24.255 | WHEN THE CITY REJOICES | Proverbs 11:9-11 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor NazarioSinon

God’s Word For Today

God’s Word for Today

23 Oct, 2024

9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,

but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,

and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

- Prov 11:9-11 ESV

WHEN THE CITY REJOICES

It is a sad reality that there are godless people who destroy the lives of others. The "godless" is hā'nēp, which also means something profane or deliberately set against God. They launch verbal attacks on their fellow men. By contrast, the righteous person's knowledge will keep him from sinning against his neighbor. He is aware God commands to love his neighbor (John 13:34); to treat others fairly (John 7:24), rather than jump to conclusions based on the accusations of a godless man (Prov 18:13, 17).

The worst is for these people to affect the community – the city. A city filled with wicked people has reasons to mourn. Instead of building up the city, they are tearing it down. This is seen in the different attitudes between the righteous and the wicked towards the use of money and authority. When wealth and power are in the hands of godly people, their proper stewardship prospered the city and caused its people to rejoice. Further, those who pursue righteousness do not commit crime, and therefore bring a sense of security and stability to their community. As Jeremiah relates God's promise of stability and security if the king of Judah would "do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place" (Jer 22:2b,3). Whereas the righteous exalt a city, the wicked residents destroy a city by berating its officials (v.9), spreading lies and rumors, and dealing in crime and crooked business deals (v.1). Indeed, “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”[Prov 14:34]

There is a need to pray for our leaders. That God would change their hearts. Only God can remove the selfishness and greediness in their hearts. As Paul instructs us in 1 Timothy 2:1–2 to pray for our government officials so that "we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." He indicates, "This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior" (1 Tim 2:3). Leaders who are not perfect but just.

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