Definite Contrast

Proverbs 11:15-21

“Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.  A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.  A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.  The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.  Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.  Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.”

King Solomon is making clear that co-signing a bank note for someone you do not know would not be wise.  I can recall a man I met at church and had only been around him a few times moving to another area, and sending me a letter asking that I do just that with his word that he would pay me back when he began to make money.  I ask another man who also had gotten the same request and knew him better, and he told me that he had helped him in the past and he never offers to pay back the money and yet he was working and making a good living at that time.  I listened to King Solomon and took his counsel.

What is your understanding of verses 16 and17?  They talk to us about a gracious woman and a man who is kind, and we are told that the gracious woman gets the honor, but often the man who only seeks riches at any cost cannot obtain honor because his life is all about putting self before others.  And the same holds true for the kind man whose goal is to honor God and serve others, but as we have witnessed a cruel man is unfaithful having little concern for others.

Verses 18-21 presents a definite contrast to anyone who has eyes to see; “The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.  Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.  Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.”

Maybe each of us needs to be reminded that this is not just talking about physical death, but eternal separation from God’s presence, a reward of eternal darkness and pain, never-ending darkness and pain, such a person will not be playing cards with anyone in hell! 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice