Knowing The People Around You

Proverbs 28:1-14

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1)

The wicked man’s guilty conscience keeps him on the defensive, forcing him to take action to escape punishment even when no one is looking for him.  Those who have done right have no reason to fear. 

“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.” (Proverbs 28:2)

Countries which have a rebellious attitude toward God do not have stable governments that endure very long.  Leaders who take the time to learn how things should be done make for a stable, lasting government. 

“A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.” (Proverbs 28:3)

People expect a person who has been poor to understand and empathize with the plight of the poor.  One who ignores them is like the driving rain that instead of soaking in and watering the crops, beats them down and washes them away, leaving nothing to grow.    The poor man who is ripping them off will take things the rich man wouldn’t bother with. 

“They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. (Proverbs 28:4)

People who reject God’s authority and morality praise and support those who do wicked things.  Those who stand for what is right oppose them.  It gives us a way to identify a person’s attitude and standards and know what they are really like.

“Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” (Proverbs 28:5)

Evil people have a distorted sense of justice.  Those who respect god understand that it is right that a person who takes something from another person, whether property or life, should repay him in kind to the full extent of the damage done. 

“Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.” (Proverbs 28:6)

A person who does what is right is better than a person who ignores what is right, no matter how rich he may be.

“Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.” (Proverbs 28:7)

A person who obeys God’s law is a wise person who makes his parents proud.  A person who hangs around with a bad crowd is an embarrassment to his parent before long.

“He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.” (Proverbs 28:8)

A person who tries to get rich by charging excessive interest and price gouging or otherwise cheating others will one day lose it to someone who will have concern for the poor he victimized. 

“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” (Proverbs 28:9)

A person who refuses to listen to what God says, then prays, asking god for something is like a thief or vandal who steals or destroys your property then asks you to fix his car or buy him a meal.  His prayer is an insult that God hates.    

“Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.” (Proverbs 28:10)

The person who causes a good person to go into sin will be destroyed by his own efforts to harm them.  The righteous and honest person will have good things that are his.   

“The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.” (Proverbs 28:11)

The rich man may think he is smarter than other people because of what he has, but the smart poor man checks out his theories before believing them because the riches may have come from something other than his skill or good decisions.

“When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.” (Proverbs 28:12)

When good honest people celebrate, everyone benefits.  When crooks and wicked people celebrate, everyone else better hide out so they don’t get hurt. 

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

A person who tries to cover his mistakes or sins will never be very successful.  A person who is willing to acknowledge his mistakes and change will eventually see the benefits and avoid the worst consequences.  I John 1:8-10 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.    Our sins will only be forgiven if we acknowledge and forsake them. 

“Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” (Proverbs 28:14)

A person that obeys God will be blessed.  A person who refuses to obey God will find himself in serious trouble.