Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.
Summary: People who ask you to put up money or security for something are in a different class than those who are simply looking for help.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:15 — Creeps”
For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but victory is won through many advisers.
Summary: A timely proverb for our day. Nations, like people, sometimes lose their way and fall into disrepute. Our nation is in danger of going down this path.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:14 — Guidance System”
A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
Summary: Do we take gossips seriously? Paul suggests that we should take it at least as seriously as murder. How we do that depends on a proper understanding of the Greek word, krino, meaning “to judge.”
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:13 — The Righteous Judge”
Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:12 — Neighbors” 
Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
Summary: Today’s passage provides an opportunity for a real-world application of what Solomon has been teaching us.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:11 — Two Cities”
When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
Summary: The Bible offers examples of many types of righteousness. Understanding the differences between the various types helps us better understand the Bible.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:10 — Rightography”
With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.
Summary: What was true in Solomon’s time is still true today. Especially when it comes to the deeds of the godless.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:9 — A War of Words”
The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.
Summary: Once again we are confronted with the concept of righteousness. Here we compare our own human efforts at righteousness with Jesus’ perfect righteousness.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:8 — Perfection”
Hopes placed in mortals die with them;
all the promise of their power comes to nothing.
Summary: Today’s passage is profound. It is simple, direct, and powerfully true.
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:7 — Hope”
The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
Summary: Righteousness is a challenging topic. On one hand, is the view that because no one is righteous then that means people are incapable of any righteousness. But is that what the Bible says or is that what we want it to say?
Continue reading “Proverbs 11:6 — New Car Smell”