Proverbs 11:10-11, The True Patriot

May 10, Proverbs 11:10-11

Rev. 19:1-10 “Verily, there is a reward for the righteous” (Ps. 58:11).

The True Patriot

We seldom equate Politics and Politicians with the word blessed. Our verses today suggest that where there are upright politicians the polis, the city, rejoices. City is personified here. It is likened to a conscience or a spiritual compass that points to the right and the just, as the needle to the pole. The world now seems to justify anything evil, or perverted, and scorns morality, especially biblical morality, as passé. Yet the majority rejoices when good succeeds. They have an instinct that good leaders will bring benefits and blessings to the city. Even wicked people know that they cannot trust each other.

1. The Blessed Boon: When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. Goes well comes from with or by good things, namely, prosperity. Where righteousness is, the blessing of God is and public approval follows. a. The Salt of Society: The righteous are like the salt of which Jesus spoke. The ungodly rejoice because of the benefits they think will follow. In the good fortune of the righteous they anticipate better business, and healthier economic times. This is certainly rejoicing from a selfish motive, but it proves that the ungodly themselves recognise the principle that goodness brings its own reward, is a Blessed Boon to all. b. The Pillars of State: By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted. The upright are the straight, pleasing in the eyes of God and of men. The blessing refers either to their personal blessing, their thriving, or to the public benefits they bring, by their prayers and presence (Gen. 18:26; 39:5; Mk. 6:20). Perhaps the latter meaning is better here. The worldly acknowledge the usefulness of the upright as it effects the city, the family, and the nation as a whole. “Statesman, yet friend to truth! … by all approved, praised, wept, and honoured by the race he loved” (Alexander Pope).

2. The Blighted Bloom: In fact, when the wicked perish, there is shouting. In his lifetime he may have received adulation and praise, heaped upon him from hypocritical lips. The wicked man never did anybody any lasting good, not even to himself! What a sad commentary this is on sinful man. a. The Scourge of Society: Even in an evil world, there is general rejoicing when the wicked perish. They shout, exult, because an obstacle to their well being is no more; justice has prevailed! Such, in the end, have few to mourn their overthrow. When Athaliah was slain, all the people of the land rejoiced (2 Kgs. 11:20). Rome rejoiced at the death of Nero. France rejoiced when Robespierre met his end, and so it is today. b. The Pillagers of State: The city is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked (v.11). The word overthrown is used figuratively, for ruined. It is the opposite of exalted in the first part of the verse. The city’s overthrow is proof of the Blighted Badness of their evil mouth. Ought there not to be shouting at their overthrow? Alleluia (four times) in Rev. 19 is the only place in NT where it occurs. Four is symbolic of Creation and indicates God’s sovereignty over all His Creation, and the full and final achievement of the divine and holy purposes of God for mankind.

Thought: “There is no such person as a person without influence” (J.A. Motyer).

Prayer: Lord, make my life a blessed boon wherever I am.