Proverbs 11:11
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
These proverbial principles are as sure as the law of gravity.
To comprehend the meaning of our text today, we first must understand ‘exalted’. What is ‘exalted’ in the sight of man is usually accursed in the eyes of God. The exaltation meant by our kingly author is surely meant as ‘divine endorsement’, but this ‘divine endorsement’ can come in different forms. A divine endorsement can be bestowed in the form of persecution, as it is an honor to be persecuted for the cause of our Messiah. When we become victims of man’s wrath because of our loyalty to our Master, we enter God’s hall of fame. It is a confirmation that, whether man canonizes us or not, God has found us worthy to join the rank of sainthood,.
To be exalted in the sight of God, or divinely endorsed can also mean being given the material blessings of this world, as He has surely given all things for us freely to enjoy. A difference must be made though, as every time a man enjoys material blessing is not necessary a sign of God’s blessing or endorsement. If it were so, Bill Gates would be the most blessed man on earth, and is he? God offered King Solomon anything he wanted, but all he asked for was the wisdom to do his job as king of God’s people. Because of that, God also gave him all the rest that he didn’t ask. This is the difference: when material wealth comes of its own self at our door when we are just busy going about doing God’s will to the best of our ability.
By these parameters, let us judge now our life, our community, our town and country. Is it exalted by the blessing of the upright? Or is it overthrown by the mouth of the wicked?
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
These proverbial principles are as sure as the law of gravity.
To comprehend the meaning of our text today, we first must understand ‘exalted’. What is ‘exalted’ in the sight of man is usually accursed in the eyes of God. The exaltation meant by our kingly author is surely meant as ‘divine endorsement’, but this ‘divine endorsement’ can come in different forms. A divine endorsement can be bestowed in the form of persecution, as it is an honor to be persecuted for the cause of our Messiah. When we become victims of man’s wrath because of our loyalty to our Master, we enter God’s hall of fame. It is a confirmation that, whether man canonizes us or not, God has found us worthy to join the rank of sainthood,.
To be exalted in the sight of God, or divinely endorsed can also mean being given the material blessings of this world, as He has surely given all things for us freely to enjoy. A difference must be made though, as every time a man enjoys material blessing is not necessary a sign of God’s blessing or endorsement. If it were so, Bill Gates would be the most blessed man on earth, and is he? God offered King Solomon anything he wanted, but all he asked for was the wisdom to do his job as king of God’s people. Because of that, God also gave him all the rest that he didn’t ask. This is the difference: when material wealth comes of its own self at our door when we are just busy going about doing God’s will to the best of our ability.
By these parameters, let us judge now our life, our community, our town and country. Is it exalted by the blessing of the upright? Or is it overthrown by the mouth of the wicked?
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