Righteousness Exalts a Nation

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 14:15-35. The verse we are focusing on in this passage of Scripture is verse 34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Before we get into this verse let’s look at the rest of the Scripture.

The simple person believes every word: but the prudent person looks well to their success.

A wise person fears, and departs from evil: but the fool rages, and is confident.

Those who are easily angered deal foolishly: and a person of wicked devices is hated.

A simple person inherits folly: but the prudent person is crowned with knowledge.

The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

The poor person is hated even by their own neighbor: but the rich have many friends. Is it because of their money that the wealthy have many friends or is it because of the way they treat others?

Those who despise their neighbor sins: but happy are those who have mercy on the poor.

Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth will come to those who devise good.

In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips leads to poverty.

The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

A true witness delivers souls: but a deceitful witness speaks lies.

In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

In the multitude of people is the king’s honor: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

He that is slow to wrath has great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly.

A sound heart is the life of the body: but envy decays the bones.

Those who oppress the poor reproach their Maker: but those who honor Him have mercy on the poor.

The wicked is driven away in their wickedness: but the righteous have hope in their death.

Wisdom rests in the heart of those who have understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

The king shows favor toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against those who cause shame.

Many times people believe that when they sin or do something wrong they are not hurting anyone else, but themselves. That is usually not true, more often than not, the bad decisions we make hurt the people we love the most. This Scripture goes as far to say that sin can affect an entire nation. When a nation turns against God they are more likely to reap the wrath of God instead of His blessings.

On the other hand, if we live good godly lives those closest to us reap the benefits of our obedience. When we, as a nation, obey God and make right choices our righteousness elevates our nation. It can cause God’s blessings to be upon us.

As believers, we have a responsibility to pray for our nation. We are reminded of our responsibility in 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 14:15-35

15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Things to think about:

What does righteousness do for a nation?
What does sin do for a nation?
What are the attributes of the righteous mentioned in this Scripture?
What are the attributes of the wicked or foolish mentioned in this Scripture?
What can we do as believers to help heal our nation and bring it back to God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in the book of Proverbs we see that righteousness can heal a nation, but sin can destroy a nation. Help us to humble ourselves, pray and seek your face. Help our nation to turn back to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

– Proverbs 14:34

For more on this topic check out my book Christians Response to Government.

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

God Is Love

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

God is Love is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It contains 19 daily devotionals on Scriptures about love from the Bible: including God’s love for us, the love relationship between a husband and wife, love and honoring our parents, and much more.

This devotional would be great for either a personal daily devotions or group Bible studies, including small groups, and Sunday school classes. Each devotional contains a brief commentary by the author, the daily Bible Scripture, a prayer of the day, and several questions for personal reflection or group discussion.

In God is Love, Deborah strives to show you not only what love is, but that love comes from God, as well as the love of God surpasses all imagination. Her goal for you as you read this book is that you would realize how much God loves you.

Benefits of reading God is Love
• You will learn what love is
• You will learn about different kinds of love
• You will learn how much God loves you
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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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The Proverbs of Solomon

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 1:1-7. The book of Proverbs was primarily written by Solomon, the son of King David. It is thought that Solomon collected these proverbs to pass down to his son to help him learn wisdom from his father’s experiences.

This book is filled with words of wisdom and instruction to help those who read it to acquire a disciplined and wise life. It is meant to help us learn to do what is right, just, and fair.

The Proverbs were used by fathers in the Old Testament days to help teach their children knowledge and discretion. The wise were to listen to the words of Proverbs and add their own experiences as they taught their children. It was used to give guidance and understanding concerning the proverbs and parables – the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Proverbs are not the same as promises. Proverbs are general observations made by wise men. They may not always prove to be true in your situation, but generally are true. A promise is a particular obligation from a certain person.

Sometimes people take the Proverbs out of context and try to use them as promises of God. We need to remember that this is not how they are intended as we study the book of Proverbs.

In Old Testament times it was primarily the father’s duty to instruct the children in the Torah and the ways of God. They were to pass down the knowledge of God’s Word from generation to generation.

As parents it is our responsibility to teach our children about the Bible and how to live a good, godly life. That doesn’t mean that they are always going to listen and abide by everything we teach them, but it is our duty to make sure they know right from wrong.

Proverbs 10:1 tells us, “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.”

My favorite verse from this passage is Proverbs 1:7 which says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

This means submission to the will of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Fools are those who reject wisdom and discipline.

The word fool is used in Proverbs and other places in the Old Testament of the Bible to mean one who lacks morals.

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 1:1-7

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Things to think about:

What are some of the things we will learn from the book of Proverbs?
What was the primary use of the book of Proverbs in Old Testament days?
What does the Scripture say about the fear of the LORD?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,
As we read this Scripture and study the book of Proverbs help us to learn the lessons of this book. Help us to learn to be wise, disciplined and to have discretion in the decisions we make in life. Help us to always do what is right, just, and fair. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

Give Thanks

(Daily Bible Reading Series Book 15)

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Give Thanks is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman and Friends. Give Thanks contains 21 daily Bible lessons that remind us to have an attitude of gratitude.

Each lesson contains a brief commentary, coordinating Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day. Give Thanks is a great Bible study for individual or group Bible studies.

Four of Deborah’s friends contributed to the book and one of her friends contributed pictures of nature to remind us to be thankful for God’s creation. May God bless you as you read this book and remember all the things you have to be grateful for and to “Give Thanks” with a grateful heart.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah