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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Proverbs 28:18 - 28:28
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The Advantages of Integrity
v. 18. Whoso walketh uprightly, in the integrity of pious conduct, shall be saved, delivered or helped by the Lord; but he that is perverse in his ways, trying to hide his wickedness under the mantle of hypocrisy, shall fall at once, be brought to sudden ruin.
v. 19. He that tilleth his land, working in the sweat of his face, shall have plenty of bread, as the reward of his labor; but he that followeth after vain persons, being engaged in all kinds of vain and foolish pursuits, leading the life of an idle drone, shall have poverty enough, be surfeited with it. Cf Pro_12:11.
v. 20. A faithful man, one using the strictest fidelity and uprightness in all his dealings, shall abound with blessings, given to him by the Lord in recognition of his faithful conduct; but he that maketh haste to be rich, thereby becoming guilty of dishonorable dealings, shall not be innocent, his guilt, rather, being charged to his account with a full reckoning.
v. 21. To have respect of persons is not good, that is, to let one's judgment be guided by personal considerations; for a piece of bread, for a very small bribe, that man, one readily hired by a bribe, will transgress, a trifle will sway his judgment.
v. 22. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, one showing the covetous nature of his heart, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him; for riches are perishable, and God will bring him to want before he realizes his plight.
v. 23. He that rebuketh a man, earnestly bringing his backsliding tendency to his attention, afterwards shall find more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue, for a person saved from a foolish step by a word of warning will esteem the fearless reprover and despise the fawning flatterer.
v. 24. Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, simply appropriating goods belonging to them, and saith, It is no transgression, trying to make light of sin, the same is the companion of a destroyer, to be ranked with, and treated like, highwaymen.
v. 25. He that is of a proud heart, rather, the covetous man, with his grasping ways, stirreth up strife, excites quarrels; but he that putteth his trust In the Lord, trusting in His goodness and bounty for all good gifts, shall be made fat, with a rich reward of God's kindness.
v. 26. He that trusteth in his own heart, guided solely by first impressions and impulses, without careful reasoning and weighing of all facts, is a fool, for the feelings are an uncertain foundation of actions; but whoso walketh wisely, taking into account the course suggested by wisdom, he shall be delivered, from foolish moves and resulting harm.
v. 27. He that giveth unto the poor, practicing charity in the right manner, shall not lack, the Lord Himself preserving him from want; but he that hideth his eyes, deliberately closing them against evidence of need, in an utter lack of sympathy, shall have many a curse, namely, the curses of the poor whom he neglects.
v. 28. When the wicked rise, attaining to positions of power and influence, men hide themselves, fearing oppression; but when they perish, the righteous increase, since they no longer are oppressed by tyrants, they can once more form a numerous and strong party. It is for this reason that we pray for a good government, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.