Poetry – Proverbs 28
From what we have read previously as well as the comments made, we know that sometimes, the Book of Proverbs does not tell us what we should or should not do in a straightforward manner; preferring to state certain facts that we have to interpret on our own. This makes us contemplate what we are reading and work to search out what exactly is the will of God in these verses.
For this reason, certain verses can be understood in several ways but as long as this understanding does not go against the teachings in the other parts of the Bible and is beneficial for our spiritual nurture, we should consider them.
Let us read today’s passage and see what are some of the possible teachings we can gain from it besides the obvious.
Bible Passage: Proverbs 28
There are three types of people mentioned in the chapter that I feel we must seek advice for because sometime or other in our lives, we find ourselves in their shoes.
The Rich
Maybe the term ‘rich’ might carry some preconceived notions making us think we are not one of these people but if we were to use ‘richer’, we might understand why we are in this position.
While we may not be rich, we should always remember that we are always richer in some ways – and I don’t mean in terms of wealth. It may be in other areas like talents, knowledge of the Word, faith or even simple things like optimism or confidence. We realise that there will always be someone who is worse off than us in some area.
Proverbs reminds us that as we become better, stronger, wiser or ‘richer’, we must ensure that we continue in uprightness and integrity.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. (Prov 28:6)
Also, we must also bear in mind that these riches are for us to help others.
He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses. (Prov 28:27)
The Poor
However, there are also certain times when, far from feeling rich, we feel extremely poor. Again, this is not in terms of physical goods but mental, emotional and spiritual conditions. We may have been hurt or let down by someone, be feeling burdened or extremely weak spiritually.
At the times when we are one of the ‘poor’, what advice does the Book of Proverbs have for us?
A poor man who oppresses the poor
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. (Prov 28:3)
Basically, we are told to remember that we are not the only with problems and that despite being down, we have to look out for others. I remember something a preacher once said during the most recent youth theological
“I don’t understand why so many people fall into depression nowadays. Is it because they are too concerned with themselves? If people would just look beyond themselves and care for the needs of other people, maybe they wouldn’t fall into depression so easily.”
These words really struck me because I’m guilty of being rather self-centred and was feeling rather sorry for myself over certain matters at that time. It was as if God was reminding me not to be so self-involved and I felt so ashamed I wept.
Like rain, our ‘poverty’ can be quite unpleasant but it is necessary for growth. Therefore, we must never be like the poor mentioned in verse three, people who have the mentality of ‘I’m suffering so the whole world has to suffer along with me’. Instead, let us, even in our times of sadness and weakness, look out for the needs of others for in doing so, we help others as well as ourselves.
The Prince
The prince (or the ruler) is also another character mentioned in the chapter but what has the teachings meant for a ruler got to do with us?
Do we not know that we are princes in our own right? There will always be people influenced by us, be it our children, our spouses, our students or our peers. To them, our actions and words carry as much weight as that of a prince’s so we have to be extremely cautious.
Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over poor people. (Prov 28:15)
Let us not harm these people by guiding and leading them the wrong way.
Of course, having said that, the one kingdom that everyone has to govern properly is that of his own heart. A wicked ruler brings about damage and destruction to his own heart but by always being God-focused, one can ensure peace. This is what the Book of Proverbs tell us for
Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. (Prov 28:14)
3 Comments
biblereadingcompanion
Thanks for the encouraging words of reminder – especially the part about feeling sorry for ourselves.
Recently, because of certain things that happened, I indulged myself in a sea of self pity and sorrow. I knew that this was not right, but I am not sure if you ever had the experience – you kind of ‘enjoy’ the feeling of sorrow and do not want to get out of it.
Most of us deal with self-pity from time to time. And when I look at the Bible, I see two examples of self pity that led to sin…
* When God did not look on Cain’s offering with favour, Cain started to feel very sorry for himself and gave in to anger (Genesis 4:4-7).
* Esau, full of self-pity, sold his birthright when hungry. He did what many of us do: He greatly exaggerated his problems and sought a quick and easy solution without considering the consequences (Genesis 25:29-32).
Looking back – I was setting up myself to feel hurt.
We usually blame others for our hurt feelings. Yet we often set ourselves up to experience hurt, rejection or burnout. This happens at work, school, home, church. or wherever we are.
But Jesus taught us a different way to look at things–to first focus on ourselves and how we contributed to a problem:
Take the plank out of your own eye so you can remove the speck from your brother’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5).
In my reflection during my period of self sorrow, I also come to realize that it can be hard to clearly see the changes that I should make.
It is very easy to focus on our own hurts so much that we almost become “unteachable”. We focus so much on the “proof” of our own point of view and are not wiling to look at things from a new perspective. Using myself as an example…
* I was exhausted from doing much, much more than what God would want me to do. I was unwilling to see that I had developed a “matyr’s complex” – thinking how great I was in my ‘sacrifice’ of service.
* I had put so much energy and effort into a situation and was not willing to look at the possibility that I had approached it incorrectly.
* I just focused on the faults of others and was blind to my own.
* I shifted the blame to everyone else but did not see that the blame actually rested in me.
* I had a compulsive need to do things that cause me further distress – even though I knew I should stop doing them.
However, we should also not go overboard and blame ourselves for everything.
So the advice from Proverbs 28:3 is a sound one – and like what aquillofGod said, “Instead, let us, even in our times of sadness and weakness, look out for the needs of others for in doing so, we help others as well as ourselves.”.
There is much we have to learn. It’s time we get off our seat of self sorrow! There are others who are in worse off circumstance compared to us. Many have yet to even hear about the truth. Don’t you think you are much more blessed?
InHisTime
Wasn’t there for the youth theolo but wow, am edified by what the preacher said too.
Sometimes we really ought to ask ourselves if we are wallowing in our self pity, expecting people to pull us out of our pits of depression.
This may sound cliche… there are trillions of people out there who are worse than us, suffering the aftermath of earthquakes and floods, no food no water no home no family…i can go on forever… these people don’t even have God to turn to.
Perhaps we are too used to instant gratification.
Like aquillofGod mentioned, it is necessary for our growth. Without trials and tribulations, how will we think to depend on God?
Pr Chin AQ’s sabbath service talks about how we should be 忧愁 over spiritual things and not physical stuff.
Easier said than done… but we could pray to God to help and guide us that way.
We must really understand that the Lord will provide.
PS
i like the picture. Is “Poor” putting his “2 mites” into the offering box with much reverence that he even bends down to make his offering?
Or is “Poor” picking up aluminum cans from the rubbish bin?
i grew up in a poor family. In those “poor” days, i got to know Lord Jesus.
Now, thank God, i m working, i m “richer”.
i m much happier nowadays, not bec i m “richer”, but bec i have found Lord Jesus. Previously i read about Him and heard of Him. Now i found Him. Truly.
My great aspiration is to be Rhoda, to answer door in the house of God, all the days of my life.
My “poor” days aren’t all poor after all.