7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge. 8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath. 9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet. 10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.(or, 'but the upright seek his soul'.) 11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. Proverbs 29:7-11 English Standard Version

Today's verses give good insight into what the past few year's news stories have been all about. Verse 1 speaks of 'the rights of the poor'. That's what both socialists and conservative political parties claim to be defending. By 'rights' I would understand him to mean that the poor in society should be treated with the same fairness wealthy people demand, and even with compassion. They shouldn't be taken advantage of because they are poor. But how people go about 'defending' those rights is also important. What does he say about a righteous man? (vs 7)

The word 'knows' can't just mean that a righteous person is aware of what they ought to do about the needs of the poor, but that they take the matter to heart. They look for ways they can help the poor. This was true of the first Christians. We read that: “With great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” (Acts 4:33-35) But what is said of scoffers? (vs 8)

While the righteous reach out with true understanding and help, riotous people set cities aflame! People who scoff at God and God's solutions stir up hatred and rebellion. This was true even of the spread of the gospel. As the apostles took God's word to the nations and many poor people were being saved, so the scoffers stirred up riots in those places. What is the sad outcome when righteous people try to reason with such riotous people? (vs 9)

In those days they often met up with scornful laughter. Nowadays they are likely to receive a barrage of the foulest language. God's wisdom only stirs up their rage. We see this in the current hostility being expressed in the USA towards those who take a stand for the rights of the unborn. What is the reason for their rage and riotousness? (vs 10)

They hate the truth that they can see in the life of a righteous person. It not only pricks their conscience, it pierces their very soul. The writer used the word 'blameless'. This doesn't mean that God fearing people have no faults. But it is a description of how they are seeking to live. And as they seek to follow God's wisdom, their lives expose the attitudes of the ungodly who seek their blood. The biggest example of this was when Jesus Christ was confronted by a baying mob crying out for Him to be crucified.

We see in vs 10 that the Hebrew could be translated as 'but the upright seek his soul'. That implies that, apart from looking out for the needs of the poor, righteous people also try and protect those who are blameless. That's part of the abortion debate. But in these times of tension we are living in – what is a big difference between the righteous and the riotous? (vs 11)

Righteous people believe in self control. That's one of the fruits the Holy Spirit brings about in their lives. The writer of Proverbs said: “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28) May God help us to be blameless in our generation, and a people who care for the rights of the poor.