Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” The Proverb tells us that a nation can be exalted; lifted high; caused to be lifted up; honored; There is little debate in history that America came from very simple yet difficult beginnings. The nations of Britain, France, Spain and Portugal were trying to rule the world and this newly discovered part of the world. But in all of these places that the explorers from these nations went, it is the United States that is exalted and becomes the leader of nations in the world. Maybe we should ask why? Why not Canada? Why not Mexico? Why not Brazil? The Proverb we read said righteousness exalts a nation. Righteousness has to do with doing what’s right; justice; government administering justice; truthfulness; But sin is a reproach; sin is a disgrace; sin degrades o When sin reigns; when iniquity and being profane abound; when immorality is celebrated; when anger and hate are honored; when God is dishonored, disrespected and devalued; when idolatry and other religions rise showing contempt for the Jesus Christ…That nation falls into poverty, chaos and further into immorality. As I look back through this Chapter of Proverbs the word wisdom comes up several times as it does in all the Proverbs. Let’s look at those as we weigh our nation against these truths. ` 1. Wise Set Up Vs. 1 “Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.” Nations in the Bible many times are referred to in the feminine. A nation must be built up on righteous principles. We can begin with the Declaration of Independence: o We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. o The last paragraph of this document reads: We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions,... And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. From the beginning it is obvious that this nation and government was built on Biblical righteousness. In all 50 State Constitutions, God or the Divine are used in their documents. Massachusetts and North Carolina lead the way with 12 & 10 references. This nation was built upon the need for God and HIS righteousness. But, a foolish woman tears her house down with her own hands. Look at what we have torn down with our own hands… Are we looking like an exalted nation or one that is ending? 2. Wise are Sensible & Discern vs. 8 & 33 “The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them… 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.” Vs. 8 uses the word prudent meaning sensible. Sensible people have discernment; that is they have understanding; they are not just intelligent but they move with discretion. One of the great things lost on our younger generation is to think that these old people we have leading our nation now represent what our nation is and what it was founded on. Sadly they looking for a new foundation. But quit the opposite is true; these are unwise, indiscernible and foolish people presently leading our nation. But at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence Washington was 44, Jefferson was 33… the average age of those who signed the Declaration was 44; Out of 56 signers 12 were under the age of 35… 21 under the age of 40… don’t let the white wigs in their portraits fool you… the youngest was 26 Being sensible and discerning is not about age…it is about the ability to see a situation and respond appropriately… specifically when one sees danger and knows how to respond. At our founding there were sensible people that understood their times and what was required. Do we look like a nation being exalted or one that is ending? 3. Wise Respects & Separates vs. 16 “A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.” Our nation has not been perfect but over and over again in righteous acts, she has made correction. Sometimes God had to send judgement in order for this nation to step up and do what was right. Vs. 26 & 27 “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear