Let’s look at Proverbs 28 today. I have strong views that may come across as political; however, I truly believe that every aspect of our lives and our worldview should follow what the Word of God, the Bible, says. This hopefully will shape and put into perspective, how and what we consider as right; and the lense through which we view the positions and actions of our rulers (President, VP, Governors, Senate, Police, etc). Just in this last year, we see how Covid-19 and so many other issues have affected lives in our country and in our world. Take an honest look and see how our authority lines up with what the Bible says.
Wicked & Greedy Crave Power & Control
The Wicked In Power
Cruel rule! Rhymes doesn’t it? Verse 16 tells us that a tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. I don’t know if this brings anyone currently or in the past to mind that has been in office or authority; but it does seem very relevant right now to me. Someone who is a tyrant uses cruel or oppressive government to rule and control. I see a lot of control in our own country right now. Read these verses and tell me what you think! Those in power have often been greedy for a long time on both sides of the aisle if we are honest regardless of political affiliation. But think about the greedy and and what they tell us to think about those who have little money or the oppressed. Are they a good example and giving their money or are they insisting that everyone else do this while they live a very high life financially? I can think of several who do NOT give, yet expect others to do so.
Verses To Consider
I can go on and on, but I really see a ton of relevancy to what we have going on right now, in these specific verses.
| Verses 2-3 | 2When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. 3A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. |
| Verse 8 | Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. |
| Verse 28 | When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive. |
| Verse 11 | The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. |
| Verse 12 | When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding. |
| Verse 15 | Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. |
| Verse 16 | A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. |
The Greedy
“Eager to get rich,” this is in several of these verses! Verse 25 tells us that the “greedy stir up conflict.” They sure do! I see a lot of conflict in those who want money! It isn’t wrong to have money, but when money “has us,” it is a real problem. When we are so consumed and in a hurry to get rich, this is where we have a problem.
| Verse 8 | Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. |
| Verse 11 | The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. |
| Verse 22 | The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. |
| Verse 20 | A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. |
| Verse 25 | The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper |
| Verse 24 | Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys. |
| Verse 27 | Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. |
Pleasing Or Displeasing God In Our Lives
The Wicked/Evil Vs The Righteous/Faithful
I see several verses that grab my attention. Verse 5 says that “evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it FULLY. We know exactly what God wants and expects from us! When we conceal our sins, we do NOT prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy! What an amazing thought! When we confess and renounce, we find mercy! Renounce means, we abandon, we reject and stop doing what we did before that was wrong! (Verse 13) Then, verse 14 states “Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.” We get excited, even anxious before God. He is important to us. Someone who hardens his or her heart though, does not care! They don’t give God their heart, their time and their integrity! He is not at all important to a person who hardens his or her heart.
| Verse 1 | The wicked flee though no one pursues , but the righteous are as bold as a lion. |
| Verse 5 | Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. |
| Verse 17 | Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back |
| Verse 21 | To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread |
| Verse 23 | Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue. |
The Godly Will Prosper
| Verses 13-14 | Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. |
| Verse 12 | When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding. |
| Verse 20 | A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. |
| Verse 18 | The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit. |
| Verse 10 | Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. |
Discerning Vs Foolish
Heed instruction, this is wise! A person’s prayers are not heard if he or shoe does not listen to instruction.
| Verse 4 | Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. |
| Verse 7 | A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. |
| Verse 9 | If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. |
| Verse 23 | Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue. |
| Verse 26 | Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. |
How To Handle Money And Possessions
Poor Vs Rich Vs Giving
It is better to be poor but walk (life) blameless rather than to be rich but with a lifestyle that is perverse. I mentioned above, that the stingy are eager to get rich, but they are not aware that someday, they will experience poverty. Those who give to the poor will lack nothing but those who pay no attention to them, they turn the other way, will receive many curses.
| Verse 6 | Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. |
| Verse 22 | The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. |
| Verse 27 | Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. |
Hardworking Vs Lazy
People who work hard will have what they need, but those who try to earn through making money chasing “fantasies”, will have their fill of poverty. I think of this verse, meaning people who try to make money doing silly things to get rich quick like gambling or trying for that windfall financial gain. The verse says that they will have plenty of poverty. Why? Because God, through Proverbs, expects us to gain our wealth through disciplined living, not from a windfall luck of the draw; from an obedient life, not through hoping in pipe dreams.
| Verse 19 | Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty |
Powerful message. Thought-provoking. Want to ponder and consider before saying more…much needed piece. 🔥
Ok
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I really liked this one. You did real good again!
Loving verse 26!
I have observed that during elections, would-be office holders usually say all the right things. That they will uphold the Constitution (derived from the principles of God’s word, ultimately), work for individual liberty, promote justice for all by pushing for smaller government, and on and on. Then once in office they usually hold these stated positions about twenty minutes. I don’t really think most were consummate liars, but were sincere at the time. I have believed that their entry indoctrination on Capitol Hill involves both bribery and serious threats, which few stand against. It has only been recently that I have recognized that those evils of man pale in comparison with the spiritual evils of that locale. Few there be who go up prepared by the King to resist in that realm. My questions for those giving stump speeches need to change accordingly: Does your life belong to Jesus? Do you consistently have your armor on? If not, you won’t last twenty minutes until fear drives you to be just like most of the rest.