PROFITING FROM PROVERBS

“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape” (Proverbs 19:5).

Verse six and seven go with verse 4, so I’m not sure why Solomon stuck verse 5 in here as it just seems out of place. The first part of verse 4 is spoken about in verse 6, and the last part of verse 4 (about the poor man) is spoken of in verse 7. And then in between them is this business on the false witness.

This deals with judgment cases, or court cases, where a person gives false testimony wrongly: “And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us” (Acts 6:13-14). Scripture does not inform us what the end was for those that lied against Stephen, but we can bet that they did not go unpunished by God.

“. . . and he that speaketh lies shall not escape,” this was already established under the Law: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16). What is amazing is how many people will tell you, “Well, I’ve never killed anybody, and I’ve never stolen anything,” as they talk about how they have kept the ten commandments but they never really get around to talking about how they have never lied. John said that “all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire” (Revelation 21:8). A man can keep nine of the ten faithfully all their life, but James said: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

The Law of Moses is completely incapable of saving any one’s soul. It has to be kept one hundred percent or not at all. The payoff for lying is just as bad as murder.

There are certainly some false witnesses in the area of religion. We usually think of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons, but any group that tries to substitute church membership, or good works, or their baptism for the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are lying witnesses as well. They “shall not be unpunished.” Paul said: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-10).

Let’s read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let’s keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread!

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In my very humble opinion, the Crime of False Witness should receive the same punishment as the crime that is being lied about.

Especially if the false testimony results in the death of the accused. Can’t argue with you on this a bit, but we do know that just because someone escapes judgment in this life; it does not mean that there will not be a future reckoning.

Oh Yes. You can count on that!