Thoughts On A Proverb #6
Thinking with the wise. Proverbs 10:6
Proverbs 10:6
“Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”
Another translation says,
“but violence covers the mouth of the wicked”
Points To Remember
Happiness, honor, and joy are found in righteousness.
The “covering of the mouth of the wicked” has a couple pictures in scripture:
A. The lepers in Leviticus 13:45 would cover their lips as they yelled, “unclean!” Though not from wickedness, we see that the covering of their lips was one of shame. Violence will cover the mouths of the wicked; declaring the shame of their life style. The way leprosy defined a man’s life back then is the same way violence will define the life of the wicked.
B. We also see in the book of Esther, that after Haman is shown to be guilty, the king covered Haman’s face before he was hanged in the gallows. In this way, it could be said that violence is the signature of an early death for the men who chase wickedness. It’s the “moving towards the gallows” in a sense.
The tongue can bring disaster to a man’s life. If a man refuses wisdom, he will be ensnared by his words, and his actions will lead to shame and the covering of his mouth. (13:3)
Characteristics of the “blessings of the righteous” according to Proverbs:
A. They are enjoyed and missed when they die. (10:7)
B. The good is from the Lord. (10:22)
C. They bring wealth with no sorrow. (10:22)
D. They benefit societies. (11:11)
E. They nourish the people around them. (11:25)
F. They are with the generous and not the greedy. (11:26)
G. They are for those who stand against and not with evil. (24:25)
H. For the faithful. (28:20)
If my life is characterized by violence and strife, then I have a reason for concern.
Righteousness is found in the Gospel. We are by nature children of wrath and without Christ. We are wicked and under the wrath of God. He will one day cause every man to shut his mouth before him; every man will be a man ready for the gallows and full of shame if found without righteousness. The only way to be made right with God is to believe his son. This is where true blessing is found. This is where forgiveness and regeneration is found. This is where a new life is found. The death of Christ and the power of his resurrection is where our hope is found.
If we take “head” as a position, instead of “the top of a man’s body,” then we could point out that Christ is the “head of the righteous.” He is the head of the body; the church. Just as a husband is the “head of his household.” Christ is the head of all righteousness. All righteousness comes through his life, death, and resurrection.
I think the exaltation of Christ and his gospel are essential for this proverb. My righteousness and blessings extend to unknown heights in what Christ has done on my behalf! A man can’t read this proverb and just promise to “do better.” No, I was the wicked man and all that was left for me was sin and death apart from God. I was hopeless and not able to choose anything truly good. But, Christ has put new desires in my heart and has caused me to be born again to a living hope! He has set me free to give up my life of believing sin’s lies. He has made me a man fit for Him. This is a blessing beyond all I can imagine! My mouth is one of thanksgiving and praise instead of selfishness and violence. All was produced by Christ and the love of God for me through his mercy and grace.
For The Job
It’s important to live in such a way that is a blessing to those around us. We must see that men by nature are more prone to be violent at heart. Not physically violent alone, but violence in speech, motives, and behavior. Apart from Christ we are aliens to God and left to our own ideas. This is a recipe for disaster.
Without Christ, man is seeking his own passion and desire for what he thinks is the main point of life. This usually consists of the love of money and pleasure. This kind of life in view of a workplace can cause a lot of fighting and tension. Men want to be “Top Dog” and great in the eyes of other men. Sin and unrighteousness is always self-seeking.
The only way to surpass this is to find all your satisfaction in Christ. We can’t love anyone, especially those around us everyday, when we see them as competitors for our joy and satisfaction. Money and comfort can’t be our main goal at work. We have to stop using people for our promotion and seek to do what’s right, because it’s right. We must seek to be a blessing at our job. Seek to love our neighbors in our work. The only way this kind of living is possible is if we are free from what others are slaves too—this is only found in cherishing the Gospel.
For The Family
I think the “Characteristics of the blessings of the righteous” in point four would be good to consider. One thing that will ruin a family is the belief that “I should have anything that makes me happy.” This kind of happiness is a false happiness. True happiness is found in righteousness and not selfishness. Be men and women, moms and dads, who desire to: Be enjoyed, be generous, be nourishing, faithful to their spouse, faithful to their kids, faithful to their church, faithful to their commitments, and faithful to Christ. Be people who want Christ above everything as a family! Set your whole life around him! Enjoy him!
Consider these things.
For The Young
It’s important to remember that you are seen before God. He sees all you do and one day you will stand before him. Seek Christ who is worth more than everything! Know that if you seek what the world seeks, you will find a life of shame. You won’t find lasting happiness. Seek a righteousness that isn’t your own. This is where you will find your true life! This is where you will become a new creation! If violence is a characteristic of your life—be worried. Many young people die young because they are enticed by such things. They want beauty, popularity, money, and pleasure. Beware of these things. Many fights are started because of the love of these things.
I pray you hear this and consider your life.
Cling to Christ!
Related Verses
“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire..” 2 Peter 1:2-4
“The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” Proverbs 10:22
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” Ephesians 1:3
“The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.” Proverbs 3:33