'The Way Of The Blameless One Is Straight'

Recognizing that integrity does not always shield the upright from danger or calamity, Solomon says: "The integrity of the upright one is what leads them, but distortion by those dealing treacherously will despoil them." (Proverbs 11:3) Integrity indeed guides the upright to do what is right in God's eyes, even under difficult circumstances, and brings benefits in the long run. Job refused to abandon his integrity, and Jehovah "blessed the end of Job afterward more than his beginning." (Job 42:12) Those who deal treacherously may feel that they are bettering themselves at the expense of someone else and may even seem to prosper for a time. But sooner or later their own deceit will destroy them.

"Valuable things will be of no benefit on the day of fury," says the wise king, "but righteousness itself will deliver from death." (Proverbs 11:4) How foolish to slave for material gain, but fail to make room for personal study, prayer, meeting attendance and the field ministry-the very activities that deepen our love for God and strenghten our devotion to him! No amount of wealth will bring deliverance through the upcoming great tribulation. (Matthew 24:21) Only the righteousness of the upright will. (Revelation 7:9, 14) We are wise, therefore , to take to heart Zephaniah's entreaty: "Before there comes upon you the day of Jehovah's anger, seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth , who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness." (Zephaniah 2:2, 3) Meanwhile, let us make it our aim to 'honor Jehovah with our valuable things.' -Proverbs 3:9.

Emphasizing further the value of the pursuing righteousness, Solomon contrasts the outcome of the blameless with that of the wicked, saying: "The righteousness of the blameless one is what will make his way straight, but in his own wickedness the wicked one will fall. The righteousness of the upright one will deliver them, but by their craving those dealing treacherously will themselves be caught. When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; and even expectation based on powerfulness has perished. The righteous is the one rescued even from distress, and the wicked one comes instead of him." (Proverbs 11:5-8 The blameless one neither falls in his own ways nor gets tangled up in his own dealings. His way is straight. In the end, the upright are rescued from distress. the wicked may seem powerful, but no such deliverance awaits them.

Next time: "A Town Is Elated"