chapter28

Wicked fleeing

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

A wicked person flees the scene of the wickedness after committing it when no man could find any evidence of his wickedness. His guilty conscience drives him to despair. He has no rest in his soul. But a righteous man becomes bold as a lion when he is falsely accused of a crime which he has not committed because he has the favour and protection of God.

Transgression of nation

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).

For the economic or the political ills of a nation, the rulers are blameworthy. Successive unrighteous rulers or many contentious rulers who fight among themselves destroy a nation. God's judgment comes upon the whole nation for the wicked or the unrighteous rule of a king. The whole nation suffers greatly for the wickedness of the king chosen by them. But when a king with the heart of understanding and knowledge takes the reigns of the contentious or the tumultuous nation, there will be a political stability in that nation. A ruler should be a man of understanding of the nation's economy and knowledge of the problems of the people.

Oppressing the poor

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

Normally, the rich people oppress the poor. But if a poor man oppresses the poor, it will be like a sweeping rain that destroys the crops leaving no food. A poor man in order to survive goes to the extent of robbing another poor person or a group of poor people greatly till the last penny of the poor is exhausted. A poor person with his inferiority complex oppress another poor person or a group of poor people to build his business empire by depriving the poor of the last penny whereas a rich person oppress the poor only to the extent of disposessing the poor of his money which the rich person actually requires. The over greedy poor man oppresses the poor like the sweeping rain that does not leave any food.

Forsaking law

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

Those who do not follow the law or the constitution praise and support the wicked or the criminals. But those who follow the law contend with them who violate the law. Let us contend with the law breakers howsoever powerful.

Evil men and judgment

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

Evil men do not understand judgment because they expect judgment to be based not on justice and righteousness. But the children of God who seek the Lord understand all things and accept judgment even if it goes against them.

Poor man with integrity

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

It is better for a poor man who walks in his uprightness or integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways. You may not have the riches of this world but if you walk in your integrity, you will be blessed of God. If you have the riches of this world but lack in integrity, then you will be cursed.

Wise son

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

A son who follows the law of God is wise. But one who keeps company with riotous or lawless men brings shame to his father. Companionship of a son with those who violate the law brings disgrace to his father. The reputation of the father is damaged by his son who is friends with bad companions.

Usury and unjust gain

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

One should not increase his income by usury and unjust gain. If a person lives as a lender, he should charge interest at reasonable rates. A trader should not have undue profits or gains.

He shall never enjoy it himself, and shall fall into the hands of one who will have a better use of it. Undue gain will not last with him for ever. Someone will get a possession of it by hook or crook. In our Lord's parable the pound is taken from one who made no good use of it and is given to a more profitable servant (Luke 19:24).

Prayer becoming abomination

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

If you do not listen to what God reveals in His word, then your prayer shall be an abomination before Him. Many children of God have not got their prayers answered by God because they had no ears to hear Him.

Righteous going astray

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).

Do not cause a righteous man to go astray from God's word, drifting towards an evil way. Even as a child of God, you should not cause a righteous man to go astray in an evil way. If you do so, you will fall yourself in the same pit you have made for him. If you are an upright man fearing God, then you shall have good things in your possession. Blessings will come your way if you are upright in the eyes of God.

Rich man in conceit

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

A rich man appears to be wise in his own thinking but a poor man who knows and understands God can search the heart of the rich man by discernment. God gives the power of discernment to a God fearing saint who lacks in material prosperity.

Righteous men versus wicked

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

Righeous men do rejoice over good things and there is great glory of these righteous men manifested to defeat the powers of darkness. But when the wicked rule or rise, the people have to hide themselves from their wickedness.

Covering sins

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

We should not cover our sins but confess and forsake the same so that we shall have mercy of God. This is reiterated in 1 John 1:9. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". The children of God need to examine their lives daily for any secret sins which are not confessed to God.

Fear of God

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

A man who fears God remains happy always but one who hardens his heart without fear of God shall fall into mischief. Mischief befalls every one, even a child of God, if he hardens his heart due to deceitfulness of sin.

Wicked ruler

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people (Proverbs 28:15).

If a wicked ruler reigns in a nation, he is like a roaring lion and a ranging bear. He destroys the economy of the nation and makes the people suffer.

Hating covetousness

The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days (Proverbs 28:16).

A ruler who does not understand the divine law is also a great oppressor. He does not follow the divine law but his own men-made law which is in conflict with the divine law, God will judge him or remove him from the throne by death. However, he can prolong his days by hating covetousness but God has already numbered his days. The ruler may not covet material things for himself but does not follow the divine law.

Violence

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him (Proverbs 28:17).

A murderer or one who does violence to seek the blood of another person shall definitely go to the pit of the hell or shall face the divine judgment. Let no man protect him from his deserved judgment unless he repents and believes in Jesus Christ for his salvation.

Walking uprightly

Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once (Proverbs 28:18).

He who walks uprightly shall be saved by the grace of God. Nowadays, there is a great deception that anyone who accepts Jesus as his saviour without walking uprightly can be saved. But one who is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. Even a child of God who is perverse in his ways shall not receive mercy of God owing to divine judgment. Perverseness means acting contrary to what is right or good; wicked or depraved.

Plenty of bread

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough (Proverbs 28:19).

One who works hard in his vineyard, business or profession shall have plenty of material blessings. But he who follows vain persons shall have poverty enough. Vain person means one who is excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements. If you follow any vain person, you will not have material prosperity at all.

Faithfulness and blessings

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent (Proverbs 28:20).

A man who is faithful to God and man shall abound with material blessings. But one who makes haste to become rich shall not be innocent because he wants to be rich overnight by deceitful means and not by working with his own hands.

Respect of persons

To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress (Proverbs 28:21).

Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

Even a righteous person may sin for a piece of bread. If belly is your god, you may sin when you are allured to material prosperity by a false doctrine.

Becoming rich

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him (Proverbs 28:22).

He who intends to be rich has an evil eye. One should not work with his own hands just to become rich. If he does so, one day poverty will knock on his door. One gets an evil eye when his intent is to covet money. Judas had an evil eye, though he was a disciple of Jesus. Evil eye is a mind to covet fame or money.

Rebuke and flattery

He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue (Proverbs 28:23).

You should always rebuke a man whom you love so as to correct him. You will definitely find more favour with him. A man who flatters him will not find favour with him.

Robbing parents

Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer (Proverbs 28:24).

How do you rob your father or your mother? Not necessarily by taking hold of their money or property but also robbing them of your attention and love when they become old. Many Christians do not take proper care of their parents once they have settled abroad. Though they may send money regularly and talk to them frequently, they do not visit their aged parents with their families to spend quality time with them. Parents do not need mere money and telecommunication but also personal love and care of their children.

If the children legally justify their robbery of the money or property of their parents on some excuse, they are called the companion of a destroyer, who is none but the devil who comes but to steal and destroy.

Proud heart and trust God

He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat (Proverbs 28:25).

There are two kinds of people. One who is of a proud heart causes strife because he or she does not have the humbleness to accept the views of others. Another person who puts his or her trust in the Lord shall be made prosperous. The person who trusts the Lord does not cause a strife as he does his or her best to deal with any situation wisely. God makes this person prosperous materially.

Trusting in own heart

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered (Proverbs 28:26).

A fool is one who trusts in his own heart but does not trust in the Lord. Normally, a fool is described as one who is devoid of prudence or a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person. But, Proverbs teaches us on the characters and behaviour of a fool in diverse meaning.

Giving to poor

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse (Proverbs 28:27).

One who gives to the poor shall not lack in material things. But one who hides his eyes from the poor shall have many a curse. Today many of us inherit curses when we close our eyes on the poor who live in our midst.

Rise of wicked

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

When the wicked people rise or rule, the people hide themselves from their wickedness in order to escape cruelty or harassment in their hands. But when the wicked perish, the righteous rise and rule. When a wicked ruler or an autocratic person in rule is dethroned, a righteous ruler takes over the reigns. Until and unless the wicked rules, the righteous one cannot increase. Wickedness and righteousness cannot cohabit.

Next....Chapter 29