PROVERBS LESSON 14

     We will begin this lesson in 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 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
includes weighing.

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

     In I Timothy 3:6, we read what happens when we are overcome with
pride. I 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 11 Timothy 3, the wickedness in the last days lists pride
as one of their sins. We must stay humble to please God. A wise person
realizes that everything he or she is, is 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."

     James 5:1 "Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your
miseries that shall come upon [you]." James 5:2 "Your riches are
corrupted, and your garments are motheaten." James 5:3 "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 from 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.  In I 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."

     In I Thessalonians 1:10 we read "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 Saviour, their 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 7:14 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 "An hypocrite with [his] mouth destroyeth his
neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered."

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

     We read in Romans 8 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.

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

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

     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.

     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.

     Proverbs 11:15 "He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [for
it]: and he that hateth suretiship 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 honour: 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 Questions 14

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 II 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.