Giving Needed Rebuke is Never Easy
October 26, 2019
Commentary
The oppressive rule of a wicked leader is compared to the vicious attack of a roaring lion (v. 15). He oppresses the poor like a wild beast among the people. He bears rule with a heavy hand and fails to see that the security of his job should be related to the welfare of those under him (v. 16). Don’t give help to murderers (v. 17)! If necessary, make them stay on the run for as long as they live. Honesty will keep you safe, but everyone who is crooked will suddenly fall (v. 18).
The hardworking farmer will have plenty to eat while whose who expect something for nothing will be poor (v. 19). Likewise, the person who devotes himself to faithfully tilling the fields of Scripture will grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. Being eager to get rich quick often leads to dishonest ways of trying to get wealth (vv. 20-22).
We are never being kind to a person if we just gloss over his faults and make him feel comfortable in his wrongdoing (v. 23). We may seem to please the person at the time but ultimately it will be of little value to anyone. Giving needed rebukeis never easy but, in the end, the wise will be grateful for it. If you cheat your parents and don’t think it’s wrong, you are a common thief (v. 24).
The man that is directed by pride will always be stirring up strife as he tries to be in the limelight (v. 25). The man who trusts in his own heart is a fool and will wander in self-deception. The person who walks humbly will walk wisely, avoiding many problems (v. 26). The person who sees and helps the needy will never be a loser. On the other hand, the person who hoards all his possessions will only bring grief and anguish to himself in the end (v. 27). God wants us to identify with the needy, not ignore them. When crooks are in control, everyone tries to hide, but when they lose power, good people are everywhere (v. 28).
Application
Which of the admonitions above do I find the most needed in my life? What can I do to strengthen this area of my life for the glory of God?
Proverbs 28:15– 28 (NET)
15 Like a roaring lion or a roving bear, so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom, but the one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 The one who is tormented by the murder of another will flee to the pit; let no one support him.
18 The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered, but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall at once.
19 The one who works his land will be satisfied with food, but whoever chases daydreams will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful person will have an abundance of blessings, but the one who hastens to gain riches will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is terrible, for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread.
22 The stingy person hastens after riches and does not know that poverty will overtake him.
23 The one who reproves another will in the end find more favor than the one who flatters with the tongue.
24 The one who robs his father and mother and says, “There is no transgression,” is a companion to the one who destroys.
25 The greedy person stirs up dissension, but the one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.
26 The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but the one who walks in wisdom will escape.
27 The one who gives to the poor will not lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked gain control, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Illustration: The Queen’s Reaction to Sir Walter Raleigh’s Request
Sir Walter Raleigh once made a request of the Queen, and she reluctantly answered, “Raleigh, when will you ever stop begging?” Walter replied, “When your Majesty stops giving.” His request was granted. But the God of all grace never grows weary of our asking, and never rebukes us for coming. (Henry W. Frost).