else.

Give freely of the good news you have received.