Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: Proverbs of the Mouth, Pt.2 Proverbs 10:11-16

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Proverbs 10:11-16

[11] The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,

but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

[12] Hatred stirs up strife,

but love covers all offenses.

[13] On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,

but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.

[14] The wise lay up knowledge,

but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

[15] A rich man’s wealth is his strong city;

the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

[16] The wage of the righteous leads to life,

the gain of the wicked to sin. (ESV)

Proverbs of the Mouth, Part 2

v.11 A pretty sobering statement! The mouth of a righteous person supplies the water of life to others. The righteous receive life from God through Word and Sacrament and share that life, the reason for the hope that fills them (1 Peter 3:15) through their words and actions carried out in their vocations. Our speech is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who supplies us with the water of life (John 7:37-38). On the other hand, the mouth of the wicked speaks words that cover up their sinful "violence." Implied, but not stated, is that their punishment is the opposite of the fountain of life, namely eternal death. Not only that, but their wicked speech drags others down with them if they heed their false words.

v.12 This verse is connected to the previous by the word "covers." The mouth of the wicked conceals violence but is contrasted by love, which covers (forgives) all offenses (sins). “Above all, continue to love one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8). “Whoever brings a sinner back from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20). Hate begets conflict, but love heals and forgives.

v.13 This verse is another contrast, this time between one who has Wisdom and one who does not. For the Wise, his wisdom can be passed along. The person who lacks sense can listen to Wisdom and thus become wise. If they remain in their ignorance, only punishment awaits.

v.14 The Wise store up knowledge. Remember, Wisdom is Divine Wisdom. Knowledge and fear of the Lord are the beginning of understanding. More and deeper understanding is given to those receptive to the Word of God. The fool speaks foolishness and makes himself even more foolish. The wise person chooses his words with care since they affect not only himself but others as well. “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16).

v.15 The next three verses are not specifically about the mouth but make observations about life. However, we can see how the previous verses about the use of the mouth are connected. The wealth of a rich man functions like the ramparts of a walled fortification, protecting those inside. The poor have no such defense. It is left to us to infer that earth;y riches protect against earthly dangers. Spiritual riches, Divine Wisdom protect against spiritual harm, both temporally and eternally. Only the God-given treasure of Wisdom, the knowledge of salvation in Christ Jesus, protects against eternal death. The Word of the Lord is a fortress that endures forever (Psalm 46), and heaven is open to the poor (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 6:20).

v.16 Righteousness will not necessarily make one’s life on earth easy or comfortable. The righteous may gain material riches, but Wisdom teaches them that true wealth lies in eternal life. Wealth can be a blessing, but it can lead two ways, righteousness leading to life or sinful decadence leading to eternal death.