The following are a few nuggets of truth that the Lord spoke to me about while reading Proverbs 28. I hope they prove to be a blessing to you.
One man, one person can change the world:
By the transgression of a land many are its princes, but by (who) a man of (what) understanding and knowledge, so it endures. (28:2)
Note: God, in His sovereignty, often uses changes in the leadership of a country to bring about His divine chastening, judgment and punishment. Remember the history of the northern kingdom of Israel? When the land is plunged into apostasy, sin and transgression, often new heads of state emerge who, by law, decree and dictate, drive that society towards destruction— morally, economically, militarily, spiritually, or all combined. But the Word says that by the wisdom of a man of understanding and knowledge… presumably understanding and knowledge of the Lord, the land will endure and stability will be ensured. Remember Joseph to Pharaoh; Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar; Isaiah to Hezekiah. Remember what happened to the northern kingdom of Israel when the voices of Elijah and Elisha could be heard no longer? And remember that it doesn’t say, men, or committee or council or government, but, man. Singular. One man. You. Me. Just one man.
Why? Why will the land of evil and transgression endure because of the understanding and knowledge of one man? Part of the answer is found in verse 5:
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who (what) seek the LORD understand (what) all things. (28:5)
And by the way, when the Scriptures say, “all“— it means, “all.” This is known as the wisdom and knowledge of God.
But sometimes the evil princes of the land refuse to hear from those who possess the understanding and knowledge of the Lord. They become angry, arrogant and belligerent to the words of wisdom from those who place the Lord as their King. “Who are you to speak to me about sin or transgression in my life,” they utter to the Godly with great disdain. “Look what I have created with my own hands. Look at the riches I have under my control. Look at the power I have over life and death… even over you. Who are you to even speak to me, let alone bring a rebuke.”
The Lord has something to say to them in this chapter.
The Godly will always be at odds with the unrighteous:
Those who (what) forsake the law praise (who) the wicked, but those who keep the law strive with them (the wicked, those who forsake the law). (28:4)
Even when the unrighteous try to do right, it is of no avail. Why? Because their heart is bent on rebellion and disobedience:
He who turns away his ear from listening to the law (rebellion and disobedience), even his prayer (righteous act) is an abomination. (28:9)
Sin loves company. But the one who leads the upright astray will suffer the consequences of his own sin and rebellion:
He who leads the upright astray (how) in an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good. (28:10)
“Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever (what) causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!” (Matthew 18:4-7)
See also Romans 1:21-32
You cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve God and money:
The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor who has understanding (which allows him to) sees through him. (28:11)
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24)
Once you understand your sin, you must confess and repent of it. If not, your heart will become cold, hard and calloused and you will fail to fear (or revere) the Lord:
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who (1) confesses and (2) forsakes them will find compassion (or mercy, forgiveness). How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. (28:13-14)
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10)
When rough times come to all, it is the man who trusts in the Lord and not in his riches that will be delivered:
He who walks blamelessly (what) will be delivered, but he who is crooked will fall all at once. He who tills his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, (why) because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. A man with an evil eye (what) hastens after wealth and does not know that want will come upon him. (28:18-22)
Finally, the arrogant and unrighteous continually strive to stir up strife so they can use their own human wisdom to solve the problem. Buy those who have the understanding, wisdom and knowledge of God, and trust in them!— will prosper and be delivered:
An arrogant man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered. (28:25-26)
