Proverbs 28 opens with a striking contrast in courage with “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Wickedness creates paranoia, running from imagined threats, seeing enemies everywhere, living in constant fear even when no one’s chasing. But righteousness produces boldness like a lion, confident, unafraid, standing firm because conscience is clear. This isn’t arrogance; it’s the security of integrity. When you’re not hiding anything, you don’t fear exposure. When your way is upright, you don’t anticipate ambush. The chapter immediately addresses governance, “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.” National instability produces endless leadership changes. But a leader with understanding and knowledge brings stability and longevity.
My spirit anchors in the chapter’s most famous verse about sin, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Covering sin, hiding, denying, rationalizing, minimizing, prevents prosperity. But confession combined with forsaking produces mercy. Notice both are required: confess AND forsake. Acknowledging sin without abandoning it isn’t repentance; it’s just admission. Forsaking without confession is behavior modification without heart change. Both together, honest acknowledgment and actual turning away, position you for God’s mercy. The chapter continues, “Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” Constant fear of the LORD (reverence, awe, not terror) produces happiness. Hardening your heart against conviction leads to mischief, trouble, calamity, disaster. Soft hearts stay sensitive to God’s correction; hard hearts march toward destruction.
The chapter addresses wealth pursuit with multiple warnings stating “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him... A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent... To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.” Rushing to get rich reveals an evil eye, covetous, envious, grasping. The hasty wealth-seeker doesn’t realize poverty is coming. Meanwhile, the faithful person, consistent, trustworthy, patient, abounds with blessings. And those who show partiality to the rich will transgress for small gains, even for a piece of bread. The chapter also contrasts rebuke and flattery, “He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.” The person who corrects you though it stings initially earns lasting favor. The flatterer who tells you what you want to hear produces temporary pleasure but eventual contempt.
The chapter’s clearest warning about self-trust is “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” Trusting your own heart, your feelings, your instincts, your self-assessment, is foolishness. Jeremiah 17:9 warns “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Your heart will lie to you, justify your sin, rationalize your choices. Walking in wisdom means distrusting your heart’s testimony and relying on external truth. The chapter concludes with blessing and curse regarding the poor: “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.” Give to the poor and you won’t lack. Hide your eyes from poverty around you and curses multiply. When wicked people gain power, people hide. When they’re removed, the righteous flourish and increase.
What do you see and hear listening/reading this proverb? Are there particular patterns or verses that resonate with you? Are you living with the guilty paranoia of the wicked fleeing when no one pursues, or the bold confidence of the righteous? What sins are you covering that prevent prosperity? Where are you hastening to be rich with an evil eye, not considering that poverty awaits? Are you trusting your own heart? Do you give to the poor or hide your eyes from their need? Prayer Warrior for Life.
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