Proverbs 11

These verses seem to provide us with a theme. There is a running contrast between ‘the righteous’ and ‘the wicked’, sometimes under different epithets. Let’s see what Solomon is talking about.

11: 2-11             When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

                                           but wisdom is with the humble.

The integrity of the upright guides them,

                                           but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

                                           but righteousness delivers from death.

The righteousness of the blameless keeps their ways straight,

                                           but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright saves them,

                                           but the treacherous are taken captive by their schemes.

When the wicked die, hope perishes,

                                           and the expectation of strength comes to nothing.

The righteous are delivered from trouble,

                                           and the wicked come into it instead.

With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbors,

                                           but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,

                                           and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

                                           but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

The first line is like the famous one: “Pride comes before a fall” which we will run across later in Proverbs. “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). However, it also seems a theme here that develops as we read through the passage.

The second, fourth, and fifth lines remind us of something that the ambitious forget: It is the very crooked practices that people use to get rich that comes back to bite them when they think they are rich and untouchable; “the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” Another way of looking at this, a parable still in our own time, is that the wicked get caught in their own trap; “the wicked fall by their own wickedness” and then “the treacherous are taken captive by their schemes.” Pity we are losing our own received wisdom.

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace.” We know this happens, and sometimes we anxiously await the fall of an overly proud person; but perhaps we shouldn’t gloat until we examine ourselves for hints of too much pride.

The third line reminds us: “You can’t take it with you,” or “Naked you came into this life, and naked you will return.” This actually comes from the book of Job. “Job said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord’” (Job 1: 21). And that’s the way it is. More received wisdom that we pretend is not true; until our last days come.  

The third line from the bottom is interesting. The wicked have a fatal error; they can’t shut up about it, and so reveal their schemes. They deride their neighbors. Perhaps ruin their reputation, perhaps destroy their marriage, perhaps tempt them into a deal that goes sour. As we say, “Time will tell.” That is why so many get into trouble on the internet; there is no community in which to observe people’s behavior, and no time to figure out that ‘This isn’t real!”

Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself. Take time to build a reliable community, a network of trustworthy people. Be trustworthy yourself, and generous to those in need. That is how a godly society is built up. But, be on the lookout for the wolves; they can come in sheep’s clothing, they can come in packs. They are prowling around, running schemes and causing trouble, to see how they can benefit themselves to the detriment of the community as a whole. That is the wickedness that tries to undermine God’s peaceable kingdom. Be wise.