PROVERBS LESSON 44


     We will begin this lesson in Proverbs 28:1 "The wicked flee when
no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."

     A guilty conscience is a terrible thing. We can see in this that
the wicked flee because they are guilty of sin and they know it, Their
fear comes from being found out and punished for the things they have
done. They are constantly looking over their shoulder, because they
know punishment is coming. They just do not know when, or from where.
Their worst fear is fear of death and hell. The righteous are such a
drastic opposite. They have no fear of things of this earth because
they are assured that greater is He that is within them than he that
is in the world. God is on their side, and who can be against them.
They have on fear of death, because they are promised eternal life.
Death of the body on the earth to them is like stepping through a door
into all of eternity.

     Proverbs 28:2 "For the transgression of a land many [are] the
princes thereof: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the
state [thereof] shall be prolonged."

     This is just saying that when evil prevails in a land, the rule
will change real often. Good kings, such as David, reigned for many
years. In fact, Saul, David, and Solomon each reigned 40 years. A king
who was brutal to the people was quickly removed.

     Proverbs 28:3 "A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like] a
sweeping rain which leaveth no food."

     You would think the poor would be sympathetic to someone in the
same predicament. Perhaps the selfishness of this poor has brought on
his poverty. The Lord Jesus taught give and it shall be given unto
you. Selfishness and greed bring poverty. This "sweeping rain" spoken
of here, could be an unwanted heavy rain just as the seed is in the
grain and washes away the chance for it to grow. At an rate, it does
away with the prospect of food. Be sure the Lord will find you out. A
selfish person, whether rich or poor, will not be blessed of God.

     Proverbs 28:4 "They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but
such as keep the law contend with them."

     In Romans 1:32 we read, "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." We see not only a
sinner, but a lover of sin, as well. There are only 2 sides you can be
on. One side loves God and keeps His commandments. The other side
loves the world and the wickedness it brings. The spirit (good) and
the flesh (evil) are continually at war, and will be until Jesus
returns.

     Proverbs 28:5 "Evil men understand not judgment: but they that
seek the LORD understand all [things]."
     Evil men (as we said in the verse above) have chosen to follow
Satan instead of God. Seeing, they will not see; and hearing, they
will not hear; because God has closed off their understanding. Those
who seek the Lord will find Him. The Holy Spirit of God reveals the
secrets of God to those who seek God. The Holy Spirit is our teacher
and our guide. Understanding is for those who seek God.

     Proverbs 28:6 "Better [is] the poor that walketh in his
uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be]
rich."

     The poor man here is speaking of being poor in things of this
world, but rich toward God. The things of this world are temporary.
There is no lasting value connected with earthly wealth. We are
cautioned to be rich in good works, storing up treasures in heaven
where rust doth not decay the riches. Those who are rich in this
world, that have accumulated by their evil dealings, have no rewards
stored in heaven. If they did, someone else would have to use it
because their home will be in hell.

     Proverbs 28:7 "Whoso keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that
is a companion of riotous [men] shameth his father."

     We see that a father of the wise is proud of his son and proud of
the way he has raised him, as well. the keeper of God's law and man's
law are usually one and the same. They respect authority. An evil
man's parents are ashamed. Ashamed that their son has failed, and
ashamed that they did not do a better job raising him. The pride of
parents is all gone when the son goes bad.

     Proverbs 28:8 "He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his
substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor."

     Usury was interest on loans exacting too much interest. In fact,
Israelites were not to charge each other interest at all. Usury in our
day would be to charge 30% interest when interest rates are really
10%. Unfair interest is always usury. It is usually charged to the
people who can least afford it. They must pay whatever someone asks,
because their credit is no good. Unjust gain is any worth a man gets
unfairly. Sometimes it is legal but not moral. Many times it is
against the law, as well. God will not bless those who take
advantage of others. In the long run, they will lose everything. God
blesses those who help others. Give and it shall be given unto you.

     Proverbs 28:9 "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer [shall be] abomination."

     God wants our obedience to His law. God's law is not grievous. It
is actually to help us. God blesses those who keep His law. In Isaiah
1 :15, we see that God doesn't want to hear our prayers unless you are
willing to stop sinning. Isaiah 1:15 "And when ye spread forth your
hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers,
I will not hear: your hands are full of blood." Verse 16 tells us what
to do for Him to listen. Isaiah 1:16  "Wash you, make you clean; put
away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;"

     Proverbs 28:10 "Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an
evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright
shall have good [things] in possession."

     In verse 10, we see those who are blinded to Biblical truth
leading others who are blind in the same way and both falling into the
pit. Those who are righteous (in right standing) should be doing the
leading and should not be led astray. So many false teachers are
getting into the churches today and are teaching things that people
want to hear, not the truth. Many are led away not recognizing the
lust of their own flesh causes them to sin. The good things the
upright have are peace. joy, happiness, holiness, and many other
spiritual gifts. They can rest at night having no fear of tomorrow.
They have the best wealth there is: wisdom from God, a clear
conscience, the grace of God, and the greatest possession of all-
eternal life.

     Proverbs 28:11 "The rich man [is] wise in his own conceit; but
the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out."

     We see many times the rich are self-centered. They have been told
so many times how great they are, that they have come to believe it
themselves. The rich man has a hard time coming to God, because he
feels self-sufficient. To come to the Lord, we must humble ourselves,
and that is very difficult for a conceited man to do. It is easy for
him to fall into the "New Age" movement which teaches man is his own
god. He thinks too highly of himself and this is very dangerous.
Wisdom and godliness cannot be purchased with money or fame. The poor
man many times can see right through the front the rich man puts up
and can see that he is really wretched and poor in the spirit.

     Proverbs 28:12 "When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is] great
glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden."

     This seems to be a victorious rejoicing. Everyone is thrilled
when the righteous does well; but when the wicked take rule, every one
feels like running and hiding because of the evil intents. This evil
man who takes power would just want more power and wealth. No one
would be safe. His rule would be one of terror.













                         Proverbs 44 Questions


1.  Why do the wicked flee when no one pursues?
2.  The righteous are bold as a ____________.
3.  What is meant by transgression of the land?
4.  Who helps the land to last by rule?
5.  A poor man who oppresses the poor is like what?
6.  A heavy rain at seed time does what?
7.  They that forsake the law praise whom?
8.  What is worse than being a sinner?
9.  What 2 things are in constant warfare?
10. Who understand all things?
11. Who have evil men chosen to follow?
12. Who reveals secrets of God to believers?
13. Who is better than the rich with perverse ways?
14. In verse 7, who is a wise son?
15. He that is companion of riotous men shameth whom?
16. What are 2 evil ways to gather money?
17. Who is their wealth stored for?
18. What is usury?
19. Who is always the one who has to pay usury?
20. Whose prayer shall be an abomination?
21. God's law is not grievous; it is actually for what?
22. In Isaiah 1:16, what does God tell us to do so He will hear our
    prayers?
23. What happens to those who cause the righteous to go astray?
24. Who should be leading?
25. Name some of the things the upright have.
26. The rich man is wise in his own _________.
27. Why does a rich man have trouble coming to God?
28. What happens when a good person rejoices?
29. What happens when an evil ruler takes over?
30. What one word describes the rule of the evil?