Proverbs 10:11 - A fountain of life

Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Message: A fountain of life

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: Contrasts. Vice and virtue. The contrast here is specifically the two kinds of people in our world - righteous and wicked. We live in a world of differences. I am God’s righteous. At least I think I am. My life should look like a righteous person as I read these Proverbs.

Previously in verse 3, verse 6 and verse 7 the righteous and the wicked is contrasted. I recognize once again that there are righteous and wicked people in our world today and this is a contrast that appears and is also a way of life. I think there are clearly instances in our Bible that God calls people wicked. Prior to the Flood God mentioned that everyone was wicked on the earth. Wickedness has corrupted everyone. Thus, each person has the potential to be wicked. This is clear. 

But what I've been noticing lately is the wicked person is the one that is far from God. There are non-chosen people in the Bible. There are people that are not part of God's people. And thus I wonder if this is a person Solomon in these verses is highlighting. If God chose Israel, then that would seem to be mean other people groups are not chosen. 

Now in addition, the mouth of a person is highlighted in verse 6 ("the mouth"), verse 8 and verse 10 (both state "babbling fool").  This verse 11 is the first time the positive outcome is presented of the mouth of the righteous. With that in mind, it seems that our mouth has quite the potential of getting us into trouble or representing wickedness. And yet I don't know if I would say it is bad to talk. In the previous verse I spoke of the effect even non-verbal words have on us, both good and bad. But here the write does want to mention the importance of speaking well. 

I know I tend to at times speak less than more in surroundings. That my word are more thoughtful. And yet when I am angry or disappointed, I notice my words are not thoughtful and can be rash as I speak out words of anger. I have people in my life that speak a lot. They are simply that way. Sometimes my patience for this is not great, but more often when I am working. But it is often present when I want to hear other people speak rather than only one person. Again, these are simply things I notice in my life about words. 

But just as words can hurt, words can also help and this is mentioned now here - words can be a fountain of life to those that hear them. A fountain is water that is bubbling over. It is springing up and then falling over on its side. I've noticed many times the marvel of water. Psalm 23 speaks of being led beside still waters. Water is often mentioned it would seem in the Bible as something that is pleasing and this is no exception. In John 4:10 Jesus is mentioned as living water.  Right at this moment, I am out of town, in the mountains, staying at a townhome in which a stream or river is running outside my window. Water runs. It is relaxing. The sound of nature is present. It is a comfort. It is a sound produced by nature, much like wind or rain produces that sound. It is life. And our words can at times speak of this comfort and refreshment it provides to our life. It is a mouth speaking words that are good and beneficial, refreshing and useful. 

One of the people in my life is my friend's wife and she often is speaking words of affirmation of people. If something good happens, they are the reason for the good. She highlights their good. She does not focus on her own doing, but rather always has a good word to say about others. I notice in me I like this at times, but at other times I struggle with placing the focus on me and I desire it to be on her. She is also a happy and joyful person. I have known her for 40+ years and she has always been this sort of delightful person. In her speaking of these words, I do see it helping others but it also produces in herself positive energy. Thus, the positive words we express help others but also bring a comfort and expression of life to ourselves. So the benefits are far reaching. 

My mom was this sort of person. My wife is this sort of person. Maybe the words are not as plentiful, but they are positive to me and others and they were encouraging. And people want this and come back to this. 

But the wicked man once again is the opposite of all of this. I have mentioned this already in other verses. And for now I will simply end with that. 

Prayer: Thank you God for the great people in my life that you have in my life to show my the positive words and the positive well-being of words. It is a great reminder to me of the importance of my words and what comes out of my mouth. May you guide me to be positive to others and speak well of others always. Help me to be this type of person. 

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