Read Proverbs 11:9–14
Questions from the Scripture text: Who does what (Proverbs 11:9a)? To whom? With what? Who will be delivered, and how (verse 9b)? When does the city rejoice (Proverbs 11:10a)? And when is there jubilation (verse 10b)? How is the city exalted (Proverbs 11:11a)? By what is it overthrown (verse 11b)? What does the one who lacks a heart do (Proverbs 11:12a)? By contrast, who does what (verse 12b)? Who does what in Proverbs 11:13a? What other sort of person does what in verse 13b? What makes people to fall (Proverbs 11:14a)? What makes safety (verse 14b)?
What makes a city to rejoice at the benefit of the righteous but at the elimination of the wicked? Proverbs 11:9–14 looks forward to the sermon in this week’s midweek meeting. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a city rejoices over the righteous especially because of how they use their mouths.
A blessing not only to themselves but to others (Proverbs 11:9-11). In Proverbs 11:1-8, we saw that the righteousness of the wise benefits them, because they are relating rightly to God. Now, in Proverbs 11:9-14, we find that the wise benefit more than just themselves. This is true in a general sense (Proverbs 11:10), and we will see more ways in which the wise and righteous are a blessing to others. What makes a city to rejoice at the benefit of the righteous (verse 10a) but at the elimination of the wicked (verse 10b)? Many things, but especially how they use their mouths.
The word translated “hypocrite” in Proverbs 11:9 refers to someone who willfully rejects the Lord. It is the polar opposite of that fear of YHWH that is the beginning of wisdom and of the knowledge of the Holy One that is understanding. Since the hypocrite rejects God, he also attacks his neighbor, who is made in the image of God (cf. James 3:9).
The “blessing” of the upright (Proverbs 11:11a) is both the blessing that comes upon them, which they are glad to spread to others—as well as the blessing that they pronounce upon others. This last—the blessing that they pronounce upon others—is especially in view, by its contrast to verse 11b. The wicked speak in such a way that destroys the city, and even pronounce curses by their mouth. No wonder the city rejoices when they are gone!
Proverbs 11:12-14 give three specific ways that the mouth of the righteous becomes such a blessing to his neighbors/city.
Quiet instead of insults (Proverbs 11:12). Literally, the man in verse 12a is missing his heart. This is much worse than the unkindness that we would mean by such a phrase. The heart was also the seat of the intellect and the will. When one’s faculties reject God, he becomes a despiser of his neighbor. When the heart is intact, with understanding (verse 12b), one of the most important things that he knows is how to keep his mouth shut!
Discretion instead of talebearing (Proverbs 11:13). Gossip is more than just speaking ill of others, or speaking falsely of others. It is often just telling others’ tales, giving information that isn’t yours to give. There is the sort of person that is a “talebearer” (verse 13a). He just can’t wait to go around, telling something—and usually something about others. If you are this kind of person, you go around telling others this information, relishing (or even embellishing) it a little more each time. The trustworthy person, however, holds back the words (verse 13b). Often, a faithful friend is faithful by what he does not say to others.
Wise, humble counsel (Proverbs 11:14). There are, of course, times when a word must be fitly spoken. If there is no one to speak it, the people who need that wisdom will fall (verse 14a). But the one who speaks wisely speaks not as the end of wisdom in himself, but as one of many counselors. Those who have both this humility, and the wisdom, increase he safety of those who receive that counsel.
What a blessing the righteous are—especially in how they use (or refrain from using) their mouths! God give you to be such a blessing, dear reader.
How well do you “keep your mouth shut” and refrain from sharing others’ information/stories? In what situations in your life should you be using your mouth less? In what situations in your life should you be using your mouth more?
Sample prayer: Father, thank You for giving to us Your wise Son, Who has the words of eternal life, when He should, and also opens not His mouth, when He shouldn’t. Please give to us to be like Him in speaking, and in not speaking, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
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