Proverbs 10

PROVERBS 10

"Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.
The wise of heart will receive commands,
But a babbling fool will be ruined.
He who walks in integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will be found out."
(vs 6-9)

Dear saints, Scripture says that we are ever surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1). God and the angels hear all we say, and see all we do. All will be found out. We may hide our behavior now from those around us, but indeed all will be revealed someday. Jesus warned His followers of this, stating -
"There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops." - Luke 12:2-3

Now this applies to the good we do as well, as we read in Matthew 6:1-6. The things we do which please the Lord, will be rewarded, regardless of whether anyone on this earth knows of our good deeds or not. And the rewards are not only for the world to come. As we read above - "He who walks in integrity walks securely.". The Psalmist writes of those who walk in integrity, righteousness and truth.

"O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity,
and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart."

"He who does these things will never be shaken."
- Psalm 15:1-2, 5b

Peter exhorts us to live by the characteristics found in Christ, so that we may never stumble.

"Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." - 2 Pet 1:5-11


The Proverb continues on, speaking of the consequences of righteous and wicked behavior.

"He who winks the eye causes trouble,
And a babbling fool will be ruined.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all transgressions.
On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,
But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.
Wise men store up knowledge,
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
The rich man’s wealth is his fortress,
The ruin of the poor is their poverty.

The wages of the righteous is life,
The income of the wicked, punishment."
(vs 10-16)


All throughout the Bible we see that righteousness leads to Life (which is found only in the Lord Jesus), while wickedness leads to death (which is eternal separation from God). All of us will one day be paid for what we have done in this life.

"For the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of Life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." - John 5:28-29

We have the Lord Jesus speaking to the nations on that Day, condemning those who were selfish, and uncaring -
"These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into Eternal Life." - Matt 25:46

We have the Apostle Paul’s encouragement and warning to Christians who would take for granted God’s grace, and allow sinful behavior to remain in their lives. Walking in obedience to God leads to Life. To continue in sin leads to death.

"Now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Rom 6:22-23


"Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool,
And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
What the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the desire of the righteous will be granted."
(vs 23-24)

A reaping and sowing principle runs throughout the Proverbs, and particularly this one. The consequences of both righteousness and wickedness. What we have done will be revealed. What we have sown we will reap. May it be the desires of our heart that we receive.

"For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations
As you have done, it will be done to you
Your dealings (deeds) will return on your own head." - Ob 1:15

"Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:3-4

God’s peace & blessings to you & yours,

Michael


Ill-gotten gains do not profit,
But righteousness delivers from death.
(vs 2)