Proverbs 28, Live with Integrity - Bible Study...

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LIVE WITH INTEGRITY

PROVERBS 28:1-28

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Avenue, Nashville, TN., 37216, John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor


Live With Integrity

Text: Proverbs 28:1-28, 1. The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. 2. When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. 3. A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. 4. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. 5. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. 6. Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse. 7. He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. 8. He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. 9. If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable. 10. He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. 11. A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him. 12. When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding. 13. He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. 14. Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.



15. Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people. 16. A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment, but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life. 17. A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death; let no one support him. 18. He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall. 19. He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. 20. A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. 21. To show partiality is not good— yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. 22. A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him. 23. He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue. 24. He who robs his father or mother and says, "It's not wrong"—he is partner to him who destroys. 25. A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. 26. He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. 27. He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. 28. When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive. (NIV) Introduction: I. What used to be wrong seems to be right now, and what was right in the past is a cause for laughter and derision now.



II. Have we lost our understanding of basic right and wrong which has remained unchanged for the last two thousand (2,000) years? III. Simplistic, Biblical, or both? IV. Live right! Be in harmony with God. Live wrong! Be in harmony with the devil. V. Those who live lives of integrity will:

A. deal honestly with everyone. B. choose friends wisely. C. not charge usury; i.e., exorbitant interest. D. not mislead others in any way.

VI. This lesson text is a part of the collection of proverbs of Solomon collected/edited by Hezekiah’s men.

A. These proverbs deal with the powerful and the weak, the sinner and the righteous. B. These proverbs detail God’s position/interaction in regard to/with each of these groups.

Commentary: Proverbs 28:1, The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. (NIV) I. Proverbs 18-29 and Proverbs 10:1-22:16 are similar in that they fre-quently contrast good and evil.



II. In this verse the contrast is between wicked criminals who flee when no man pursueth because of fear of being arrested and because of a guilty conscience and righteous people who have no fear that they will be arrested and maintain a good conscience boldly before God and man.

A. Job 15:20-24, All his days the wicked man suffers torment, the ruthless through all the years stored up for him. Terrifying sounds fill his ears; when all seems well, marauders attack him. He despairs of escaping the darkness; he is marked for the sword. He wanders about—food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand. Distress and anguish fill him with terror; they overwhelm him, like a king poised to attack, (NIV)

Proverbs 28:2, When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. (NIV) I. When a country is unstable, its government is unstable. This is illustrated by the Northern Tribes of Israel who had many rulers, brief reigns, assassinations. Some rulers pulled toward evil and some pulled in the way of the Lord. II. When a land transgresses the will of God, confusion and political upheaval result. III. When a people live in harmony with the will of God, government reflects this oneness of mind and is itself stable. IV. The governments of God-fearing men such as Asa, Jehoshaphat, Uzziah, and Hezekiah illustrate this. Proverbs 28:3, A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. (NIV)



I. A needy man (ruler) who oppresses the poor is a beating rain/flood that leaves no food. II. A tyrant who oppresses the poor is like a flood that leaves no food in the field. III. Abimelech may have been such a tyrant. Judges 9. IV. Needy/poor man evidently refers to a usurper of rulership who has no interest in the citizenry. V. The worst schoolyard bully may be the one who has himself been bullied. Needy revolutionists make the most iniquitous demagogues as was the case in the Russian Communist Revolution of 1917. Proverbs 28:4, Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. (NIV) I. People who have no respect for the law (religious/civil) have a cam-araderie with the wicked, praise the wicked, and imitate their example. II. Those who keep/observe the law (religious/civil) content with/oppose evil doers.

A. Romans 1:32, Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (KJV)

Proverbs 28:5, Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. (NIV) I. Evil men do not understand justice (religious/civil). Their perception is perverted. II. People disobey the law and are angry because they are imprisoned.



III. Those who seek Jehovah understand the need to comply with God’s law and civil law that justice may be done.

A. Romans 1:24-32, Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, mali-ciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (KJV)

B. Proverbs 29:7, The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. (NIV)

Proverbs 28:6, Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse. (NIV) I. Poverty with integrity is better than wealth with perverseness.



A. Proverbs 19:1, Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. (NIV)

Proverbs 28:7, He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. (NIV) I. Wise children obey the law (civil/religious/parental). II. Children who company with gluttons, debaucherers, and riotous livers bring shame to their parents.

A. Proverbs 29:3, A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. (NIV)

B. Proverbs 10:1, The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. (NIV)

Proverbs 28:8, He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. (NIV) I. Those unscrupulous loan sharks who amass fortunes by usury, interest (monetary) or unjust gain (payment in kind) will live to see their ill gotten gain distributed to the poor. II. While this did occur on occasion, this can also be understood as God’s wishes in a circumstance like this; i.e., that the defrauded poor benefit from the greed of those who would have mistreated them. III. This may be associated with drug dealers supporting police departments by the confiscation of their property.

A. Ezekiel 18:10-13, "Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things (though the father has



done none of them):" He eats at the mountain shrines. He defiles his neighbor's wife. He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things. He lends at usury and takes excessive interest. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death and his blood will be on his own head. (NIV)

Proverbs 28:9, If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable. (NIV) I. Those who refuse to hear and obey the law (of Moses/Christ) will find even their prayers an abomination in the sight of God.

A. Proverbs 15:8, The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. (NIV)

B. Proverbs 15:26, The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him. (NIV)

C. Isaiah 1:15, When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; (NIV)

D. John 9:31, Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (KJV)

E. Psalm 109:7, When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him. (NIV)

Proverbs 28:10, He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. (NIV)



I. Those who cause the upright to go astray will themselves suffer the evil/punishment they have caused to fall upon the righteous.

A. Proverbs 26:27, If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. (NIV)

B. Esther 7:10, So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided. (NIV)

Proverbs 28:11, A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him. (NIV) I. The rich have an unrealistically inflated opinion of themselves (big heads). II. However, intelligent people with understanding see the rich in a more realistic manner/perspective.

A. Proverbs 18:11, The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall. (NIV)

III. Purse-proud arrogance which looks upon financial skill and sharpness in bargaining as true wisdom is confined to no specific age nor country. Proverbs 28:12, When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding. (NIV) I. When righteousness triumphs/gains the ascendancy, there is great benefit to all who are affected. II. Terrible sorrow and suffering result when wicked people are in power. In those times people hid themselves from the influence of the evil doers.



III. Consider Hitler, the Cambodian “Killing Fields,” Stalin, and many others.

A. Proverbs 11:10, When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. (NIV)

B. I Kings 4:20, 21, The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy. And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon's subjects all his life. (NIV)

C. Proverbs 28:28, When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive. (NIV)

Proverbs 28:13, He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (NIV) I. Those who deny/hide their sins/transgressions will not prosper. II. Those who confess and forsake their sins will obtain mercy.

A. James 5:16, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (KJV)

III. We may attempt to avoid being convicted of, confessing, and forsaking our sins by:

A. blaming others for our sins.



B. failing to take responsibility for our sins. C. calling wrong right and right wrong.

IV. Our integrity is diminished when we:

A. Try to excuse ourselves for evil doing. B. Blame circumstances or others for our sins. C. Fail to take full responsibility for our wrongs. D. Psalm 32:1-5, Blessed is he whose transgressions are for-given, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "—and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah (NIV)

V. “Some say they are sorry and have repented, but then go on from day to day just as they always went.” Proverbs 28:14, Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. (NIV) I. The man who fears the Lord is blessed, but the stubborn, hard hearted person falls into trouble.

A. Those who fear the Lord fear sin and avoid it with all their strength.



1. 1 Corinthians 10:12, Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (KJV)

2. “Happy is the man who lives in fear of sins; reckless men come to grief.” (Moffatt via Coffman)

3. Philippians 2:12, Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (KJV)

4. Proverbs 14:16, A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. (NIV)

B. Calamity awaits the hard hearted person who does not fear God and despise sin.

1. Proverbs 29:1, A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. (NIV) 2. Exodus 8:15, But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said. (NIV)

3. Psalm 95:7b-9, Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did. (NIV)

Proverbs 28:15, Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people. (NIV) I. A wicked man ruling over a poor, helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.



A. Evil rulers are compared to ravenous lions by the prophets.

1. Jeremiah 4:7, A lion has come out of his lair; a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his place to lay waste your land. Your towns will lie in ruins without inhabitant. (NIV) 2. Ezekiel 19:6, He prowled among the lions, for he was now a strong lion. He learned to tear the prey and he devoured men. (NIV)

B. Ancient Israel and countries in recent memory have had evil rulers who have brought suffering to the people. (See Coffman) C. The helplessness of poor people makes the oppression of the wicked rulers totally despicable!

Proverbs 28:16, A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment, but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life. (NIV) I. A tyrannical, oppressive, greedy, covetous ruler lacks judgment.

A. Lack of understanding makes a prince tyrannical. (Pulpit Commentary)

1. Jeremiah 22:13-19, "Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his countrymen work for nothing, not paying them for their labor. He says, 'I will build myself a great palace with spacious upper rooms.' So he makes large windows in it, panels it with cedar and decorates it in red. "Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that



not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD. "But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion." Therefore this is what the LORD says about Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: "They will not mourn for him: 'Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!' They will not mourn for him: 'Alas, my master! Alas, his splendor!' He will have the burial of a donkey—dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem." (NIV)

2. Colossians 3:5, Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (KJV)

II. The person who hates covetousness, ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life.

A. Proverbs 15:27, A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live. (NIV) B. The lawful acquisition and possession of wealth are not sinful.

1. Covetousness and what accompanies it are sinful.

Proverbs 28:17, A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death; let no one support him. (NIV) I. A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive until he dies.

A. Genesis 4:14, Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." (NIV)



II. No one is to help, lend support or encouragement to the murderer.

A. Those who encourage the murderer may themselves be charged with being an accessory. B. “It is a sin to aid murderers and other criminals who are fleeing to avoid punishment for their crimes.” (See Coffman)

Proverbs 28:18, He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall. (NIV) I. The blameless, upright are kept safe, will be saved.

A. Psalm 15:1-5, LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. (NIV)

II. The perverse will suddenly fall.

A. LXX reads, “He that walketh in crooked ways will be entangled.”

Proverbs 28:19, He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. (NIV) Proverbs 12:11, He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. (NIV) I. He who works his land will have abundant food.



A. He who chases fantasies (endless dreams and schemes) will have his fill of poverty, lacks judgment.

1. “The stupid spend his time chasing rainbows.” (Coffman)

Proverbs 28:20, A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. (NIV) I. A faithful man will be richly blessed.

A. The faithful man is one on whom one can depend, honest and upright. (Pulpit Commentary)

1. Faithful people are scarce, hard to find.

a. Proverbs 20:6, Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? (NIV)

B. Industry, contentment, kindness and a genuine concern for the welfare of others produce positive results. (Coffman)

II. One eager to get rich will not go unpunished, shall not be innocent.

A. Proverbs 28:22, A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him. (NIV) B. Proverbs 13:11, Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. (NIV) C. Proverbs 20:21, An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end. (NIV)



D. Proverbs 21:5, The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. (NIV)

E. 1 Timothy 6:6-10, But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (KJV)

F. 2 Timothy 3:2, For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. (KJV)

Proverbs 28:21, To show partiality is not good— yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. (NIV) I. It is not good to show partiality.

A. Proverbs 24:23, These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good: (NIV) B. This relates to the administration of justice in particular. (See Coffman)

II. It doesn’t take much to get a man to do wrong, show partiality, favoritism.

A. A piece of bread is enough to sway judgment in some cases.

Proverbs 28:22, A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him. (NIV)



I. A stingy, greedy man is eager to get rich and does not follow ethical principles in his business dealings.

A. Sometimes this costs him everything, even his freedom, things he did not anticipate.

II. A stingy man is unaware that poverty awaits him.

A. A stingy man is really blind to his own best interests, where his actions are taking him.

1. Proverbs 20:21, An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end. (NIV)

2. Proverbs 23:4, 5, Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. (NIV)

3. Proverbs 11:25, A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (NIV)

B. Proverbs (uninspired) via Pulpit Commentary:

1. Spanish: “Who would be rich in a year gets hanged in half a year.” 2. Italian: “The river does not become swollen with clear water.”

Proverbs 28:23, He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue. (NIV)



I. He who speaks honestly and frankly (rebukes a man) will in the end gain more favor than the flatterer.

A. Proverbs 27:6, Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (NIV) B. Proverbs 29:5, Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet. (NIV) C. James 5:19, Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; (KJV) D. “To rebuke one who deserves it is a courageous thing to do, and only one’s true friend will do it.” (Coffman)

Proverbs 28:24, He who robs his father or mother and says, "It's not wrong"—he is partner to him who destroys. (NIV) I. He who robs his parents while claiming he is doing them no wrong is a partner to him who destroys.

A. Proverbs 19:26, He who robs his father and drives out his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. (NIV)

B. Mark 7:9-13, And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. (KJV)



C. Proverbs 18:9, One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. (NIV) D. Leviticus 5:1, " 'If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible. (NIV) E. Judges 17:1-13, Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have that silver with me; I took it." Then his mother said, "The LORD bless you, my son!" When he returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, "I solemnly consecrate my silver to the LORD for my son to make a carved image and a cast idol. I will give it back to you." So he returned the silver to his mother, and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into the image and the idol. And they were put in Micah's house. Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some idols and installed one of his sons as his priest. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who had been living within the clan of Judah, left that town in search of some other place to stay. On his way he came to Micah's house in the hill country of Ephraim. Micah asked him, "Where are you from?" "I'm a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah," he said, "and I'm looking for a place to stay." Then Micah said to him, "Live with me and be my father and priest, and I'll give you ten shekels of silver a year, your clothes and your food." So the Levite agreed to live with him, and the young man was to him like one of his sons. Then Micah installed the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house. And Micah said, "Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest." (NIV)



F. Wrong is wrong! Deluding ourselves into thinking that wrongs we may do to our parents (or others) is really alright doesn’t change a thing!

Proverbs 28:25, A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. (NIV) I. A greedy man stirs up dissension/strife.

A. Proverbs 15:18, A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. (NIV) B. Proverbs 29:22, An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. (NIV) C. Proverbs 23:2, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. (NIV) D. Isaiah 5:14, Therefore the grave enlarges its appetite and opens its mouth without limit; into it will descend their nobles and masses with all their brawlers and revelers. (NIV) E. Habakkuk 2:5, indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples. (NIV)

F. James 4:1-3, From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (KJV)



II. He who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

A. Proverbs 11:25, A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (NIV) B. Proverbs 16:20, Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. (NIV) C. Proverbs 29:25, Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. (NIV)

D. Coffman wrote of the view of many ancient wise men as being, “Be good, get rich; be bad and you’ll be poor.”

Proverbs 28:26, He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. I. He who trusts in himself is a fool.

A. Genesis 6:5, The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. (NIV) B. Genesis 8:21, The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. (NIV) C. Proverbs 14:16, A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. (NIV) D. 1 Corinthians 10:12, Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (KJV)



E. Jeremiah 9:23, 24, This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. (NIV)

II. He who walks in wisdom is kept safe, saved.

A. “Walking wisely” means “following the sacred instructions in the Bible.” (Coffman)

Proverbs 28:27, He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. (NIV) I. He who gives to the poor will lack nothing.

A. Proverbs 11:24, One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (NIV) B. Proverbs 19:17, He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. (NIV) C. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all



bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. (KJV)

II. He who closes his eyes to the needs of the poor will receive many curses.

A. Proverbs 11:26, People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. (NIV) B. Curses come from the suffering poor and are directed to the affluent who could have helped the needy, but didn’t.

Proverbs 28:28, When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive. (NIV) I. When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.

A. Proverbs 28:12, When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding. (NIV)

II. When the wicked perish, the righteous thrive, increase.

A. Proverbs 11:10, When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. (NIV) B. Proverbs 29:2, 16, When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall. (NIV) C. “The overthrow of the ungodly adds to the prosperity of the righteous, removes an opposing element, and promotes their advancement in influence and numbers.” (Pulpit Commentary)



Conclusion: I. Wisdom produces,…

A. righteousness. B. boldness. C. lasting political stability. D. opposition to evil. E. understanding of justice. F. integrity. G. obedience to the law. H. parental honor. I. kindness to the poor. J. a goodly inheritance. K. answers to prayer. L. skill in “seeing through” hyprocrisy. M. triumph/glory and honor. N. mercy upon confessing and forsaking of sin.

II. Lack of wisdom produces:



A. wickedness, fear, a guilty conscience. B. political disorder. C. oppression of the poor. D. association with evil people. E. opposition of good people. F. failure to understand justice. G. unethical business practices. H. sinful behavior. I. parental shame. J. loss of unjust, ill-gotten gain. K. unacceptable prayer. L. destruction by its own devices. M. a faulty self-concept. N. isolation and loneliness even in tiems of victory. O. lack of prosperity. P. unsuccessful attempts to conceal transgressions.



Questions

Proverbs 28:1-28

1. What will those who live lives of integrity do? __________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. These proverbs deal with the ____________________________ and the ______________________, the ___________________________ and the ______________________, the ________________________ and the righteous. 3. Give examples, Biblical and secular, that show, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. When a ______________________ is _______________________, its ______________________________ is _____________________. When a ______________________ live in _______________________ with the __________________________ of ______________________, ____________________________ is ___________________________. 5. A ______________________ who oppresses the _______________ is like a ___________________ the leaves no ____________________ in the _________________________.



6. Contrast those who forsake the law of the LORD with those who keep the law of the LORD. ____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Who does and does not understand justice? ____________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. Why is it better to be poor and a person of integrity than to be rich and a person of questionable character? __________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. ____________________ __________________ ________________ the _______________________, but __________________________ who company with __________________, _______________________, and _____________________ __________________________ bring __________________________ to their ________________________. 10. Those _____________________________ ____________________ __________________________ who amass ____________________ by ____________________ or ____________________ _______________ will live to see their _______________________ __________________ ____________________________ ________________________ to the _________________________.



11. Do we have to live right to have our prayers answered? Explain your answer. _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12. Those who cause the ___________________ to go _____________ will themselves _____________________ the _____________________ they have _____________________ to fall upon the _______________. 13. The ____________________ is ________________________ in his __________________-___________________, but an ______________ _______________________ ______________________ sees through the ______________________. 14. When ______________________ _______________________, there is ______________________ _______________________ to all who are ______________________. ____________________________ ________________________ and ______________________________. 15. What happens to the person who conceals his transgressions? What happens to the person who confesses his sins? _____________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16. How do people attempt to hide their sins? _____________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17. Who will be blessed? Define fear as used in verse 14. Who falls into trouble? _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 18. To what is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people likened? Why is this a correct comparison? ______________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19. What is the relationship between a tyrannical ruler and the person who hates ill-gotten gain? In other words, why are both of these mentioned in the same verse? __________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20. A man _____________________ by the _____________________ of _______________________ will be a ______________________ until he ________________________. No one is to ________________, _____________________________ ___________________________ or ____________________________ to the ____________________.



21. The ________________________ will be _____________________ _________________________. The ___________________________ will _____________________________ _________________________ 22. Who will have plenty of food? Who will be poor? ______________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 23. Who will be richly blessed? What will happen to those who are eager to be rich? ____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24. How serious is judicial partiality? What does it take to bribe some officials? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 25. Why does poverty await a stingy man? _______________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



26. Which is better, a frank, honest rebuke or a flattering tongue? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 27. How can a person justify robbing his parents? __________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 28. A greedy man ______________________ _____________________ ________________________, but he who ________________________ in the ___________________________ will _____________________. He who _______________________ in __________________________ is a _____________________, but he who _______________________ in _____________________ is ________________________________. 29. He who gives to the ______________________ will ____________ _____________________________ ____________________________, but he who ______________________ his _______________________ to them receives many _______________________________. 30. When the ______________________ ______________________ to ______________________, _________________________ go into _________________________; but when the _____________________ _______________________, the _______________________________ ___________________________.


Proverbs 28, Live with Integrity - Bible Study...

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