March 7-8, 2019
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Proverbs? Here’s today’s reading:
Proverbs 28 (ESV)
The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,
but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.
3 A poor man who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law strive against them.....Continue Reading
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Proverbs 28:4-5 (ESV)
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. 5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.
This whole chapter is a powerful lesson about the tension between the righteous and the wicked. The bottom line is that society benefits from having righteous leaders. We who seek the Lord have an impact on society. I like the summary presented in the ESV Study Bible.
Proverbs 28:2-12
For the most part, the meanings of these proverbs, taken individually, are self-evident. Taken as a group, however, they indicate that righteous individuals are an essential component of a just society. That is, one will not have good social order where many individuals, and especially those with power, are unjust. The structure of the text suggests its unity. Verse 2, which says that a society thrives when people have understanding but that it has many rulers when it is evil, brackets the entire section when connected with v. 12, which says that people celebrate the success of the righteous but hide when the wicked come to power. So these verses form an inclusio. Also, two catchwords link vv. 2 and 12. In v. 2, rulers are “many” (Hb. rab), but in v. 12, glory is “great” (Hb. rab); v. 2 speaks of a wise “man” (Hb. ’adam), but v. 12 speaks of “people” (Hb. ’adam) hiding. Between these two verses there are many other parallels among the proverbs. Verses 3 and 8 both concern how one treats the “poor,” whether with oppression (v. 3) or with kindness (v. 8). Verses 4, 7, and 9 teach that one’s attitude toward the “law” (Hb. torah) is the fundamental determiner of whether one will be good or evil. Verses 5 and 10 speak about knowing right from wrong (v. 5) and about leading others in the right or wrong path (v. 10). Also, the word evil (Hb. ra‘) links v. 5 to v. 10. Finally, v. 6 says that a poor man can be morally superior to a “rich man,” and v. 11 says that a poor man can see through the pretension of a “rich man.” Taken together, this section shows that, for the society as a whole to be well off, each member must practice integrity, and that is especially true for its rulers. The three proverbs on the law (vv. 4, 7, 9) indicate that a healthy fear of the Lord, as reflected in people’s respect for the Torah, is the only thing that will enable people to maintain integrity.
Lane T. Dennis, ed., ESV Study Bible, The: English Standard Version, (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Bibles, 2008), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “Proverbs 28”.
Proverbs 28:9 (ESV)
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
I had to post this separately because of its impact. WOW. Lord watch over my heart so that it never grows hard of hearing from your word.
The main theme in this Proverb is the law: the benefits that come from following it, the consequences that come to those who don’t and the responsibility of those with authority that make the law to act for the benefit of others, particularly the vulnerable, rather than taking advantage of them. The relative value of wealth is also discussed. That is why verse one talks about the wicked fleeing when no one pursues and the righteous being confident. Those who break the law always need to look over their shoulder to see if either the authorities of the law pursue or if other criminals do. It is also related to verse 6 where it says it is better to be poor and blameless than to be rich and perverse. A clear conscience is a wonderful thing, but to have to live with yourself after taking advantage of people, using or hurting them is a tough price to pay. And that’s why people like when a righteous person leads them, but when a wicked one does, they go into hiding (verse 12).
Other than those 2 valuable Proverbs are 13 and 26. He who conceals his sin does not prosper but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. And he who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
Proverbs 28:4 (ESV)
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.
Proverbs 28:5 (ESV)
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.
Proverbs 28:7 (ESV)
The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
Proverbs 28:9 (ESV)
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
The law helps to lead us to repentance and to fear the Lord always
Proverbs 28:13-14 (ESV)
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. 14 Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Reading, knowing, and keeping the law is essential to righteousness.
Verse 12 and 28 seem like bookends to a section. This seems to continue until 29:2
Proverbs 28:12 (ESV)
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
Proverbs 28:28 (ESV)
When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Proverbs 29:2 (ESV)
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Walk in wisdom
14 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.