Proverbs Chapter 11

Proverbs 11:1 "A false balance [is] abomination to the LORD: but a just weight [is] his delight."

God wants us to be honest in all our dealings.

We read a request of God in Ezekiel:

Ezekiel 45:10 "Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath."

It is not only against man's law to weigh merchandise for sale wrong, but it is against God's law as well. In fact, the Lord calls it an abomination (a very evil thing). God is delighted with us when we are honest with all our dealings which include weighing.

Proverbs 11:2 "[When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom."

“Pride” comes from a root word meaning to boil or run over, indicating an overwhelmingly arrogant attitude or behavior.

In 1 Timothy, we read what happens when we are overcome with pride.

1 Timothy 3:6 "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil."

It is very important not to be self-centered and caught up in pride. We are what God has allowed us to be. In 1 Timothy 3, the wickedness in the last days lists pride as one of their sins. We must stay humble to please God. The humble have a teachable spirit which is firstly directed to God.

A wise person realizes that everything he or she is comes as a gift from God and not of self.

Proverbs 11:3 "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them."

Here, integrity means innocence. The upright are innocent of any wrong doing, but we see that the perverseness (evil doings), of the transgressors (those who sin continuously), will destroy them. They actually destroy themselves.

Proverbs 11:4 "Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death."

“The Day of Wrath”, is the day of final accounting to God, the divine Judge.

Luke 12:16-21 "And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:" "And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?" "And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my

barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods." "And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry." "But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" "So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Or James 5:1-3 "Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you]." "Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten." "Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days."

You can easily see that all the riches in the world will not save you from the wrath of God. We must be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, and then we will be in right standing with God. Jesus Christ brings us life, not death. The Christians will be saved from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,"

Proverbs 11:5 "The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness."

We see here, that the man in right standing with God walks daily in salvation. Those who desire to please God walk uprightly before him in His blessed Light, which clearly lights his path. The wicked walk in the night, they are children of the night. They are blinded by sin and worldliness and are trapped by their own wickedness.

Proverbs 11:6 "The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in [their own] naughtiness."

1 Thessalonians 1:10 "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

Remember, this is Jesus' righteousness that we have taken on, and not our own that saves us. Transgressors (breakers of God's law), who do not repent will not be saved but caught in their evil doings and be judged guilty of their sins.

Proverbs 11:7 "When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust [men] perisheth."

We see here, that to die in your wickedness leaves no hope at all. My own personal belief is: as long as there is breath in the body, man can repent and be saved. When he dies, not accepting Jesus as his Savior, there is no second chance. He has no future to look forward to, only one to regret. Hell is awaiting him.

Proverbs 11:8 "The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead."

In this life, we all have tribulations and trials; but those in right standing with God will be delivered out of trouble. In Revelation we read about those redeemed from the wrath of God that are in white robes in heaven.

Revelation 7:14 "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

You can see in this that the righteous were brought out of great tribulation. At this time on earth, the wrath of God is falling and the wicked are on earth where all the horrors are.

Proverbs 11:9 "A hypocrite with [his] mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered."

We read about the lying tongued hypocrite in Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 9:4-5 "Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders." "And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, [and] weary themselves to commit iniquity."

We read in Romans of the justified (just as if we had never sinned).

Romans 8:1 "[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Proverbs 11:10 "When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, [there is] shouting."

We see here, not a particular city, but cities in general. Sometimes a statement about a city could be talking about a church, as well. I believe this might be saying, it is of mutual benefit to everyone associated when one of their members has good happenings. A righteous person is loved by his group. The wicked always cause trouble for others, and it is a relief to be rid of them.

Proverbs 11:11 "By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked."

The wonderful thing about the upright is that every thing they do builds and does not destroy. They pray for the city; they do only good and not evil. Anyone would be happy to have them as a member. The wicked always speak evil and tear down. Their mission is to destroy.

Social influence for good or bad is in view here (and in verse 10).

Proverbs 11:12 "He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace."

Jealousy, hate, and covetousness are all describing a person lacking in understanding. Those lacking in understanding are constantly comparing themselves with their neighbors. They want what does not belong to them. They destroy with their words.

A person, who understands however, is content in whatever state he or she is in. They know that God has everything under control and is giving them as much as He can trust them with so they are at peace with their neighbor and with themselves and with God.

In contrast to those who despises his neighbor, to be silent is to be wise.

Proverbs 11:13 "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."

A talebearer creates strife. We must never reveal a confidence. Spreading tales can only do one thing, and it is not good. If it can't help someone, don't tell it.

This is more than mere unguarded speech. This is someone who is a peddler in scandal, who speaks words deliberately intended to do harm. A gossip.

Proverbs 11:14 "Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety."

An interesting thing about society is that the younger generation does not want to take instructions (counsel). A person who won't take counsel has to make all the mistakes for himself and is constantly falling. A person who is eager to listen and learn can be spared all this sorrow.

Good decisions are made with multiple wise advisers. The more crucial the decision, the more appropriate is corporate wisdom.

Proverbs 11:15 "He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [for it]: and he that hateth suretyship is sure."

We see here, that to sign on someone else's note that you do not know, is not very wise. You have nothing to gain and all to lose to go on the note of someone you don't know. Usually you wind up having to pay it yourself and sacrifice your own income to do it. The smart thing to do is don't go on the note in the first place.

Proverbs 11:16 "A gracious woman retaineth honor: and strong [men] retain riches."

This gracious woman, spoken of here, is probably one who loves people and is a very beautiful person. She would show honor to others and, in return, would be greatly honored herself.

God has made man, not as a home-maker as He did the woman, but to provide well for his family. I don't believe this means strength of body, but rather strength of character. God blesses the upright man and gives him wisdom not to squander what he has worked for. A man of great character retains what he earns.

Proverbs Chapter 11 Questions

1.What is a false balance in the sight of God?

2.A just weight is his ____________?

3.What does God say to man in Ezekiel 45:10?

4.What is an abomination?

5.In verse 2, we read with pride comes what?

6.The wickedness of what days are spoken of in 2 Timothy 3?

7.What shall guide the upright?

8.What does this word mean?

9.Righteousness delivers from __________.

10.In Chapter 5 of James, what do we learn about riches?

11.What puts us in right standing with God?

12.What will the Christians be saved from at the end?

13.In 1 Thessalonians, we read that the Christians are not appointed to________ but to obtain __________.

14.The author believes a person can be saved as long as what?

15.What kind of garment will the righteous wear in heaven?

16.A hypocrite destroys with what?

17.Who are the justified?

18.In chapter 8 of Romans, we learn that these walk not after the ________, but after the

_________?

19.What type of person causes the city to rejoice?

20.In verse 12, we find that those void of wisdom do what?

21.Jealousy, hate, and covetousness describe whom?

22.Why should we be content with what we have?

23.In verse 13, we find that a ________ revealeth secrets.

24.In the multitude of counsels there is what?

25.What does "going surety" for someone mean?

26.A gracious woman does what?

27.Strong men retain what?

28.What strength of men is mentioned here.