God Speaks
The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
but the godly are as bold as lions.
2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
3 A poor person who oppresses the poor
is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.
4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
to obey the law is to fight them.
5 Evil people don’t understand justice,
but those who follow the Lord understand completely.
6 Better to be poor and honest
than to be dishonest and rich.
7 Young people who obey the law are wise;
those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.
8 Income from charging high interest rates
will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.
9 God detests the prayers
of a person who ignores the law.
10 Those who lead good people along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the honest will inherit good things.
11 Rich people may think they are wise,
but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.
12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,
but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.
16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
but one who hates corruption will have a long life.
17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
Don’t protect him!
18 The blameless will be rescued from harm,
but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.
19 A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.
21 Showing partiality is never good,
yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.
22 Greedy people try to get rich quick
but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
far more than flattery.
24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother
and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
is no better than a murderer.
25 Greed causes fighting;
trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.
26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
28 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
[TBR 132: Psalms 65-67, 69-70 (May 12, 2023) Prayers and action points for these psalms are covered in the PTTB archives. Therefore, we will go back and present prayers and action points for Proverbs 28]
Reflection: For the purpose of study in comparison and contrast, Proverbs 28 is presented here with the good or godly statements in italic.
1. The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are bold as lions.
2. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily, but wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
3. A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.
4. To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them.
5. Evil people don’t understand justice. but those who follow the LORD understand completely.
6. Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich.
7. Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.
8. Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pockets of someone who is kind to the poor.
9. God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law.
10. Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things.
11. Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.
12. When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked are in charge, people go into hiding.
13. People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
14. Blessed are those who fear to do wrong [fear the LORD], but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
15. A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.
16. A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will live a long life.
17. A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him!
18. The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.
19. A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
20. A trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.
21. Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.
22. Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
23. In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.
24. Anyone who steals from his father and mother and says, “What’s wrong with that?” is no better than a murderer.
25. Greed causes fighting; trusting the LORD leads to prosperity.
26. Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
27. Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty with be cursed.
28. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.
Consider the following questions regarding Proverbs 28:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. God always grants favor for godly actions, now or in eternity.
2. People will eventually be held accountable for the wicked actions they do not forsake and trust God to forgive.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Proverbs 28?
Dear LORD God, You are the source of all wisdom. I desire to fear You above all else. Then I will be able to face any kind of danger (real or perceived) with boldness and courage. At present, my nation (USA) is experiencing the consequences of moral rot, lawlessness, and foolish decisions. People are in hiding. Please help us to elect or select wise leaders to give us stability. May the people we elect or select be people who are honest, who obey the law, who fear You, who are trustworthy, who fear to do wrong, who are hard workers, who hate corruption, who confess and forsake their sins, and who receive mercy and forgiveness. Trusting and obeying You will lead us to justice, peace, success, prosperity, and safety. It will also bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Proverbs 28? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will pray 10 minutes daily for my nation, especially that people turn to God or at least live by biblical principles.
- I will commit to living by biblical principles.
- I will ask God the Holy Spirit to help me to live wisely.
- I will point someone to the wise counsel of the scriptures.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________