THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for
the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for
COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.
PROVERBS
CHAPTER 28
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
The consciousness of sin in the soul causes fearfulness. The awareness of sinfulness is the conscience making one aware of judgment to come.
"For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:30-31)
But with those who have been redeemed there is peace, and a realization eternal security.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1John 4:18)
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.
There are many who determine to live without God and thus are harmful to humanity and society. However, the saved have a knowledge and understanding of preservation through the grace and mercy of God. They bring help and hope to humanity and society.
What an awful state of mind it is to think that there is nothing beyond the grave! How selfish it makes man! When man believes he shall not be accountable for his actions, he will do whatever he can "get away with" in the world.
Yet when man realizes accountability to God, he will seek to HELP humanity rather than act in total selfishness.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
Compassion should be in the heart of those who have experienced poverty. Most, who have experienced "poorness," will be merciful to the "poor."
When a person who has been poverty stricken "oppresseth the poor" there is a total lacking of compassion and mercy. It is uncharacteristic and harsh.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
Consider "the law" as the WORD OF GOD. Those who determine to live without God will praise men of evil deeds. But those who have determined to live FOR God will contend with law-breakers and sinful men.
See here how uncharacteristic it is for a saved person to stand by idly while sin is promoted in a nation or government!
5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Accountablility for personal wrong-doing is not understood by those who live without God in their lives. The man who has determined in his heart that there is no future after the grave, has no comprehension of "judgment."
Those, however, that live FOR God, realize there is a "final judgment day." They understand that actions NOW reflect the judgment received THEN.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Monetary status is irrevelent to integrity. Whether a man be rich or poor, he should live according to that which is RIGHT rather than to be "perverse in his ways."
A man who has no possessions at all can still have INTEGRITY. And he is better in the sight of God than a man who has many possessions and lives wickedly.
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Fathers desire to see their sons living rightly in the world. Our Heavenly Father desires to see His children living rightly in the world.
To live according to that which is right is pleasing to fathers, and to our Father.
A young man who "hangs out" with the wrong crowd, will bring shame to himself, his father, and to the Heavenly Father.
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Material wealth does not last. The man who spends his life gathering wealth will realize at the end that sooner or later it will be dispensed to the "poor." Ultimately, the only thing one can do with wealth is "give it away." It will be given to SOMEONE when we die!
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
What a REVIVAL sermon this is!!
It is totally out of character for a Christian to not read, study and be obedient to God's Word.
When a child is deliberately disobedient he receives correction. And when a child of God deliberately refuses to read and heed the Word of God, his PRAYERS ARE UNHEARD!!
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.
To not serve God is to serve sin.
"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." (John 8:34)
When a person deliberately causes another to sin, the deceiver is already in the TRAP of sin and will suffer the consequences.
Those who live for God will contend with sin - it will not be their master. They will sin because we are ALL sinners at times. But they will not LIVE in sin. They shall possess the "good things" of mercy, kindness, truth, love, joy, and peace. And at the final judgment they shall receive the possession of ALL good things - including MASTERY over sin!
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
The "rich man" is more likely to be content with himself and not show compassion upon others. Whatever he does not have in this world, he can get because of his purchasing power.
But the "poor man" realizes that TRUE riches are the eternal graces of God. It is the "poor man" who shows the rich man that there is MUCH MORE to life than our physical time on earth. The more worthy possessions cannot be obtained through purchasing power in this world.Compassion, kindness, gentility, hope, peace, etc. are not things to be PURCHASED, they are to be received HUMBLY at the foot of the cross.
12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
Those who love God and live for Him help others in the world. Those who do not love God and do not live for Him cause harm in the world.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
God sees EVERYTHING. Sin cannot be hidden from Him. God is all-wise and very merciful. He desires to have a good relationship with His people. But God will hold us accountable for our actions. When we sin, it is wise to CONFESS it to our Lord and FORSAKE that sin.
See also verse 9.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Reverence for God's omnipotence and omniscience will keep us humble. But "hardening" the heart against God causes conceit and pride which lead to TROUBLE.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. 16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
The wicked ruler cares not who is harmed as long as he "gets his way." He will oppress even the poor in order to promote himself.
The ruler which detests covetousness and selfishness will stay longer in his position. People will desire his leadership.
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
The "pit" here is the dungeon, or place of death. He that commits murder shall be killed himself. No man should "stay" or allow a murderer to go without the penalty of death.
Murder, by definition, is intentionally and willfully causing the death of another person. And, yes, our Lord does decree the "death penalty" for such an act. (See Leviticus 24:17 and Numbers 35:16).
To decree the death penalty does not negate the opportunity for genuine mercy. The one judged worthy of the death penalty should be given the opportunity to plea for mercy with Almighty God at the foot of the cross.
There is a real difficulty with this in the USA today because of the corruption of our judicial system. Some have been accused, tried and convicted who were not guilty.
There is also a difficulty in the USA today about the "death penalty" because some would rather try and rehabilitate than to believe God is right about the death penalty.
Let us not fail to realize that God is COMPASSIONATE. He can and will forgive even murder if the person genuinely comes to Him confessing the sin and pleading forgiveness through trust in Christ.
But let us not forget also that God is COMPASSIONATE toward SOCIETY! Allowing a murderer to go free causes irreparable harm. People realize then that they can truly "get away with murder!"
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Some have misunderstood this verse. The word for "at once" means SUDDENLY and not necessarily IMMEDIATELY.
Those who live believing and obedient to God will be saved. But those who live without God shall find that eternal condemnation shall come SUDDENLY!
19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
God has decreed that without WORK there is NO BREAD! ((See Genesis 3:19))
God has also said that the man who will not work (when physically able) is an intentional sinner and will go lacking ((See 1Thessalonians 4:11-12 and 2Thessalonians 3:10))
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
A "faithful man" will live according to rightness. A man who "maketh haste to be rich" will allow himself to be involved in shady business practices. His desire for more money will corrupt his sense of rightness.
21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
Prejudice is an awful thing. It causes a person to determine satisfaction by what he can or cannot receive from another. The prejudiced person does not determine the worth of another person based on what is right. He determines the worth of another person based on what he can "get out of it."
22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Again, may I say, material wealth does not last. Real poverty is to waste life by focusing upon wealth. Real poverty is to come to judgment before Almighty God, and realize LOSS!
23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
There is a time when a mild reproof will be wise. To "flatter" a person who is doing wrong is to encourage wrong-doing.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
Children may think that whatever parents have will eventually belong to them. And thus they may take what does not yet belong to them. Sometimes it is taken in outright theft. Other times it is taken deceitfully.
God says this person is like a "destroyer." That person corrupts his own inheritance. He destroys the ability to receive what parents are trying to provide for him.
25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
Pride is first an act of sin against God, and then an act of ill-will toward society. There are actually two statements here that are comparable wisdom.
To act with a "proud heart" is to assure oneself of "strife."
To act in humility toward God and others is to assure oneself of blessings - being made "fat."
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
To walk "wisely" is to live believing God and living FOR Him. The person who does less is foolish because he is exhibiting no trust in God at all.
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Compassion is given of God to all men. When men act in compassion, they are also recipients of the same from others.
But a man who "hideth his eyes" from being compassionate is a recipient of the ire of mankind.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Just because wicked men rise to power and unjustly persecute righteous people does not mean righteousness is beaten or defeated. Wise men will "hide themselves" and continue in righteous behaviour even when the wicked rule.
And when the wicked are removed from power, then righteousness begins to grow again.
True righteousness may be deterred, but it cannot be defeated.
PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.