Untitled Sermon (5)

Proverbs 11:1-8

Introduction

1. Opening:

1. I don’t know about you but I often wonder why some of our believing friends across the world starve and have very little. And, many people who are rich made their wealth through underhanded and illegal practices.

2. Or we all know stories of those who play a cutthroat game at work and they get promoted, yet the people who go to work and do their job and do it well get demoted.

3. I image that we could even be tempted to say, “Well, if wealth and success comes from that type of practice then I suppose I should do that type of practice.”

2. Statement: Yet, biblically and Intellectually we know that character is superior to wealth.

3. Question: However, we all struggle sometimes seeing the wicked prosper finically, while the righteous starve. How do we know that character is superior to wealth?

4. Answer: This morning I want to show you the polarity between the wise and foolish namely in the their business dealings, attitudes, and their good decision making (Proverbs 11:1-8)

5. Text: Turn with me to Proverbs 11:1-8

1. Character Over Wealth

• In our Business (1)

• In our Attitude (2)

• In our Decisions (3-8)

1 A afalse balance is an abomination to the Lord,

But a bjust weight is His delight.

A false balance

• Not all business is just business.

• BKC: To increase their profits many merchants used two sets of stone weights when weighing merchandise. Lighter stones were placed on the scales when selling (so that a lesser quantity was sold for the stated price), and heavier ones were used when buying (so that more was obtained for the same price). With the absence of coinage, scales were used in most daily commercial transactions.

• DBI:

• During the early development of civilization scales were used to measure weights. Virtually all commercial transactions involved the use of weights and balances. Metal pans were suspended by chords passing into the ends of a tubular beam. The plummet was situated in front of the upright support so that when the articles in the two pans were equal, the exact vertical position of the plummet would be evident.

• Conversely, improper use of scales is used as a symbol of total corruption within a people. Israel is castigated by the prophets for its injustice: using dishonest scales while hypocritically retaining an outward façade of devotion to God, “saying, ‘When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?’—skimping the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales” (Amos 8:5 NIV; cf. Mic 6:11). This injustice not only cheats the buyer but is an abomination to God (Prov 11:1), who created weights and scales (Prov 16:11). In the NT, Jesus enjoins his listeners to judge others justly with an implicit reference to scales: “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Mt 7:2 NIV; cf. Mk 4:24–25; Lk 7:34–38).

• This is a fraudulent instrument used to measure the weight of something.

• The Law speaks about full and just weight:

• Exodus 20:15— 15 “You shall not steal.  

• Leviticus 19:35–36— 35 ‘You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measurement of weight, or capacity. 36 ‘You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin; I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt.

• Deuteronomy 25:13–16— 13 “You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a large and a small. 14 “You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small. 15 “You shall have a full and just weight; you shall have a full and just measure, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you. 16 “For everyone who does these things, everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the Lord your God.  

• The bible speaks about this often: Do not have different sets of weights and measures (Deut. 25:13–15); differing weights and measures are an abomination to the Lord (Prov. 20:10); differing weights are an abomination to the Lord (Prov. 20:23); false scales are not good (Prov. 20:23); a trader with false balances (Hos. 12:7); cheating with dishonest scales (Amos 8:5; Mic. 6:11); the Lord hates dishonest scales (Prov. 11:1); to make the ephah small and the shekel great (Amos 8:5); can I acquit the man with wicked scales and a bag of deceitful weights? (Mic. 6:11); the scant measure that is cursed (Mic. 6:10).

• Is this just balance or the practice of creating false balance?

is an abomination to the Lord,

• Meaning of Abomination

• תֹּעֵבָה tōʿēḇāh:

• BDB: 1. ritual sense: a. Isr.’s sacrifices; לְ ˊת of physical repugnance. b. to God and his people: ˊת of unclean food; worshipper of idols; various objectionable acts; offering of children (עשׂה); idolatrous practices (sts. with other illegal acts) (intermarriage with idolaters); usu. c. pl. noun; of idols; idolatrous objects. 2. ethical sense: a. c. gen. obj. of man. b. to God and his people: ˊת of sacrifice of wicked, his prayers; unchastity; c. עשׂה; cf. תועבות.

• WSTOT: A feminine noun meaning an abomination. This word is primarily understood in the context of the Law. It identifies unclean food (Deut. 14:3); the activity of the idolater (Isa. 41:24); the practice of child sacrifice (Deut. 12:31); intermarriage by the Israelites (Mal. 2:11); the religious activities of the wicked (Prov. 21:27); and homosexual behavior (Lev. 18:22). In a broader sense, the word is used to identify anything offensive (Prov. 8:7).

• DBI: The English words abhor and loathe translate biblical terms that connote the image of turning away from something because of extreme dislike or intolerance. These words are used in reference to both people and God. The primary actor where such language is involved is God, who loathes things of which fallen humans tend to be tolerant. From the divine vantage point God is nauseated by any human activity that is not in accordance with his law (Lev 26:11; Prov 11:1; Ezek 23:18).

• Moody: Dishonesty is serious because it is int he same category as other abominations, including sexual immorality, idolatry, occult practices, child sacrifice, and lying.

• The Heidelberg Catechism says this about the believers observance of the 8th commandment: God forbids not only those thefts, and robberies,b which are punishable by the magistrate; but he comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices, whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbour: whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise,d false coins, usury, or by any other way forbidden by God; as also all covetousness,f all abuse and waste of his gifts.

But a just weight

• A just weight is a correct tool or equipment used by merchants and builders.

• Kendall suggests that by having just weights we are like God in the sense that he is just and we are expected to be just as well. He outlines what our justice as individuals should look like towards our neighbor

• ‘Defend and help those who can’t protect themselves (Ps. 82:3, James 1:27)

• Just business practice (Prov. 11:1).

• ‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets’ (Matt. 7:12. cf. Phil. 4:8).  

•

is His delight.  

• God hates a fraudulent instrument but he delights in just weights, namely he does not like fraudulent business practice but he enjoys fair business consequences.

• Those things which are pleasing to the Lord:

• God does whatever he pleases (Ps. 115:3; Ps. 135:6);

• you have done what you pleased (Jonah 1:14);

• this was well-pleasing in your sight (Matt. 11:26; Luke 10:21);

• Wisdom was daily his delight (Prov. 8:30);

• it pleased the Lord to crush him (Isa. 53:10);

• as a soothing aroma I will accept you (Ezek. 20:41);

• does the Lord take delight in thousands of rams? (Mic. 6:7);

• build the house that I may be pleased and get glory to myself (Hag. 1:8);

• it pleased God to save those who believe (1 Cor. 1:21);

• as the Lord delighted to prosper you, he will delight in making you perish (Deut. 28:63);

• the Lord was pleased to magnify the law (Isa. 42:21);

• it pleased the Lord to kill them (1 Sam. 2:25);

• he will carry out his pleasure on Babylon (Isa. 48:14);

• let him do what is good in his eyes (1 Sam. 3:18);

• God’s delight: a just weight (Prov. 11:1);

• those who act faithfully (Prov. 12:22);

• the blameless (Prov. 11:20);

• the prayer of the upright (Prov. 15:8);

• lovingkindness, justice and righteousness (Jer. 9:24).

2 When apride comes, then comes dishonor,

But with the humble is wisdom.

When pride comes,

• Failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate

• זָדוֹן (zādôn). n. masc. presumptuousness, overconfidence, insolence. Most often refers to presumptuousness in thoughts, behaviors, and actions. The writers of the Historical Books often use the term for “presumptuousness” due to excessive self-confidence (Deut 17:12; 18:22; 1 Sam 17:28). The book of Proverbs uses the term for pride more generally; Prov 21:24 uses it alongside the terms זֵד (zēd, “presumptuous”), יָהִיר (yāhîr, “proud”), and עֶבְרַת (ʿebrat, “wrath”) to characterize scoffers. The term zādôn is most common in the Latter Prophets, where it exclusively refers to human arrogance (Jer 49:16; 50:31–32; Ezek 7:10; Obad 1:3).

• When a person is or becomes proud. Audacious or arrogant behavior to which one does not have a right.

• what does this pride look like?

then comes dishonor,

• When a person is proud then comes shame dishonor or put on display in mockery.

• What does this dishonor look like? Longman says, “For one thing, pride does not allow fools to listen to advice or learn from their mistakes. The consequence is, thus, unavoidable. They are doomed to repeat their foolish behavior, and this brings shame on them.

But with the humble is wisdom.

• When a person acts in humility then they wise.

• Rabbinic diction, “As water leaves a high level and goes to a lower level, so Torah abandons him whose mind is haughty and cleaves to him whose mind is humble

• Why is humility and wisdom connected? Longman: Those who are modest do not put up defenses and thus allow themselves to hear criticism and change their behavior in life-affirming directions.

• Why is wisdom and dishonor opposite of each other? Longman: The whole principle is paradoxical. When people hold themselves in high estimation, they will be denigrated; but the more they are aware of their weaknesses, the more they will achieve a success that will bring them glory.

3 The aintegrity of the upright will guide them,

But the bcrookedness of the treacherous •will destroy them.

The integrity

• WSOT: This comes from the verb tāmam (8552), meaning to be complete, and is the feminine equivalent of the word tōm (8537), meaning completeness or integrity.

• DBL: a state or condition of moral goodness in a life, with a focus of not having guilt or sin (Job 2:3, 9; 27:5; 31:6; Pr 11:3+)

• What does integrity look like? Isaiah 33:15–16— 15 He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; 16 He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.  

• Follows the word

• Speaks truthfully

• Rejects unjust gain

• Takes no bribes

• He does not conspirer against a person

• He does not like seeing wickedness

of the upright

• WSOT: יָשָׁר yāšār: An adjective meaning straight, just, right. This word can refer to something physical, such as a path (Ps. 107:7; Isa. 26:7), but it more often means right in an ethical or an emotional sense, as agreeable or pleasing. Examples of this include what is right in God’s eyes (Ex. 15:26; 1 Kgs. 11:33, 38; 2 Kgs. 10:30); or in the eyes of people (Prov. 12:15; Jer. 40:5). It also means upright, such as God (Ps. 25:8); and His ways (Hos. 14:9[10]). Some people were considered upright, such as David (1 Sam. 29:6); and Job (Job 1:1). An ancient history book was called the book of Jashar or the book of the Upright (Josh. 10:13; 2 Sam. 1:18). See the Hebrew root yāšar (3474).

• TLOT: The root yšr originally had the plain meaning “to be straight, straight” (antonym “crooked”), but it occurs in the OT predominantly in the fig. meaning “to be right, right” (antonym “bad, false,” etc.); cf. the similar relationships between nākōaḥ “straight, the straight” (→ ykḥ 1) and tqn pi. “to set right” (Eccl 7:13; 12:9; Sir 47:9; qal Eccl 1:15 [read ni.]; cf. Wagner no. 328).

will guide them,

• The character of a person will lead a person in the way that they should go. Here we see that the moral goodness of those who follow the Lord will lead them to the Lord.

But the crookedness

• WSOT: סֶלֶף selep̱: A masculine noun referring to perversion, deceitfulness. It refers to a distorted and perverse way of life or character (Prov. 11:3; 15:4).

• DBL: duplicity, i.e., what is essentially false, with a focus on lack of integrity in a person (Pr 11:3+)

of the treacherous (Qal participle)

• DBL: betray, act. treacherously, i.e., to be faithless to a principle, person or group, often with a result of handing someone into control of another, with justification (Isa 21:2).

• WSOT: בָּגַד bāg̱aḏ: A verb meaning to deal treacherously with, to be traitorous, to act unfaithfully, to betray. The verb connotes unfaithfulness in relationships like marriage (Ex. 21:8; Jer. 3:20; Mal. 2:14); Israel’s covenant with the Lord (Ps. 78:57; 119:158); friendships (Job 6:15; Jer. 3:20; Mal. 2:10); leadership (Judg. 9:23).

will destroy them. 

• The lack of character of those who are not principled people will result in their destruction or undoing.

• The evil are caught in their own devises: The wicked is ensnared in the work of his own hands (Ps. 9:16); the wicked is ensnared by his own iniquities (Prov. 5:22); evil comes to the man who seeks after it (Prov. 11:27); his own scheme brings him down (Job 18:7); his mischief will return on his own head (Ps. 7:16); a cruel man brings himself harm (Prov. 11:17); those who plough iniquity and sow trouble harvest it (Job 4:8); the wicked will fall by his own wickedness (Prov. 11:3; Prov. 11:5); the violence of the wicked will sweep them away (Prov. 21:7); the violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you (Hab. 2:17); you will be judged by the judgement with which you judge (Matt. 7:2); if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed (Rev. 13:10).

4 aRiches do not profit in the day of wrath,

But brighteousness delivers from death.

Riches do not profit

• Here we see that an abundant of material possessions and resources are of no benefit. Longman adds, “The present proverb, however, makes it clear that such protection is limited and certainly not as helpful as righteousness.”

• This is interesting because we normally consider abundant material possessions are a benefit, however in this verse we see that the riches do not profit in a particular case.

• Drawbacks to riches:

• It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God (Matt. 19:23; Mark 10:23; Luke 18:24);

• easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter (Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25);

• there was a rich man clothed in purple (Luke 16:19);

• he has sent the rich away empty-handed (Luke 1:53);

• you cannot serve God and mammon (Matt. 6:24);

• where will you leave your wealth? (Isa. 10:3);

• he who hoards treasure for himself but is not rich toward God (Luke 12:21);

• riches do not profit in the day of wrath (Prov. 11:4);

• he lies down rich, but is gone (Job 27:19);

• their wealth will be plundered and their houses laid waste (Zeph. 1:13);

• your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten (Jas. 5:2);

• in one hour this wealth has been laid waste (Rev. 18:17);

• wealth takes wings and flies away (Prov. 23:5);

• his wealth will not endure (Job 15:29); riches do not last for ever (Prov. 27:24);

• the rich man will fade away (Jas. 1:10–11);

• those who want to get rich fall into a temptation and a snare (1 Tim. 6:9);

• the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous (Prov. 13:22);

• they leave their wealth to others (Ps. 49:10);

• man heaps up and does not know who will gather (Ps. 39:6);

• he will get no enjoyment from his profits (Job 20:18);

• the rich sit in a low place (Eccles. 10:6);

• better a poor man who walks in integrity than a perverse rich man (Prov. 28:6);

• they will make a spoil of your riches (Ezek. 26:12);

• some dig for death more than for hidden treasure (Job 3:21).

• Matthew 16:24–26— 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  

in the day of wrath,

• What day is this? Longman: The passage fits in well with the pervasive teaching in the book that the righteous tend to escape difficulties, while the wicked seem to invite them.

• Whose wrath? We could say that it could be divine and human. I think Longman says, “any life-threatening disaster” and it would be from anyone who makes a threat wicked who assume that their riches deliver them

But righteousness delivers

• how are they delivered? They follow God’s word and therefore, they will avoid the disasters that the wicked naturally walk into.

• Is this deliverance in connection with the day of wrath? They will not fall into a life threatening disaster. Namely, they will avoid the natural punishments and threats of the righteous. THey may have a new set of threats but not those which comes from a lack of love towards God and others.

from death. 

• BKC: The day of wrath (cf. “wrath” in v. 23) probably refers to death. Wealth cannot buy long life; only righteousness can aid in that (cf. 10:2b).

5 The arighteousness of the blameless will smooth his way,

But bthe wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

The righteousness of the blameless

• Those who are blameless follow the word of God.

• How does one become blameless? obedience to God’s word. Longman compares this to Phil 2:12-13

will smooth his way,

• Smoothing of way is removing anything that would cause a person to stumble.

• This means that a person who is blameless follows God’s word which mean that in his lifestyle nothing will cause him to stumble.

But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

• Those who are wicked will trip over their own bad behavior.

• Reminds me of Haman in the book of Esther 7:3–10— 3 Then Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my petition, and my people as my request; 4 for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for the trouble would not be commensurate with the annoyance to the king.” 5 Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who would presume to do thus?” 6 Esther said, “A foe and an enemy is this wicked Haman!” Then Haman became terrified before the king and queen. 7 The king arose in his anger from drinking wine and went into the palace garden; but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm had been determined against him by the king. 8 Now when the king returned from the palace garden into the place where they were drinking wine, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even assault the queen with me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were before the king said, “Behold indeed, the gallows standing at Haman’s house fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai who spoke good on behalf of the king!” And the king said, “Hang him on it.” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided.  

6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,

But the treacherous will abe caught by their own greed.

The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,

• A combination of verse 3,4

• Moody: The upright is delivered probably form the very thing that ensures the treacherous, their own evil desire...such cravings are ultimately deadly.

But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.  

• The treacherous same as verse 3

• Meaning of caught

• BDL: Ensnared

• WSOT: A verb meaning to capture, to seize. It indicates taking possession of, capturing, or catching various things

• Here greed is understood as an evil desire, wicked craving. Normally, this craving is a strong desire to possess.

• Greed:

• Greed, which is idolatry (Col. 3:5);

• the greedy man renounces God (Ps. 10:3);

• his greed is wide as Sheol (Hab. 2:5);

• the treacherous are taken captive by their own greed (Prov. 11:6);

• the dogs are greedy, never satisfied (Isa. 56:11);

• everyone is greedy for gain (Jer. 6:13);

• he who is greedy for gain troubles his own house (Prov. 15:27);

• greed should not even be named (Eph. 5:3);

• consider your members dead to greed (Col. 3:5);

• Gentiles practice impurity with greed (Eph. 4:19);

• filled with greed (Rom. 1:29);

• deacons must not be greedy for gain (1 Tim. 3:8);

• in their greed they will exploit you with false words (2 Pet. 2:3);

• they have hearts trained in greed (2 Pet. 2:14);

• the rabble were greedy for food (Num. 11:4);

• their god is the belly (Phil. 3:19);

• Kibroth-hattaavah - graves of greed (Num. 11:34);

• they had a craving in the wilderness (Ps. 106:14);

• why look with greedy eye at the sacrifices? (1 Sam. 2:29);

• we never came with a pretext for greed (1 Thess. 2:5).

• What is really meant by being ensnared?

7 When a wicked man dies, his aexpectation will perish,

And the bhope of strong men perishes.

When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,

• The wicked has no expectation of a future.

• What is meant that expectation will perish? Moody: that which he expects and hopes for, namely, his own pleasure and secuiryt will remain unfulfilled when he dies. kk;l,;;,lm;l

• His evil expectation will perish?

• His misplaced expectation will perish?

• It reminds me of Luke 12:16–21— 16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 “And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ 21 “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”  

• Cohen: The wicked man is one who holds a position of authority and influence which he abuses by acting lawlessly. Fearing his power of doing them harm with impunity people are disposed to curry favor with him and buy his protection and help.

And the hope of strong men perishes. 

• BKC: Obviously it is futile to forsake righteousness to gain power.

• Meaning of Strong Men:

• WSOT: Strength, manhood, generative power

• DBL: energy exerted to a degree that it controls its environment and/or those around it (Job 18:7; 40:16; Pr 11:7; Isa 40:26, 29+)

• NET translates the phrase “The hope of his strength perishes.”

• This reminds us of Psalm 49:16–20— 16 Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; His glory will not descend after him. 18 Though while he lives he congratulates himself— And though men praise you when you do well for yourself— 19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They will never see the light. 20 Man in his pomp, yet without understanding, Is like the beasts that perish.  

8 The righteous is delivered from trouble,

But the wicked 1takes his place.

The righteous is delivered from trouble,

• Meaning of trouble:

• Root of the word means to shout or groan loudly

• DBL: trouble, distress, calamity, anguish, i.e., a state of very unfavorable circumstance, with a focus on the emotional pain and distress of the situation (Dt 31:17), note: Jer 4:31, for another text variant see 7659

• WSOT: צָרָה ṣārāh: I. A feminine noun meaning trouble, distress, anguish. It refers to a situation or a time of extreme discomfort, an affliction for many different reasons.

• What is the theological understanding of trouble? Longman: However, eventually they will be delivered from that distress. even more encouraging to those who desire to see things work out so that the righteous get their reward and the wicked get their just punishment, the wicked will eventually get what they deserve: Distress!

• I am reminded of the three men in the fiery furnace

But the wicked takes his place.  

• If the righteous are delivered from trouble, then it is clear that the wicked will fall. The trouble will go from one and end up on another.

Conclusion

Outline:

• In our Business (1)

• In our Attitude (2)

• In our Decisions (3-8)

Closing:

• I am reminded of the story that Jesus taught about Lazarus and the rich man. Here you have this rich man who did not share but hoarded his wealth. Yet, you have this poor righteous man name Lazarus. He fought for every scrap of food.

• They both die on the same day, the rich man goes to hades and Lazarus to paradise.

• In a sense just that part of the story illustrates many of the truthes that we find in this text. That character is far better than money. remember if money can’t buy you love, it can’t buy you heaven. Character matters and wise people are concerned about character.

• However the story has a twist. The rich man see Lazarus, asks that Lazaurs shows pity on him, when he was not allowed, then the rich man desired that someone go and tell his brothers.

Abraham answer the man: Luke 16:29–31— 29 “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 “But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ 31 “But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”  

Application: Do you see the point? Our character flows from our relationship to the Lord. This relationship with him will drive us back to the Scriptures. When we are in the scriptures it will breed repentance and give us resolve to follow after God’s will! When we do this this means that we will see that character is better than wealth.

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