Proverbs 11: The Recompense of Righteousness and Wickedness

Articles

Steven J. Wallace
03/02/20 - Proverbs

Bible Recall: POINTS IN PROVERBS

PROVERBS 11 – The Recompense of Righteousness and Wickedness

KEY PASSAGE: Proverbs 11:31, “If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.”

The dominant key features of chapter 11 are righteousness (what is just and upright) and wickedness (what is perverse and unfaithful).

THE BLESSINGS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Prov. 11:1-11)

Name the benefit associated with being upright or the trouble associated with wickedness.

A just weight brings delight to whom (11:1)? __________________________________________________
What follows pride (11:2)? ______________________________________________________________________
The integrity of the upright does what (11:3)? _________________________________________________
Righteous delivers from what (11:4)? ___________________________________________________________
The righteousness of the blameless will do what (11:5)? _______________________________________
Where the unfaithful will be caught in their lust, what does righteousness do (11:6)? __________________________________________________________________________________________________
What perishes with a wicked person’s death (11:7)? ___________________________________________
What will the righteous one be delivered from (11:8)? _________________________________________
By what can the righteous escape the destroying mouth of the hypocrite (11:9)?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name two things that cause joy (11:10). _______________________________________________________
What is so powerful to overthrow a city (11:11)? _______________________________________________

In the beginning of this chapter the two vices identified to source so much trouble are greed and pride (11:1, 2). Riches prove feckless in the day of wrath (11:4; cf. Lk. 6:24, 25; 12:16-21; 16:19-25). The wicked lose their expectation and hope at death because all their dreams were tied to the things of this life. The righteous have a glorious hope and expectation that extends beyond this life and is anchored in heaven itself (Col. 3:1ff; Heb. 6:19).

“…godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8).

LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR (Prov. 11:9-15)

This theme overlaps the previous section. The hypocrite destroys his neighbor (11:9). What he finds fault with he likely practices in another form. The one devoid of heart despises his neighbor while the righteous one holds his peace (11:12, 13; cf. Rom. 13:10).

SOWING AND REAPING (Prov. 11:16-31)

At the outset of this section is the contrast between a gracious woman (11:16) and a man of mercy (11:17) versus a ruthless and cruel man. In her compassion, she gains and retains honor, likely from others. However, the ruthless man’s pursuit of gain and “cruel” schemes troubles his own flesh (11:17). He may be rich with wealth but is a pauper when it comes to friendship. Remember the story of Ebenezer Scrooge? Mercy and ruthlessness are different seeds that can be sown and each will bring forth their own unique field to be reaped.

A wicked man does (produces) deceptive work (translated wages in Leviticus 19:13). If you work deception, you will be deceived. The righteous, on the other hand, sow seeds of righteousness and have a sure (firm, reliable) reward or wages (11:18). One kind of seed leads to life and the other to a deceptive and destructive death (11:19).

There is also the teaching of sowing bountifully in Proverbs 11:24-26. People typically despise proud and selfish people. The irony is that greedy and stingy people eventually lose what they are so energetically hoarding while the generous receives more than he scatters or gives away.

Conclusion:

In the end, every person is sowing seeds of wickedness and deceit or seeds of righteousness and eternal life. One person will trouble his house by the decisions and goals he sets before him (11:29). Another person will build his house up.

“Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner” (Prov. 11:31).

What a conclusion to this chapter! If the righteous will be rewarded on earth, how much more the sinner? The apostle of our Lord also referenced this passage to show that judgment can come upon the house of God in this life through trials suffered. If a righteous man is permitted to face such persecution from the wicked, what must the end of the ungodly be like (1 Pet. 4:17, 18)? It’s a sobering thought. Let us commit our souls to God as a faithful Creator in sowing good seed (1 Pet. 4:19; Prov. 11:19). The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he who wins souls is wise (11:30)!

—Steven J. Wallace