Proverbs 28:16-20
Prov 28:16 (KJB)
The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
 
Going back to Rehoboam, he stated that his father used whips but he was going to use scorpions which was a special kind of whip to inflict much more pain. So he lacked understanding of his people and became a great oppressor. He would not listen to those who had years of wisdom but instead listened to his friends who had no years of experience. If any ruler lacks any type of understanding, if he does not fill that breach, then he will wind up oppressing the people as a standard procedure. On the other hand, the leader or any person that hates the idea of coveting something, will lengthen his days because instead of oppressing the people and taking their wealth, he has the wisdom to know that if he has a peaceful reign, then his land will prosper and his reign will be lengthened because the people will trust him.
 
Prov 28:17 (KJB)
A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
 
(Exo 20:13 KJV) Thou shalt not kill. If a person kills another person, their punishment is going to be physical death and then they will stand in the judgment and be sentenced to eternal hell. When this person is accused, tried, and found guilty, then no one is to stand in the way and try to stop the sentence from being carried out. In fact, if he has not been arrested yet and the authorities are pursuing him, no one is even supposed to warn him so he is caught. Remember Achan in Joshua 7. Israel had suffered loss at AI because of Acahan’s sin and the same principle would apply. If the murderer is allowed to go free, then there is blood on the land and the Lord will have to intervene.
 
Prov 28:18 (KJB)
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
 
Uprightly - Blamelessly
Perverse - Distort
 
This verse is not speaking about a person earning their salvation by means of living a blameless life. The only ones who can walk uprightly in this world are those who are already saved. (Mat 10:22 KJV) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. As the Lord states that those that endure to the end shall be saved. This verse is not speaking about enduring as prerequisite for salvation but is speaking about endurance as a tenet of salvation. Only those who are truly saved will continue in the Lord’s work and walk until they are taken home or the last day comes. Those who are the unsaved will come to swift end and maybe that end will come when they least expect it. In Revelation 18, the merchants of the earth are crying because their world of commerce has come to an end. It is the same with anyone who lives a perverse life, in that it can come crashing down in a second of time.
 
Prov 28:19 (KJB)
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
 
Tilleth - Cultivates
Followeth after - One who pursues
 
The wise person sees his field before him and cultivates it and plants a crop which yield a good harvest. He works with what he has and there will be increase, even if there is a small amount of increase, nevertheless, there will be growth. He will have enough food for himself, or his family and even have some left over so he could take it to market. He makes use of what he has. The one who follows after vain persons will always come to poverty because they are always chasing dreams which never come to pass. They may invest in schemes which promise easy rewards but nothing comes of it and the investment is lost. This person does not believe in settling down and working for a living, instead they are always chasing the wind in hopes they will find riches in another way than working. This is why they are in poverty because they are spending so much getting rich that they become broke. Dreams are like shadows, as the shadow disappears when the sun goes down, the dream disappears when a person wakes up. The problem is that many wake up to late when all their money is gone and then they live in poverty.
 
Prov 28:20 (KJB)
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
 
Faithful - Reliable
 
A faithful man is one who is free from guilt and enjoys many blessings because of their faithfulness to God and others. Those blessings may or may not include wealth but a faithful man that is blessed of the Lord will lack nothing and his faithfulness will also produce many true friends which are more valuable in tough times than wealth. The second half of this verse speaks about a person who wants to make quick riches. Normally, those who make quick riches are involved in less than legal schemes to make that money. This verse states that they will not be innocent, so this verse is pointing to evil works as the method this person is using. Throughout the book of Proverbs much has been said concerning hastiness for any purpose, including making wealth. The Bible speaks much about waiting and enduring and having patience. Hurriedness is antithetical to the Bible’s teaching.

Back