Old Testament Commentary - Proverbs 28

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 28 The wicked flee where no man pursueth—Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved—A faithful man shall abound with blessings.
1 THE wicked ^aflee when no man pursueth: but the ^brighteous are bold as a lion. 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. 3 A poor man that ^aoppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.		1^a Lev. 26:17; Amos 9:1 ^b 2 Ne. 9:40 3^a TG Oppression
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. 5 Evil men ^aunderstand not judgment^a: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. 6 Better is the poor that walketh in his ^auprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.	5^a Evil men understand not judgment Read the right way this statement means that 'Evil men do not understand judgment'. That is they do not grasp the concept of the law and the penalty for breaking the law. Nor do they rightly understand the principle of repentance and being reconciled unto God and the absolute need thereof in order to receive the blessings of heaven. The cause of this is that they have been blinded by the cunning craftiness of the Devil and his disceptions and lies. Often they pretend either to the concept that there is no God or on the other hand they adhere to the falsehood that Jesus Christ suffered for sin so all men will be saved without any effort on their part whatsoever, which includes to them any real need for repentance and conformity to the commandments and law of God. In this they are deceived and do loose their reward, for certain repentance is required and compliance to the law of living the commandments and laws of God are absolute as well. Men cannot be saved in their wickedness. And until they do repent they are 'dammed', that is stop as to any type of further progression, including resurrection and salvation.	5^a D&C 88:67 6^a Prov. 10:9; Prov. 19:1
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of ^ariotous men ^bshameth his father. 8 He that by ^ausury and unjust gain ^bincreaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. 9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the ^alaw, even his ^bprayer shall be abomination.		7^a OR gluttonous; Luke 15:13 (12-13); TG Rioting and Reveling ^b TG Shame 8^a TG Usury ^b Alma 11:20 9^a Prov. 29:18; D&C 88:35 (34-35) ^b Ps. 109:7; Moro. 7:6-7
10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall ^afall himself into his own ^bpit: but the upright shall have good ^cthings in possession. 11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the ^apoor that hath understanding searcheth him out. 12 When ^arighteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.		10^a TG Justice ^b Prov. 26:27; 1 Ne. 22:14 ^c Gen. 24:1; Matt. 6:33 11^a Alma 32:12-13; D&C 104:16 12^a Prov. 11:10
13 He that ^acovereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso ^bconfesseth and ^cforsaketh them shall have mercy. 14 Happy is the man that ^afeareth alway: but he that ^bhardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. 15 As a ^aroaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.		13^a Job 31:33; Luke 12:2 (1-3) 1 John 1:10; D&C 1:3 D&C 121:37 (36-38) ^b TG Confession ^c TG Repentance 14^a TG Reverence ^b TG Hardheartedness 15^a Ezek. 22:25
16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth ^acovetousness shall prolong his days. 17 A man that doeth violence to the ^ablood of any person shall ^bflee to the pit; let no man stay him. 18 Whoso ^awalketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.		16^a TG Covetousness 17^a Alma 1:13-14 ^b OR flee to the sepulchre (grave) IE flee to death 18^a TG Walking with God
19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. 20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh ^ahaste to be ^brich shall not be innocent. 21 To have ^arespect of persons is not good^a: for for a ^bpiece of ^cbread that man will transgress.	21^a To have respect of persons is not good Justice ought to be blind as to individual person's status and position. The law ought to applied equally to every person and no special favor or treatments ought to be make for any particular person of any 'elite' and 'select status' just for being who they are in society's hieracrhy. This is what is to have respect of persons is, the having of special treatment not in accord with the law to the advantage of certain people over other people. All are to be treated the same way and held to the same standards of justice equaly.	20^a TG Haste ^b TG Treasure 21^a Prov. 24:23; James 2:9 ^b Ezek. 13:19 ^c TG Bread
22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. 23 He that ^arebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that ^bflattereth with the tongue. 24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.		23^a Prov. 27:5 ^b TG Flattery
25 He that is of a ^aproud heart stirreth up ^bstrife: but he that putteth his ^ctrust in the LORD shall be made ^dfat. 26 He that ^atrusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. 27 He that giveth unto the ^apoor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. 28 When the ^awicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.		25^a Prov. 13:10; 2 Ne. 28:12-13 ^b TG Strife ^c D&C 11:12; D&C 84:116 ^d IE prosperous 26^a TG Trust in the Arm of Flesh 27^a TG Almsgiving; TG Poor; TG Welfare 28^a D&C 98:9