An Exalted Nation?Proverbs 14:34

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

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

NLT Godliness makes a nation great,but sin is a disgrace to any people.

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

1. RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF A PEOPLE EXALT A NATION.

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

1. RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF A PEOPLE EXALT A NATION.

• material wealth; prosperity – from God’s hand• sense of well-being socially• moral rather than military power• honesty and loyalty, integrity and justice• safety and security• intellectual capital

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

1. RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF A PEOPLE EXALT A NATION.

2. SINFUL ACTS OF A PEOPLE DISGRACE A NATION.

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

Isaiah 5:20Woe to those who call evil good

and good evil,who put darkness for light

and light for darkness,who put bitter for sweet

and sweet for bitter!

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

Romans 12:21Do not be overcome by evil,

but overcome evil with good.

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

It is the nature of sin • to diminish a nation by means of moral weakness; • to discourage the spirit of a people; • to destroy wealth; • to diminish and deprive of freedom all provoking

God’s jealous wrath.(Emmons, in "Lange's Commentary")

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

“Ultimately a nation’s exaltation depends on its piety and ethics, not on its political, military, and/or economic greatness. In its external affairs a sinful nation among other things breaks treaties, propagandizes, lies, and bullies weaker nations. In its internal affairs it allows its judicial system to break down so that criminals and sluggards are rewarded and good citizens are overtaxed and intimidated.”

Bruce Waltke, Proverbs 1-15 (NICOT), 612.

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

Proverbs 14:34Righteousness exalteth a nation,

And the goodliness of peoplesis a sin-offering.Young’s Literal Translation

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

1. RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF A PEOPLE EXALT A NATION.

2. SINFUL ACTS OF A PEOPLE DISGRACE A NATION.

3. A MERCIFUL SPIRIT GRACES A NATION.

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

The actions of oneContribute to the soul of a nation.

An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

“The heart of the matter is not guns. The heart of the matter is the heart, the heart and soul of people

… And one of the things that I think we really need to start concentrating on in this country is once again

instilling the right kinds of values, particularly in our young people. We're so busy giving away all of our

values and principles for the sake of political correctness that we have people floating around out

there with no solid foundation of beliefs.”Ben Carson

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An Exalted Nation?

Proverbs 14:34

The actions of oneContribute to the soul of a nation.