Proverbs 28
It’s difficult to maintain a though in Proverbs since there is rarely consistency in them. They jump from money to the law to sins without really tying them together. Verse 28:9 is a good example verse 7 is about the law, 8 is money and then this:
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.
I think man puts too much emphasis on the Law being a list of sins, but the majority of it is a guide to the better life God has for us. Now with that said I often look at following the Law as honoring God. The way we spend, what we eat and how we worship all are covered by the Law and honor God. So I read this and I wonder if there is some truth to the statement, but quickly dismiss it since the Bible is so clear on what we are to do. Take Peter’s vision of the unclean food, it implies eating pork is ok. So what is it? And if you do follow Peter’s vision are your prayers an “abomination?”
Of course not! I believe this belief and mindset is why Jesus was necessary since following the Law had become legalistic.
Verse 28:14 talks about “fearing” the Lord:
Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
The word “fear” is used often in the Bible to describe ones feelings towards the Lord. You can go on for hours in a word study on this but in a nutshell the Hebrew translation is something more than awe, but rather an overwhelming weight of God’s infinite nature. It mean awe, fear, wonder, joy and more all rolled into one! The normal interpretation makes it sound like we should fear God like we fear our fathers with the “switch”. God is so much more than our Holy Discipliner!! I will say the second half is correct, if not immediate calamity, eventual.
Verse 28: 26 is one I have learned the “hard way”:
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
The only thing I wonder here is how do you trust your mind understands the wisdom given to you? I have had “moments of clarity” which initially seem correct, but end up being folly. So when do you know your “moment” is wisdom and not from your “own mind”? It’s a long slow process of reading the Bible, praying and discussing with fellow believers before one can gain true wisdom. Solomon really had it easy, he just asked for it!!