Proverbs
28 reminds me that the relationship between cause and effect is
always revealed over time. This Proverb seems to have been written
by an older Solomon after observing many lives play-out before him.
It almost reads like he has a specific person in mind with each line.
He begins, “The
wicked flee though no one pursues“.
Some people are always looking over their shoulder to see what might
be catching up to them from their past and unfortunately they
frequently run into more trouble as a result. If we do not learn
from our mistakes, then we continue making them. Apparently this
applies to nations as well, “When
a country is rebellious, it has many rulers“.
Without a standard, people are easily deceived, “Those
who forsake instruction praise the wicked“.
This cascading effect of corruption always devolves into devaluing
human life, “Evildoers
do not understand what is right“.
With a parental eye, he notes, “a
companion of gluttons disgraces his father“.
Perhaps referring to the violence associated with continuously
taking advantage of the helpless, he says of their money, he “amasses
it for another“. There
is no peaceful retirement for those who make many enemies.
Ultimately, they come to a place of utter contempt, “If
anyone
turns
a deaf ear to my instruction,
even
their prayers are detestable“.
And we see this sad truth, “Whoever
leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap“.
Are you ready to listen?
Next
he points out the false sense of infallibility that money can bring.
“The rich
are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and
discerning
sees how deluded they are“.
Understand, there is no virtue in poverty, but we should never
assume discernment because of one’s possessions. Some are building
wealth while living modestly and others are squandering wealth while
living lavishly.
Next
he makes a political observation, “when
the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding“.
People always adjust their behavior according to the new
circumstances. And sometimes God uses the ungodly to produce
revival, “one
who confesses and renounces [sin]
finds mercy… Blessed is the one who always trembles before God“.
The
chapter ends with a series of conclusions. Innovation never
flourishes when a leader rules with fear, “A
tyrannical ruler practices extortion“.
God gives us a conscience to lead us to repentance. “Anyone
tormented by
the
guilt
of murder will seek refuge in the grave“.
Is guilt haunting you? There is no replacement for hard work. He
says simply, “Those
who work their land will have abundant food“.
It is
never
easy to lovingly share the truth, but many times it pays off in a
trusted friendship, “Whoever
rebukes a person will in the end gain favor“.
Those with shortsighted vision often miss the connection we have
with everyone else around us, “The
stingy
are
eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them“.
He warns about those that stir up division to hide their true
motives, “The
greedy
stir
up conflict“.
He ends by connecting all of the experiences together. “Those
who trust in themselves are fools“.
Hosea 8:7 describes it this way, “They
sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind“.
Without God we will be left with disappointment. Philippians 1:6
offers us a promise and is the reason for our hope, “being
confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in
you will complete it
until the day of Jesus Christ“.
Maybe it is time to trust in a relationship with the God that is
bigger than your problem?