Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28: More Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.).

The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crop. Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blesses is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good - yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread. Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

God tells us that if we are righteous we can be as bold as lions. Our boldness comes from our righteousness. God tells us that if we seek the Lord we will understand what is right and our walk will be blameless. Again we see that God cares more about our walk with Him than the wealth we have. We are to be kind to the poor and if we gain wealth by taking from the poor we will only lose it. Money does not buy wisdom or happiness, but often times money leads to a false sense of belief that it does. God wants us to confess our sins and repent that we would find mercy. We are to always tremble before God. 

Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25: More Proverbs of Solomon.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; remove wicked officials from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness. Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court. If you take your neighbors to court, do not betray another's confidence. Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him. Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house - too much of you, and they will hate you. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

God wants us to remove wicked people from our lives and in doing so we will be established through righteousness. The presence of a single wicked person can dethrone a king. God does not want us to exalt ourselves, but instead to be humble and allow others to invite us to a place of honor. Pride comes before the fall and God is protecting us from humiliation in front of noble men. God does not want us to be hasty to take what we have seen to court or to take our neighbors to court lest we betray the confidence of another. It would be a mistake to assume we know what we have seen without first investigating it because we could be wrong. God does not want us to wear out our welcome with our neighbors. Our presence should be a treat and not a punishment. God's will is that we would feed our enemy and provide him with water if he is hungry or thirsty. Remember God has said to leave revenge to Him and treating our enemies kindly is the same as heaping burning coals on their head.