Proverbs 28

Read Proverbs 28:1 – 12. These twelve proverbs call attention to the responsibility God presents to us of caring for the poor. Verse Three denounces anyone who oppresses them. Verses Four through Six call “evil” those who deny justice by forsaking the law, failing to understand justice, or living perversely. Verse Eight promises that those who charge high interest will have their own wealth taken from them. Each verse in this section contrasts those who take advantage of others, by wealth or power, with those who live righteously. We often dismiss the idea that proverbs such as these apply to us individually, because we don’t think of ourselves as wealthy, powerful, or lacking in justice. Yet, we live in a culture where the poorest have a higher standard of living that the majority of those living in other parts of world. If these proverbs aren’t directed at us, who are their intended recipients? Think about those with whom you interact regularly who are probably less-well-off than you, perhaps waiters, day laborers, part-time retail workers, janitors, etc. Do you withhold tips, bargain down a hourly rate to a level that can’t sustain a family, act rudely if you aren’t treated with “the-customer-is-always-right” deference, or demand better work that you yourself would give to the same task? Does your demand demonstrate justice? Are you in danger of being an “oppressor” yourself?

Read Proverbs 28:13 – 28. This passage deals with the fates of the wicked and the righteous. Which camp do you routinely identify yourself with? Verse Thirteen says, “He who conceals his sin does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” How do you deal with your sin daily? Do you conceal it? Or, do you both confess it and renounce it, turning away wholeheartedly? Spend some time asking God to reveal any sins which you have concealed. Confess them, agreeing with God that they are sins, not just mistakes or oversights, but evil in the sight of God. Ask Him to help you renounce, not just making a quick promise to avoid them, but deliberately staying as far from tempting situations as possible.

Choose one proverb from this chapter, which fits your life today. Memorize it. Read it aloud several times, emphasizing a different word each time. Close your eyes and recite it. Repeat this process several times until you are confident you know it. Pray and ask God to bring it to mind several times today. Recite it mentally each time it occurs to you. At the end of the day, take a moment to consider how it has applied to your life.