Book of Proverbs



Book of Proverbs

Chapter 11

Our life is like a two-way mirror. We can’t see God, but He can see us. Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. God sees our actions and reactions. He knows all our words and thoughts. Psalms 139:1-4 1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. When we tell the truth or lie, He knows. When we are honest or cheat, He knows. When we are merciful or unkind, He knows. When we are generous or stingy, He knows. We should be honest with God because He knows anyway.

1. The value of honesty (vs. 1; 16:11; 20:10, 23) – A “false balance” (lit., “balance of deceit”) and a “just weight” (lit., perfect stone) are both seen and known by the Lord. In Old Testament times scales were used to buy and sell goods. To increase their profits merchants would use two sets of weights to weigh their goods. They would use lighter weights in selling (a smaller amount was sold for the stated price) or heavier weights in buying (so that they could get more for the same price). Honesty is the best policy because it pleases God, whereas God hates dishonesty. Psalms 15:1-2 1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Psalms 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. God expects us to be honest in our words and in our ways, including how we conduct our business. President George Washington said, “I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” We expect honesty and truth in the area of money and finance, but what about other matters of right and wrong and morality in general. We expect someone who owes us $10 in change to pay us exactly $10. But some people are not willing to say certain moral actions are right or wrong for fear of being judgmental. God has already made His judgments about certain things as to whether they are right or wrong. Psalms 119:164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

2. The value of humility (vs. 2; 16:18) – The word “lowly” is the same word found in Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? This is one of many proverbs warning about pride and encouraging humility. The first thing on God’s hate list is “a proud look” (6:16-17). The Bible is full of examples of proud people who were humiliated and humble people who were blessed. C. S. Lewis wrote: “Pride is the mother hen under which all other sins are hatched.” Pride was the first sin of Satan and the sin of Adam and Eve. Pride is a subtle sin. It has been said that pride is the only disease that makes everybody sick except the person who has it. Some people have trouble admitting it. There was an old man who never did admit he was wrong, no matter what. He walked into a blacksmith shop that had sawdust all over the floor. The blacksmith had been working with a horseshoe that just wouldn’t cooperate with him, so he tossed it on the sawdust floor. This proud old man walked in and picked up the horseshoe, not knowing it was still hot. He dropped it real fast. The blacksmith said, “Kinda hot, ain’t it?” The old man said, “Nope, just don’t take me long to look at a horseshoe.”

3. The value of integrity (vs. 3) – Integrity means wholeness. The opposite of integrity is duplicity. A person is the same no matter what the situation may be. His private and public life are the same, therefore, his integrity guides him in all his decisions at all times.

4. The value of righteousness (vs. 4-12, 18-21, 23, 31) – Many verses contrast righteousness and wickedness. In Proverbs 11, notice what happens to the righteous and the wicked:

A. It delivers from death (vs. 4, 6-7) – Wrath probably refers to death. Death for a wicked person is the end of what he hoped to accomplish or have. See Jesus’ parable of the rich fool (Lk. 12:13-21).

B. It provides guidance (vs. 5) – This describes a life with fewer obstacles in the way.

C. It delivers from trouble (vs. 8-9) – This reminds us of Mordecai and Haman in the Book of Esther. Mordecai was delivered and Haman was executed on his gallows.

D. It blesses other people (vs. 10-11) – This describes “the ripple effect of the righteous,” how that godly people have a positive effect on their city.

5. The value of keeping a confidence (vs. 12-13) – A talebearer tells everything he knows, but a faithful person is able to keep a secret.

6. The value of counsel (vs. 14) – “Counsel” means “guidance” and is a nautical term used of steering a ship. The old proverb says, “Two heads are better than one.” Every person should consider the counsel of wise people before making important decisions. Many counselors provide valuable insights from other points of view and suggestions as to how to deal with challenges and opportunities. Are you a person who seeks godly advice? Are you a person who can offer godly counsel? There is a connection between vs. 13-14. A godly counselor is one who not only offers sound advice, but also keeps matters confidential.

7. The value of a godly woman (vs. 16, 22; 12:4; 14:1; 19:14; 31:10-31) – A gracious woman keeps her honor which is far more valuable than strong (ruthless) men who hold on to their riches. In other words, honor and character is far more valuable than wealth. As a piece of gold jewelry is out of place in a pig’s snout, so is a lovely woman without good judgment. A woman who is lovely on the outside should have lovely character on the inside.

8. The value of mercy (vs. 17) – A merciful man is a blessing to himself, but a cruel man only hurts himself. This implies that you reap what you sow.

9. The value of generosity (vs.24-28) – The more you give, the more you have. God used Joseph to sell the corn during the days of famine (Gen. 41:56-57). We are to be like the Sea of Galilee (taking in and giving out) instead of the Dead Sea (only taking in and never giving out). It is not wrong for someone to be wealthy, but a person should not trust in money or hoard it. 1 Timothy 6:17-18 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.

10. The value of blessing others (vs. 30) – A righteous person is like a tree of life, a source of life for others. “Winning” (lit., “taking”) souls means attracting them to wisdom and godly living (“the fruit of the righteous”). The life of a “soul-winner” must be attractive if he is to attract people to Christ and godly living. People read our life far more than they read their Bible. As you go through this chapter ask yourself:

✓ Am I honest in all my business dealings?

✓ Am I humble in spirit?

✓ Am I a person of integrity?

✓ Am I a person who lives right?

✓ Am I someone who can keep a confidence?

✓ Am I seeking and giving wise counsel?

✓ Am I merciful?

✓ Am I generous?

✓ Am I a person who attracts lost people to the Lord?

Book of Proverbs

Chapter 11

Our life is like a two-way mirror. We can’t see God, but He can see us. Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. God sees our actions and reactions. He knows all our words and thoughts. Psalms 139:1-4 1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

1. The value of_________________________________________ (vs. 1; 16:11; 20:10, 23) A “false balance” (lit., “balance of deceit”) and a “just weight” (lit., perfect stone) are both seen and known by the Lord. Psalms 15:1-2 1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Psalms 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. President George Washington said, “I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”

2. The value of_________________________________________________ (vs. 2; 16:18) Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God

3. The value of_______________________________________________________ (vs. 3)

4. The value of_________________________________________ (vs. 4-12, 18-21, 23, 31)

A. It________________________________________________________ (vs. 4, 6-7)

B. It____________________________________________________________ (vs. 5)

C. It__________________________________________________________ (vs. 8-9)

D. It________________________________________________________ (vs. 10-11)

5. The value of___________________________________________________ (vs. 12-13)

6. The value of______________________________________________________ (vs. 14)

7. The value of____________________________ (vs. 16, 22; 12:4; 14:1; 19:14; 31:10-31)

8. The value of______________________________________________________ (vs. 17)

9. The value of____________________________________________________ (vs.24-28)

1 Timothy 6:17-18 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.

10. The value of_____________________________________________________(vs. 30)

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