In The Word
Read: Proverbs 28 & 29
Warnings and Instructions
28 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.
Warnings and Instructions
29 A person often rebuked who becomes obstinate
Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked person rules, people groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who involves himself with prostitutes wastes his wealth.
4 The king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a person who takes bribes ruins it.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
6 By wrongdoing an evil person is ensnared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor;
The wicked does not understand such concern.
8 Arrogant people inflame a city,
But wise people turn away anger.
9 When a wise person has a controversy with a foolish person,
The foolish person either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
10 People of bloodshed hate the blameless person,
But the upright are concerned for his life.
11 A fool always loses his temper,
But a wise person holds it back.
12 If a ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.
13 The poor person and the oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and a rebuke give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, wrongdoing increases;
But the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
He will also delight your soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,
But happy is one who keeps the Law.
19 A slave will not be instructed by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no response.
20 Do you see a person who is hasty with his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 One who pampers his slave from childhood
Will in the end find him to be rebellious.
22 An angry person stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered person abounds in wrongdoing.
23 A person’s pride will bring him low,
But a humble spirit will obtain honor.
24 One who is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He hears the oath but tells nothing.
25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But one who trusts in the Lord will be protected.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for mankind comes from the Lord.
27 An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous,
And one who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
This time of year is often election season in the United States. Today’s reading addresses the importance of government leaders, because they control the direction of the community, state, and nation; they have great influence upon the people. Proverbs 28:12, 15 says, “When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.”
Throughout the Bible, God discusses government authority and even addresses a Christian’s role in government. God established the United States as a government that has its leadership chosen by its citizens. Thus, for Christians, we must recognize that God has entrusted to us the responsibility to boldly use our godly values to influence our governmental authority with our votes and our voices. Sometimes Christians face a conflict with whom to vote for, being torn based on party lines, family tradition, peer pressure, candidate popularity, or having no godly candidates to choose from.
If your community has an upcoming election, it is imperative that you vote based on biblical principles after having done careful research on the candidates using well-established Christian sources, not traditional media outlets. When given the opportunity, vote for the candidate that will most likely support godly principles with their voice and vote. Whenever possible, we must elect leaders that fear and follow God as proven by their life, marriage, business practices, and voting record. Proverbs 29:2 says, “When a wicked man rules, people groan” (Proverbs 29:2).