Proverb For The Day–Proverbs 28

Many years ago, and for many years I used to read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponded with the day of the month.  That of course is very easy to do since Proverbs conveniently has 31 chapters.  Since Proverbs was written to provide wisdom, especially in practical matters dealt with daily, it is an excellent book to read and study on a regular basis.

Today, being the 28^th of the month, means that Proverbs 28 is the chapter to look at.  Right off the bat in verse 1 is a great truth.  Reading from the NIV:

“The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”

This verse comes from a section in Leviticus26 that people don’t like reading because it is negative.  If we don’t read all the sections of God’s Word that talk about consequences of unbelief, what we have left is a positive thinking program that is NOT God’s Word.  We HAVE to accept the consequences of unbelief along with the blessings of obedience.  That is the way God set it up to work.  Leviticus 26:14-17 is the section upon which Proverbs 28 is based:

“But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands,

And if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws, and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant,

Then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life.  You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.

I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.”

Pure panic manifests itself though running, scared to death, from an imaginary enemy.  The earmark of someone enslaved to fear is when they are petrified by something that is not really there.  God made it perfectly clear that among the problems to be encountered after deliberate disobedience is the terror of THINKING one is being pursued, but in reality there is nothing or no one there.

Back in Proverbs 28, it says in verse 2:

“When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.”

Because of Israel’s continual disobedience, there was a revolving door of leadership many times.  Kings rarely stayed in power for very long because they were killed by disloyal subjects or children.  In contrast to this, a wise ruler is able to successfully rule and maintain order through the insight and understanding God gives them.  A very important verse in this chapter is verse 3:

“A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.”

Gentle rain is very good for crops but heavy, driving rain many times ruins the entire crop.  God does not want those who rule over the people, either governmentally or spiritually to oppress the poor.  He forbids the exploitation of downtrodden people for self-gains.  Leaders are to help, bless and advocate for the oppressed.  Leaders are NEVER to USE the poor and disadvantaged for anything.  A very important principle is found in verse 5:

“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.”

Evil and corrupt people just don’t get what justice is all about.  They do everything they can to circumvent justice, manipulate judges and through extortion and fraud make a mockery of the entire judicial system.  Justice is a foreign concept to those who are inherently corrupt.  Verse 8 provides great insight into what millions of “money launderers” have to look forward to:

“He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.”

Many times throughout the Old Testament God forbids the practice of charging excess interest on loans.  The policy of charging outlandish interest is nothing but extortion Biblically.  Those found guilty of this type of oppression will see all they have amassed end up being taken from them and given to the very people it was stolen from to begin with.  Contrary to evil men, God DOES understand justice.  Verse 9 confronts hypocrisy:

“If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.”

People who think they can reject the Word of God and get by on their long prayers and apparent “righteousness” are in for a rude awakening one day.  If a person refuses to listen to and obey the Word of God; all that persons prayers are detestable in God’s sight.  Verse 10 confronts those who say “Do as I say but not as I do”:

“He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.”

Verse 11 is very important in understanding the different perspectives God gives to the rich and poor:

“A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.”

It is truly amazing how many “common” folk can “see right through” the facades the arrogant put up.  The rich person thinks he is fooling everyone with his façade, but in reality the poorest people are usually the ones who can spot the counterfeit a mile away.  Verse 12 is extremely important in light of the upcoming elections:

“When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.”

There are candidates running for President in this country that if elected will force many good people to go into hiding.  Many times in the Old Testament men and women of God were forced to hide from evil and corrupt rulers whose only agenda was the elimination of all who lived righteously.  Elijah had to hide from Ahab and Jezebel for years and Joash was hidden for six years during the reign of the wicked king Athaliah.  Verse 13 is extremely important in light of sin and mercy:

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Notice it is not just a matter of confessing sin but also renouncing it.  True repentance is far more than just saying “I’m sorry”.  That is good starting point to repenting, but it never happens until there is a change of heart, mind or behavior.  Renouncing the sin that hinders, distracts and defeats us is vital to enjoying the prosperity and wholeness God desires us to receive.  Verse 14 builds upon the preceeding verse:

“Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.”

How many times have we seen people “harden their heart” due to bitterness, resentment or being hurt.  It never pays to harden your heart.  As this verse says, it will lead to “trouble”.  Hard hearts are breeding grounds for all sorts of horrible attitudes and actions.  Medically, it has been proven that many diseases have their root in hard and bitter hearts.  One of my favorite verses in Proverbs is found in verse 19:

“He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.”

If you have land, you are to work it and grow food on it.  Land is not something to just “look at”.  It appalls me to see how few people still plant a vegetable garden.  Not only is it therapeutic to work in a garden, it provides fresh produce for months of the year.  The problem is many people spend all their time “chasing fantasies” instead of living in the “real world”.  Those who live in a realm that does not exist except in their own minds will surely suffer poverty.  Verse 20 says:

“A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.”

The world is full of “get rich quick” schemes that are doomed to failure.  The old “pyramid” marketing schemes were so devious they were declared illegal.  Many kids go to college for the sole purpose of making a quick million upon graduating so they can “retire” at age 35 and live the rest of their life in the lap of luxury.  Maybe a few succeed, but the vast majority fall flat on their face and end up slaving away until they are 65 before retiring on “peanuts”.  Verse 22 says:

“A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.”

Only those who learn to give away what God has blessed them with every truly get “rich”.  Those who hoard every penny and live as a pauper even though they have millions are living epistles of this verse.  In verse 24 is a truth that I wish families would print on the walls of their homes:

“He who robs his father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong”—he is partner to him who destroys.”

Many children seem to think it is perfectly fine to rob their parents blind and never think it is wrong.  Stealing from your parents makes one a partner with the devil himself.  Verse 26 says:

“He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.”

The overwhelming majority of people today trust in themselves for everything.  The overwhelming majority of people today are fools.  Verse 27 says:

“He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.”

Herein lies my purpose in writing this post.  There is an emerging crisis taking place in this country.  As the economy constricts, people have quit giving to the poor.  This is dangerous territory to explore.  This country has always taken care of those without.  If it ceases to help those who are sick, disabled, elderly and unable to take care of themselves; then God will cease blessing this country and the alternative to Him blessing is to receive many curses.  One of those curses is verse 28, which repeats the very thing said in verse 12.  When something is said twice in the Word of God it is CONFIRMED:

“When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.”

Part of the curse of not caring for the poor is that wicked people rise to power who in turn exploit the poor for their own gain.  The righteous end up having to go into hiding to stay alive.  In due time the righteous become bold as a lion again and the wicked people run and hide from imaginary enemies.

Let us pray for God’s blessing on this country and that whoever emerges as the candidates in the upcoming election, that they look to God, and are committed to helping those who are poor and oppressed.  God does not honor political parties.  He looks on the heart and so should we.