The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion
28 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.
3 A poor man who oppresses the poor
Is like a driving rain [a]which leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.
9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
But the blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory;
But when the wicked arise, men [b]hide themselves.
13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
17 A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.
18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be [c]saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To [d]show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.
23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, “It is no transgression,”
The same is companion to a destroyer.
25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
27 He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:3 Lit. and there is no bread
- Proverbs 28:12 Lit. will be searched for
- Proverbs 28:18 delivered
- Proverbs 28:21 Lit. recognize faces
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Proverb 28
The opening verse talk of perpetual fear for a wicked person,while a righteous person is bold,vs 2 increase of evil and sin is by the contribution of many people,while a man of understanding and knowledge make increase come to the place,vs 5 talk about understanding of all things for those who fear God.vs 7 indicated that one who keep instructions and guidance is wise in heart, vs8 wealth gotten via unjust means will gather it to help who will support.
In vs 9,if we want our prayer to be continuously answered by God we will keep to the Word of God.vs 10 gives us a reason not to make a good person fall because one will fall in that pit himself or herself.vs 11 contrast between the wise poor and just the rich .person.vs 12 and 28 show us a need to promote righteous people because we can subdue wickedness by righteousness.
Vs 13 confession and forsaking of sin bring mercy from God to one’s life.vs 14 hardening of one’s heart will make one fall into problem and troubles.a need for perpetual fear of God.
Vs16 highlights rulers without understanding are great oppressors,but one without greed will live many years,vs 17 and 18,evil against others is not good and will bring shame to us ,but anyone who walk uprightly will be saved.vs 19 gave us reason to be hardworking because that will make us increase on all sides.
Vs 20 highlight the implication of being faithful and wealth out of haste.
Vs21 been just with rich and poor when issues occur is important.
Vs 22&23 impatient to get wealth is dangerous,and it is good to correct people with wrong behaviour.vs 24 not good to robbed ones father and mother vs 26 is good to make room for advice and not based every decision only on one’s heart suggestion.27 giving guarantee increase.
God wants us to obey His law. God’s law is not grievous. It is actually to help us. God blesses those who keep His law.
In Isaiah, we see that God doesn’t want to hear our prayers unless you are willing to stop sinning.
Isaiah 1:15 “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.”
Verse 16 tells us what to do for Him to listen.
Isaiah 1:16 “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;”
As we learned (in 15:8), external acts of worship, though according to biblical prescription, are repulsive to God when the heart of the worshiper is wicked.
A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him. When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding. He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Chapter 28 talks about how the oppressive ruler will be hated by those whom he oppresses, for he will exploit them for his gain and treat them terribly. This is traditional worldly wisdom, but it actually lacks understanding, for, if the people ever have a window of opportunity, they will fight back and take him out. The leader would be better off creating a valuable partnership and ally by being just and fair even while in a position of authority. This would earn the respect of the people, and they could serve him readily and not under compulsion or fear of his wrath. That is how he could prolong his days as king.
Chapter 28,let us know that wickedness will not give one peace of mind when trouble come but righteousness make us live a peaceful life
A great Glory await the righteous souls
verse 13,there is no hidden sins,if one want to prosper he or she must not cover his or her sin
Learn not to trust in ur own heart rather let work wisely
Day 28: Proverb 28:1- end.
False and Self Esteem. Wicked are actually cowards,the righteous are conversely quite courageous.
Rebellion causes land to have many rulers, but one king can do a better job and ensure peace.
Justice and law are better utterly at odds with the wicked ,and you do battle with the wicked by following and supporting law and justice. It is better to be poor and to be honest,than rich and corrupt. Hanging out with gluttons charging people exorbitant interest on loans and refusing to listen to the law. It is also says that the wicked will be destroyed by their wicked acts while the innocent will be rewarded. Smart poor people see through the false self esteem of the wealthy, and confessing your sins to God allows you to obtain mercy. Wicked rulers are bad and so are people who give assistance to murderous fugitives. Don’t be partial towards anyone in particular, because they might turn around and do something wrong for a really small reason, like getting a piece of bread. Don’t hurry to get rich, be a miser,flatter people or leech off your parents oh,and don’t be greedy or trust in your own wits but do give to the poor.
Proverb chapter 28 is made up of the following verses:
1. The righteous/wicked
2. Rulership
3. The poor
4. The wicked
5. Understanding
6. The rich/poor and righteous/wicked
7. Instruction
8. Loaning with interest
9. Instruction
10. Misleading the righteous
11. The rich/poor
12. The righteous/wicked
13. Admitting ones errors
14. Fear; Stubbornness
15. A wicked ruler
16. Rulership
17. Bloodguilt
18. Upright and crooked paths
19. Work
20. Prosperity
21. Favoritism
22. Chasing wealth
23. Reproof
24. Stealing from one’s parents
25. Trusting in God
26. Wisdom
27. Charity
28. The righteous/wicked
General summary of Proverb Chapter 28 is as follows :
Wicked people aret actually cowards. The righteous are, conversely, quite courageous.
Rebellion causes a land to have many rulers—but one king can do a better job and ensure peace.
Justice and law are utterly at odds with the wicked, and you do battle with the wicked by following and supporting law and justice.
It’s better to be poor and honest, than rich and corrupt.
Avoid the following, says Proverbs: hanging out with gluttons, charging people exorbitant interest on loans, and refusing to listen to the law.
It also says that the wicked will be destroyed by their wicked acts, while the innocent will be rewarded (which we’re pretty sure Proverbs said about twenty times before, but whatever).
Smart poor people see through the false self-esteem of the wealthy, and confessing your sins to God allows you to obtain mercy.
I so much love the last verse of this chapter. When wicked men are raised to places of power and authority, rich men hide themselves, lest they should become a prey to them; and good men hide themselves, that they may not be put to death by them; or as ashamed to behold their evil actions; (See Gill on Proverbs 28:12); but when they perish;
wicked men, either by a natural or violent death; or perish as to their authority and power, being turned out of their places: the righteous increase;
such who before hid themselves appear, and, being put into the places of the wicked, encourage truth and righteousness, by which means the number of good men is multiplied; and which is a great happiness to a nation, and shows the usefulness and advantage that good magistrates are of unto it.
Proverbs 28:1
A guilty conscience is a terrible thing, but is a prerequisite for confident living and spiritual boldness. We can see in this that the wicked flee because they are guilty of sin and they know it. Their fear comes from being found out and punished for the things they have done. They are constantly looking over their shoulder, because they know punishment is coming. They just do not know when, or from where. Their guilty conscience has boldness to face everyone. Their worst fear is fear of death and hell.
The righteous are such a drastic opposite. They have no fear of things of this earth because they are assured that greater is He that is within them than he that is in the world. God is on their side, and who can be against them. They have no fear of death, because they are promised eternal life. Death of the body on the earth to them is like stepping through a door into all of eternity.
Proverbs 28:2
This is just saying that when evil prevails in a land, the rule will change real often. Good kings, such as David, reigned for many years. In fact, Saul, David, and Solomon each reigned 40 years. Unrighteousness in a nation produces political instability with many who are vying for power, thus the tenure of each leader is shortened. Wisdom promotes social order and long rule.
Proverbs 28:3
You would think the poor would be sympathetic to someone in the same predicament. Perhaps the selfishness of this poor has brought on his poverty. The Lord Jesus taught “give and it shall be given unto you”. Selfishness and greed bring poverty. This “sweeping rain” spoken of here, could be an unwanted heavy rain just as the seed is in the grain and washes away the chance for it to grow. When the poor come to power and oppress their own, it is as bad as a destructive storm washing the fields clean instead of watering the crops. At any rate, it does away with the prospect of food. Be sure the Lord will find you out. A selfish person, whether rich or poor, will not be blessed of God.
Proverbs 28:4, In Romans 1:32 we read, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
We see not only a sinner, but a lover of sin, as well. There are only 2 sides you can be on. One side loves God and keeps His commandments. The other side loves the world and the wickedness it brings. The spirit (good), and the flesh (evil), are continually at war, and will be until Jesus returns.
Proverbs 28:5
Evil men (as we said in the verse above), have chosen to follow Satan instead of God. Seeing, they will not see; and hearing, they will not hear; because God has closed off their understanding.
Those who seek the Lord will find Him. The Holy Spirit of God reveals the secrets of God to those who seek God. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and our guide. Understanding is for those who seek God.
Proverbs 28:6, The poor man here is speaking of being poor in things of this world, but rich toward God. The things of this world are temporary. There is no lasting value connected with earthly wealth. We are cautioned to be rich in good works, storing up treasures in heaven where rust doth not decay the riches.
Those who are rich in this world, those who have accumulated by their evil dealings, have no rewards stored in heaven. If they did, someone else would have to use it because their home will be in hell.
Proverbs 28:7
We see that a father of the wise is proud of his son and proud of the way he has raised him, as well. The keeper of God’s law and man’s law are usually one and the same. They respect authority.
Proverbs 28:8
Usury was interest on loans exacting too much interest. In fact, Israelites were not to charge each other interest at all. Usury in our day would be to charge 30% interest when interest rates are really 10%. Unfair interest is always usury. It is usually charged to the people who can least afford it. They must pay whatever someone asks, because their credit is no good.
Unjust gain is any worth a man gets unfairly. Sometimes it is legal but not moral. Many times, it is against the law as well. God will not bless those who take advantage of others. In the long run, they will lose everything. God blesses those who help others. Give and it shall be given unto you. In the providence and justice of God, such wealth will be forfeited to someone who treats the poor fairly.
Proverbs 28:9
God wants our obedience to His law. God’s law is not grievous. It is actually to help us. God blesses those who keep His law.
In Isaiah, we see that God doesn’t want to hear our prayers unless you are willing to stop sinning.
Isaiah 1:15 “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.”
Proverbs 28:10
(Here in verse 10), we see those who are blinded to Biblical truth leading others who are blind in the same way and both falling into the pit. Those who are righteous (in right standing), should be doing the leading and should not be led astray.
The attempted corruption of the righteous is a wicked sin. So many false teachers are getting into the churches today and are teaching things that people want to hear, not the truth. Many are led away not recognizing the lust of their own flesh causes them to sin.
The good things the upright have are love, peace, joy, happiness, holiness, and many other spiritual gifts. They can rest at night having no fear of tomorrow. They have the best wealth there is: wisdom from God, a clear conscience, the grace of God, and the greatest possession of all, eternal life.
Proverbs 28:11
We see many times the rich are self-centered. They have been told so many times how great they are, that they have come to believe it themselves. The rich man has a hard time coming to God, because he feels self sufficient. To come to the Lord, we must first humble ourselves, and that is very difficult for a conceited man to do.
It is easy for him to fall into the “New Age” movement which teaches man is his own god. He thinks too highly of himself and this is very dangerous. Wisdom and godliness cannot be purchased with money or fame.
Riches are not always possessed by the unrighteous and wisdom by the poor, but, more often than not, this is the case due to the blinding nature of wealth.
Proverbs 28:12
This seems to be a victorious rejoicing. Everyone is thrilled when the righteous does well; but when the wicked take rule, everyone feels like running and hiding because of the evil intents. Or, when wicked people come into power, the righteous shout, (11:28), groan, (29:2), and hide (28:28).
This evil man who takes power would just want more power and wealth. No one would be safe. His rule would be one of terror.
It is required of us to obey God’s law. Let our ways be straight even if we have nothing but when our ways are set before God everything will fall in place. Being rich or poor doesn’t guarantee your wisdom, that is why we have the options in our hands.
Also, let’s learn to confess or sin f in order for us to enjoy the mercy of God for there is nothing hidden in the sight of God.
Lastly let us learn to fear the Lord