Proverbs 28

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

October 20, 2004

Proverbs 28

:2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

(Pr 28:2 The Message) When the country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it— But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out.

(Pr 28:2 NLT) {2} When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability.

Unrest and rebellion brings about constant change in government. An example is the northern kingdom of Israel: they turned their back on some of the things of God and ended up having 20 different kings over nine dynasties, compared to the southern kingdom’s single dynasty.

:3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

A “sweeping rain” ruins crops rather than helps them.

The idea is having a “needy” guy rule over other “needy” people, and doing it in a way of oppressing them.

Sometimes people are cruel simply because they are “needy”.

Sometimes the people we are harshest with are people who have the same problems or “needs” that we do.

(Mat 7:1-5 NKJV) "Judge not, that you be not judged. {2} "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. {3} "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? {4} "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? {5} "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Does your “neediness” cause you to be cruel to others?

:4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

(Pr 28:4 The Message) If you desert God’s law, you’re free to embrace depravity; if you love God’s law, you fight for it tooth and nail.

Our country is moving farther and farther from having the principles and laws of God’s Word be its foundation.

Because of this, we find ourselves actually debating issues like the definition of marriage, or homosexuality.

I’m not opposed to talking rationally about these issues, but that fact that we have to debate them at all simply shows what has happened to us as a nation.

Here’s what the Scripture says:

(Lev 18:22 KJV) Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

(Lev 20:13 KJV) If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

(Rom 1:25-27 NLT) Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen. {26} That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. {27} And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.

(1 Cor 6:9-11 NLT) Don't you know that those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, {10} thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers--none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God. {11} There was a time when some of you were just like that, but now your sins have been washed away, and you have been set apart for God. You have been made right with God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God have done for you.

Some would say that I’m “homophobic”. It has nothing to do with being fearful of homosexuals. It has everything to do with fearing God. Homosexuality is not something a person is born with, it is simply a sin. It is just like any other sin – it leads to separation from God, it leads to an eternity in hell. We need to be clear that God loves sinners. He doesn’t want them to go to hell. He wants them to turn from their sin and let Him change them.

There are other issues we ought to be concerned about as well: Abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and the place of religion in government or even in society.

It’s not about “legislating” our principles of faith. It’s about doing what’s right, doing what God says in His Word.

:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

judgment – mishpat – judgment, justice, ordinance; right; proper, fitting

People who don’t have things right with God will have a hard time understanding a lot of things, things that are spiritual in nature.

(1 Cor 2:14-15 KJV) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. {15} But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Illustration

An atheist was spending a quiet day fishing when suddenly the Loch Ness monster attacked his boat. In one easy flip, the beast tossed him and his boat at least a hundred feet into the air. It then opened its mouth, waiting below to swallow them both. As the man sailed head over heels and started to fall towards the open jaws of the ferocious beast, he cried out, “Oh, my God! Help me!” Suddenly, the scene froze in place and as the atheist hung in midair, a booming voice came out of the clouds and said, “I thought you didn’t believe in Me!” “God, come on, give me a break!” the man pleaded, “Just seconds ago, I didn’t believe in the Loch Ness monster either!” “Well,” said God, “now that you are a believer you must understand that I won’t work miracles to snatch you from certain death in the jaws of the monster, but I can change hearts. What would you have me do?” The atheist thinks for a minute, then says, “God, please have the Loch Ness Monster believe in You, also.” All of a sudden the Loch Ness monster bowed it’s head and spoke, “Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful.

Seriously, when a person turns their heart to the Lord, things begin to make sense.

I guess we ought to be more compassionate towards those who don’t know the Lord because there are things they just don’t see.

It would be good to have those in leadership over us (whether it’s a boss, a governor, or a president) to be Christians.

:6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

uprightness – tom – integrity, completeness; innocence, simplicity

It’s better to be poor and honest than to be wealthy and wicked. I wonder if we believe that.

:7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

riotous – zalal – to be worthless, be vile, be insignificant, be light; (NIV) “gluttons”; (Message) “a loose crowd”; (NLT) “worthless companions”.

(1 Cor 15:33 NLT) …"bad company corrupts good character."

Illustration

Last night at the Yankees/Red Sox game the police came out at one point and lined the field while Boston was at bat. The New York fans were starting to through things out onto the field and the umpires were concerned that someone was going to get hurt. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of it was a response to how the Boston fans the previous day were also throwing things onto the field.

I guess there’s nothing new under the sun:

This from USA Today, 12-28-95, p. 1A.

Reward: $1,000 for the identity or seat number of the righthander in the photo who hurled snowballs Saturday during the New York Giants' 27-17 loss to the San Diego Chargers. He's a bit player in an ice and snowball barrage -- thousands thrown -- that injured 15 people at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and nearly resulted in the first forfeit in NFL history. Arrested: 15 fans. Ejected: 175. Officials say the incident was disturbing because many ejected fans hold responsible jobs: teachers, lawyers, stockbrokers and fire fighters.

Here’s the point: We are often influenced by the people around us, the people we joke around with, the people we learn to relax around.

Who do you hang out with? Who are the people that influence you?

Even scarier as a parent: Who do your kids hang out with?

:8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

If you make your money by ripping people off, you’ll end up losing it to someone who is kind to the poor.

God will eventually and ultimately make all things right again. That’s the purpose of the judgment before God’s throne.

(Luke 19:12-27 KJV) He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. {13} And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. {14} But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. {15} And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. {16} Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. {17} And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. {18} And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. {19} And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. {20} And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: {21} For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. {22} And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: {23} Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? {24} And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. {25} (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) {26} For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. {27} But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

There will be rewards in heaven for what we’ve done here on earth. We often think that we should not be serving the Lord in order to get rewards in heaven, but I don’t think the Scriptures support that.

We ought to be faithful in what God gives us, and He will reward us.

Jesus encouraged us to “lay up treasures” in heaven.

(Mat 6:19-21 KJV) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: {20} But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: {21} For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Sometimes we can get all caught up in having a large “retirement account”, but where are you putting that “retirement account”? The best retirement accounts are the ones we build in heaven.

But where will the Lord get the cities that He rewards the faithful with? He will take them from the unfaithful, from the wicked of the earth. Not necessarily in our earthly life, but certainly when He comes to establish His kingdom on earth.

:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

David wrote:

(Psa 66:18 KJV) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Isaiah wrote,

(Isa 59:1-2 KJV) Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: {2} But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Having God pay attention to your prayers is related toward having the right heart toward God’s Word.

:10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way…

(Pr 28:10 NLT) Those who lead the upright into sin will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things.

:11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

understanding – biyn – to discern, understand, consider

It’s not just any poor person who “sees through” the conceit of a wealthy person, but the one that has “understanding”.

Sometimes a poor person can be just as absorbed in getting rich as a wealthy person.

(Pr 28:11 NIV) A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

:12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

This is a verse talking about what people do depending on what kind of leader they have.

(Pr 28:12 NLT) When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

This was certainly the lesson that Solomon’s father, David, learned.

David committed some horrible sins. He committed adultery with another man’s wife. He got the gal pregnant. He had the husband of the woman put to death. He married the gal. Her name was Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother. They had the baby, the baby died. It seemed that David had gotten away with his sin, but he was miserable. He wrote:

(Psa 32:1-5 KJV) A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. {2} Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. {3} When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. {4} For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. {5} I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

David didn’t outright confess his sin. He didn’t confess his sin until he was confronted by the prophet Nathan. But when he was confronted, he stopped hiding his sin. And he found forgiveness.

:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

Fear can be unhealthy at times. It can lead to neurotic behavior.

But there are some times when fear is very healthy.

It’s good to have a fear of God.

It’s good to have a fear of sin.

(Pr 28:14 NLT) {14} Blessed are those who have a tender conscience, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

(Pr 28:14 The Message) {14} A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life.

:16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor…

(Pr 28:16 NLT) Only a stupid prince will oppress his people, but a king will have a long reign if he hates dishonesty and bribes.

This makes me think about Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. He oppressed the nation and ended up splitting it.

:17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

(Pr 28:17 NASB95) A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.

:18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

(Pr 28:18 The Message) Walk straight—live well and be saved; a devious life is a doomed life.

:19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

It’s good to work hard. You won’t go hungry if you work hard.

:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Jesus told an odd story to teach the relationship of the believer with money:

(Luke 16:1-13 NLT) Jesus told this story to his disciples: "A rich man hired a manager to handle his affairs, but soon a rumor went around that the manager was thoroughly dishonest. {2} So his employer called him in and said, 'What's this I hear about your stealing from me? Get your report in order, because you are going to be dismissed.' {3} "The manager thought to himself, 'Now what? I'm through here, and I don't have the strength to go out and dig ditches, and I'm too proud to beg. {4} I know just the thing! And then I'll have plenty of friends to take care of me when I leave!' {5} "So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, 'How much do you owe him?' {6} The man replied, 'I owe him eight hundred gallons of olive oil.' So the manager told him, 'Tear up that bill and write another one for four hundred gallons.' {7} "'And how much do you owe my employer?' he asked the next man. 'A thousand bushels of wheat,' was the reply. 'Here,' the manager said, 'take your bill and replace it with one for only eight hundred bushels.' {8} "The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the citizens of this world are more shrewd than the godly are.

It might look as if Jesus is saying that it’s good to be a rascal and cheat your boss. That’s not His point. In fact, the “manager” probably had the authority to change the bills. What he did was use the resources he had at his disposal while he could. Keep reading:

{9} I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven. {10} "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. {11} And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? {12} And if you are not faithful with other people's money, why should you be trusted with money of your own? {13} "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

This is not a lesson about loving money. It’s a lesson about using your money correctly and not letting your money be your God.

Learn faithfulness first. If you learn to be faithful in the “small” things, then you will be faithful in the bigger things. God is watching our faithfulness.

:21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

It’s not good to show “partiality”. For a judge, the idea is that you don’t take a bribe to sway your verdict.

Some people will make an incorrect judgment for the price of a piece of bread.

Be careful of a person who shows partiality, they can be easily swayed by the smallest things.

:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye …

“evil eye” – I think the idea is that his eye is on the wrong things. Some translations use the word “stingy”.

(Pr 28:22 NIV) A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.

:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Saying something difficult to a person instead of just flattering them is difficult.

Illustration

There’s a commercial on TV where a man is driving and tells a joke to the fellows he’s carpooling with. He tells an old elementary school joke: “Why is 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 “ate” (8) 9.” Then all the guys in the car break up in hilarious laughter like it was the best joke they ever heard. The text on the screen says something about a boss and, “The first time your bottom is kissed”.

(Pr 28:23 The Message) In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated far more than bootlicking flattery.

If the person is “wise”, they will eventually learn to appreciate what you said much more than if you had just ignored the problem and flattered them.

:24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother …

We ought to be honoring our parents, not robbing them.

:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

proud – rachab – broad, wide

“Fat” used to be considered a good thing.

(Pr 28:25 NLT) Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

We hear a lot in the movies about “trusting your heart”.

But the heart without the Lord is a dangerous thing:

(Jer 17:9 KJV) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

It’s when we put the Lord first in our heart that the heart becomes something that God can use to lead us:

(Psa 37:4 KJV) Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

When we delight in Him, He puts desires into our heart, desires that are from Him.

(Col 3:15 KJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

To “rule” means to “act as umpire”. Does this decision bring a “peace” with it?

:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack

God takes care of those who are generous to those in need.

:28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

(Pr 28:28 The Message) When corruption takes over, good people go underground, but when the crooks are thrown out, it’s safe to come out.