Read Proverbs
28-29 & 2
Corinthians 7
To discover:
As you read consider what
lessons strike you most forcefully.
To ponder:
Some lessons from
Proverbs 28: The wicked look over their shoulder assuming they are being
pursued, but the righteous are confident they are not. Rebelliousness in a
nation leads to many rulers are each is deposed and replaced. But order is
maintained by a ruler with understanding. A ruler who oppresses the poor
destroys their ability to flourish like driving rain on crops. One’s attitude
to the law is reflected in one’s attitude to the wicked. Those who seek God, not
evil men, understand justice. It is better to be poor and blameless than rich
and perverse. A father is honoured by a son who keeps the law, but disgraced by
one who is friends with greedy people. Those who get rich by unjust means will
pass their wealth to those who will actually be kind to the poor. Here, the
suggestion is that the righteous inherit what the wicked gain, pointing
ultimately to their inheriting the earth. God hates the prayers of those who
ignore the law. Those leading the upright astray will fall into their own trap,
but the blameless receive a good inheritance – presumably the eternal one. The
discerning poor man sees through the rich man who considers himself wise.
People are delighted when the righteous gain power, but hide when the wicked
do, because of what it will mean. Those who hides their sins, presumably from
God, doesn’t prosper, whilst those who confess receive his mercy, and with it
blessing. Likewise, those who continue t fear the LORD are blessed, but those
who start well but harden their hearts fall into trouble. A wicked man ruling
helpless people is like a raging predator in the harm he will do. Tyrants lack
judgement. Those who hate dishonest gain enjoy long life under God’s blessing.
The murderer will be a fugitive until he dies, and should not be supported. If
you work hard you will have abundant food, but if you chase dreams you will be
poor. The faithful will be blessed, but those who are materialistic in desiring
wealth will be punished, presumably because this will show itself in sin. It is
not good to show partiality in court, but it can be acknowledged that the
hungry will do wrong to provide for themselves. The stingy are eager to be
rich, but unaware that they will be poor, presumably in punishment for their lack
of generosity. In the end, those who rebuke others will receive more favour
from others than flatterers, as people will see their integrity. Those who
think it acceptable to steal from their parents partner those who destroy
others, because this is to do evil. Greedy people stir up arguments, presumably
over what they should have. Those who trust God for provision prosper. It is
foolish to trust in oneself, and the wise will be kept safe, no doubt by God’s
direct care but also as a consequence of their wisdom. Those who give to the
poor will have all they need, but those who ignore them be cursed. The
righteous thrive when the wicked perish.
Some lessons from Proverbs 29: Those
who remain stubborn after many rebukes will be suddenly destroyed. Again, this
may be directly by God, or by consequence of their foolishness. People groan
when the wicked rule. A friend of prostitutes squanders his wealth, presumably
on them. A just ruler means a stable country, but one greedy for bribes to buy
his will destroys it. Flattery spreads a net for one’s neighbour, perhaps by
tempting him to pride or not confronting his sin. Evil men are caught by their
own sin, but the righteous can rejoice in knowing that will not happen to them.
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked don’t. Mocking
people stir people up to rebellion, presumably by mocking the rulers. By
contrast, the wise quell people’s anger and so bring peace. When a wise man
goes to court against a fool, he can expect them to rage and scoff at the
charges, with no peace. Bloodthirsty people hate and seek to kill the upright.
Fools vent anger but the wise control theirs. If a ruler listens to lies, his
officials become wicked, probably because they are tempted to lie to further
their own ends. In grace God gives sight to both the poor and the oppressor.
Fair rulers will be secure in their office. Disciplining a child brings wisdom,
delighting and granting peace to his parents. But those not disciplined end up
disgracing their parents. Sin thrives when the wicked do, but the righteous
will see them fall, if not now, in the judgement. Without the revelations of
the Old Testament prophets (today, God’s word in scripture taught) people cast
off al restraint on their sin. But those who keep the law (God’s will) will be
blessed. A servant needs more than words to be corrected – presumably
discipline. There is more hope for fools than those who speak too quickly,
probably because of the trouble they can get themselves into. If a man pampers
his servant (employee?) he will bring him grief, presumably by taking
advantage. The angry man causes arguments and commits many sins. Pride brings a
man low, no doubt because he will make mistakes and sin against God. By
contrast, the humble man is honoured, presumably because of his righteousness.
The accomplice to a crime is his own worst enemy, because he will end up
perjuring himself by refusing to testify. Fear of man in general is a snare as
it causes people to sin. It is those who trust God who are kept safe. Many seek
justice from rulers, but it is only from the LORD that justice is certain. The
righteous hate the dishonest an dthe wicked hate the upright.
Praying it
home:
Praise God for
whatever he has most brought home to you. Pray that he would help you live according
to that wisdom.
Thinking
further:
None
today.
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