(Proverbs 28:1-28)
1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 Due to a wrongdoing of a land its leaders are many,
But by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.
3 A poor man who oppresses the helpless
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.
4 Those who abandon the Law praise the wicked,
But those who keep the Law strive against them.
5 Evil people do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand everything.
6 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity,
Than a person who is crooked, though he is rich.
7 He who keeps the Law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.
8 One who increases his wealth by interest of any kind,
Collects it for one who is gracious to the poor.
9 One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 One who leads the upright astray in an evil way
Will himself fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich person is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13 One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper,
But one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion.
14 How blessed is the person who fears always,
But one who hardens his heart will fall into disaster.
15 Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear
Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 A person who is burdened with the guilt of human blood
Will be a fugitive until death; no one is to support him!
18 One who walks blamelessly will receive help,
But one who is crooked will fall all at once.
19 One who works his land will have plenty of food,
But one who follows empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful person will abound with blessings,
But one who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A person with an evil eye hurries after wealth
And does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 One who rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
Than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 He who robs his father or his mother
And says, “There is no wrong done,”
Is the companion of a person who destroys.
25 An arrogant person stirs up strife,
But one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.
26 One who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But one who walks wisely will flee to safety.
27 One who gives to the poor will never lack anything,
But one who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 Due to a wrongdoing of a land its leaders are many,
But by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.
3 A poor man who oppresses the helpless
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.
4 Those who abandon the Law praise the wicked,
But those who keep the Law strive against them.
5 Evil people do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand everything.
6 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity,
Than a person who is crooked, though he is rich.
7 He who keeps the Law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.
8 One who increases his wealth by interest of any kind,
Collects it for one who is gracious to the poor.
9 One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 One who leads the upright astray in an evil way
Will himself fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich person is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13 One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper,
But one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion.
14 How blessed is the person who fears always,
But one who hardens his heart will fall into disaster.
15 Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear
Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 A person who is burdened with the guilt of human blood
Will be a fugitive until death; no one is to support him!
18 One who walks blamelessly will receive help,
But one who is crooked will fall all at once.
19 One who works his land will have plenty of food,
But one who follows empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful person will abound with blessings,
But one who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A person with an evil eye hurries after wealth
And does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 One who rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
Than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 He who robs his father or his mother
And says, “There is no wrong done,”
Is the companion of a person who destroys.
25 An arrogant person stirs up strife,
But one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.
26 One who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But one who walks wisely will flee to safety.
27 One who gives to the poor will never lack anything,
But one who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
It doesn't matter if you appear to be good or religious, God looks at the heart. He will only save those who confess their sins. And as verse 13 points out, after confessing our sins, we should want to abandon our sinful ways. Wisdom is understanding that sin hurts and destroys us and others; while obeying the Lord, living in His will, and trusting Him and what He says, will satisfy and prosper us.
When we are doing things that are wrong, we are only adding to all the other woes and destruction of this world. At the same time, we will also be cheering on and giving accolades to those who are also doing wrong, because misery loves company. But even just hanging out with the wrong crowds can cause our parents to feel sorrow. We might think that we are better than that and could never do any of these things, but it is possible, and these things will sneak in. They usually start small and then get bigger.
One has to become more arrogant, shut their eyes, and harden their hearts even more in order to continue on with this type of lifestyle: chasing after wealth, leisure and/or popularity while oppressing others; manipulating people through flattery; and/or stealing from one's parents and not thinking this is wrong... Eventually, our own wrong actions will catch up to us. Until that point in time, when we know we've done something wrong, we'll always be looking over our shoulder, afraid that we'll get caught; and feeling alone because there is no protection or justification.
Just so, there is no such fear when we have been living righteously. When we, in God's strength, remain vigilant and avoid evil, and do things the right way, without prejudices, we will be helping to build healthier, stronger relationships with the Lord, our family, friends and society. And we don't have to strive to earn lots of money in order to be "rich". Having integrity, wisdom and discernment, and living righteously and generously is worth far more than financial wealth.
In order to understand what and how things should actually be done, we should seek the Lord and His wisdom, always. Part of this process, is knowing that our sins will impede our prayers. The Lord has compassion on those who soften and humble their hearts to confess their sins and abandon them. For those who love and respect the Lord, He honors and works things out for good and protects us!
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