Posted by Jeff Short on March 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
– Proverbs 11:21
The first phrase is uncertain and has been interpreted variously. Hand to hand could be an expression that denotes the surety of something to happen. The joining of hands could also refer to confederacy, in this case to do evil. The former seems the most probable in that the sureness of the wicked coming to punishment is emphasized. With this gloss, the surety of the statement also applies to the contrast that the seed of the righteous are surely to be delivered. So both statements are sure to come to pass. The Proverbs consistently presents the theme that the wicked will not ultimately prosper and the righteous shall be rewarded (Proverbs 28:13).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on March 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment
As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
– Proverbs 11:19
Wisdom is concerned with the long view and outcomes over time more than immediate circumstances. This proverb contrasts pursuing righteousness and evil. Pursuing righteousness results in life and pursuing evil in death. This is a continual wisdom theme throughout Proverbs (Proverbs 1:16-19; 8:36; 10:16; 11:4; 12:28; 13:21; 19:23).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on March 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
– Proverbs 11:18
The general tenor of Proverbs is that the gains of the
wicked, whatever they are, are not lasting. The
deceitful works of the
wicked are also often the means that bring them down (Proverbs 1:18; 5:22; 22:8). The contrast emphasizes the
reward, or wages, of sowing in
righteousness is sure. The word indicates firmness, stability, and reliability. Those who work in righteousness are assured of a reward.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on March 2, 2017 · Leave a Comment
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
– Proverbs 11:10
The prospering of the righteous and the perishing of the wicked both bring rejoicing to the city. Though imperfect and often fickle, many recognize and value justice. At the very least, they enjoy the benefits brought about through the righteous and wise (Proverbs 29:2; Ecclesiastes 9:15). Reference to the city here could indicate the contrast between the rule of the righteous and that of the wicked. Men are far less appreciative of wickedness and injustice when it is at their own expense.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on February 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
– Proverbs 11:8
Interpretations of this proverb are varied. It is antithetical, though with a different twist than usual. The
trouble mentioned refers to straits or distress. The
righteous are delivered from trouble and the
wicked come into trouble. The twist in this proverb is that the wicked come into the trouble the righteous were delivered out of (Proverbs 28:10). It could refer to a plot of the wicked against the righteous that ultimately catches the wicked, like with Haman and Mordecai.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on February 26, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
– Proverbs 11:6
This proverb is close to the previous one. The
upright are the straight, or those who walk honestly. They have and walk by wisdom.
Transgressors are treacherous, or deceitful dealers. Their way is always convoluted and thorny because they have to keep up with their treachery. Ultimately, they fall by their
naughtiness. The word means desire, but it is a ruinous, strong desire. It could aptly be described as lust. Transgressors serve their lusts and it is their own undoing (Psalm 7:16; Ecclesiastes 10:8).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on February 25, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
– Proverbs 11:5
The word for
perfect means unblemished, or whole. It is most used in reference to sacrifices. Here it is used for one possessing
righteousness, which is justice, truthfulness, etc. For him, the way is made straight or plain. He is guided and not hindered by supposed ethical dilemmas (Psalm 119:32). It is not so with the
wicked. Their way is crooked and not straight (Proverbs 2:15). They have no safe guide but rather are guided by their
wickedness and foolish imaginations. The end result for the wicked is being taken by their own devices (Proverbs 1:31-32; 5:22).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on February 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
– Proverbs 11:4
The
day of wrath refers to divine judgment or reckoning. It could be a reckoning in this life or the final reckoning in the life to come. Either way, the gain that so dominates the thoughts of many will not provide any release before the righteous judge. He cannot be bribed and silver and gold are not sufficient to pay for sin. The way of wisdom is the way of
righteousness, or justice. There is safety in that way and deliverance from the fear of death (Proverbs 12:28; Hebrews 2:14-15).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on February 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh forwardness.
– Proverbs 10:32
The word for
acceptable means delightful and pleasant. The words of the righteous are fitting words (Proverbs 15:23; 25:11). There is beauty in them and these come from a well of wisdom (Matthew 13:52). The words of the wicked are presented in contrast. They are not few, well-chosen, nor beautiful (Proverbs 15:2, 28). They only speak
frowardness, which is twistedness or perversity.
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
« Previous Page — Next Page »
Proverbs 11:21
Posted by Jeff Short on March 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
The first phrase is uncertain and has been interpreted variously. Hand to hand could be an expression that denotes the surety of something to happen. The joining of hands could also refer to confederacy, in this case to do evil. The former seems the most probable in that the sureness of the wicked coming to punishment is emphasized. With this gloss, the surety of the statement also applies to the contrast that the seed of the righteous are surely to be delivered. So both statements are sure to come to pass. The Proverbs consistently presents the theme that the wicked will not ultimately prosper and the righteous shall be rewarded (Proverbs 28:13).– Proverbs 11:21
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Share this:
Filed under 11, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Deliverance, Proverbs, Punishment, Righteous, Wicked