Posted by Jeff Short on March 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
– Proverbs 11:23
The words for
desire and
expectation are similar. They both describe a longing and in this verse they describe what the
righteous and the
wicked are seeking. The contrast is in the outcomes, or wisdom’s estimate of the objects of their respective pursuits.
Good is in the largest sense of good and
wrath is an overflowing fury and rage.
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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).
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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.
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 3, 2017 · Leave a Comment
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
– Proverbs 11:11
The
blessing of the upright is contrasted with the
mouth of the wicked, and so the effects of their speech are contrasted as exaltation or overthrow. The upright have wisdom and speak accordingly, which exalts or raises their society. The wicked have folly and spew it out to the overthrow, or bringing down, of themselves and everyone they ensnare (Proverbs 14:34; 29:8).
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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.
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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.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 27, 2017 · Leave a Comment
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of the unjust men perisheth.
– Proverbs 11:7
The
expectation of the
wicked man is the outcome he hoped for. Likewise the
unjust men hope their unjust ways will yield long life and happiness. In the general tenor of Proverbs, wickedness tends to the cutting off of life. This proverb is not antithetical but other proverbs provide the contrast that the righteous have hope in their death (Proverbs 14:32).
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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).
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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.
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Proverbs 11:23
Posted by Jeff Short on March 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
The words for desire and expectation are similar. They both describe a longing and in this verse they describe what the righteous and the wicked are seeking. The contrast is in the outcomes, or wisdom’s estimate of the objects of their respective pursuits. Good is in the largest sense of good and wrath is an overflowing fury and rage.– Proverbs 11:23
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