CHAPTER XXVIII _The timidity of the wicked. Quick succession in the government_ _of a country is a punishment to the land. Of the poor who_ _oppress the poor. The upright poor man is preferable to the_ _wicked rich man. The unprofitable conduct of the usurer. The_ _prosperity of the righteous a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:2. _MANY_ ARE _THE PRINCES_] _Nations_, as nations, cannot be judged in a future world; therefore, God judges them _here_. And where the _people_ are very _wicked_, and the _constitution_ very _bad_, the _succession of princes is frequent_-they are generally taken off by an untimel... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:3. _A POOR MAN THAT OPPRESSETH THE POOR_] Our Lord illustrates this proverb most beautifully, by the parable of the _two debtors_, Matthew 18:23, c. One owed _ten thousand talents_, was insolvent, begged for time, was forgiven. A fellow servant owed this one _a hundred pence_: he... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:4. _THEY THAT FORSAKE THE LAW_] He that transgresses says, in fact, that it is _right to transgress_; and thus other wicked persons are _encouraged_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:5. _THEY THAT SEEK THE LORD UNDERSTAND ALL_ THINGS.] They are wise unto salvation; they "have the unction from the Holy One, and they know all things," 1 John 2:20, every thing that is essentially needful for them to know, in reference to both worlds.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:8. _HE THAT BY USURY - INCREASETH HIS SUBSTANCE_] By taking unlawful interest for his money; _lending_ to a man in great distress, money, for the use of which he requires an _exorbitant_ _sum_. O that the names of all those unfeeling, hard-hearted, consummate villains in the nation... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:9. _HE THAT TURNETH AWAY HIS EAR FROM HEARING THE LAW_] Many suppose, if they _do not know their duty, they shall not be_ _accountable for their transgressions_; and therefore avoid every thing that is calculated to enlighten them. They will not read the Bible, lest they should kno... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:10. _WHOSO CAUSETH THE RIGHTEOUS TO GO ASTRAY_] He who strives to pervert one really converted to God, in order that he may pour contempt on religion, shall fall into that hell to which he has endeavoured to lead the other.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:12. _WHEN RIGHTEOUS_ MEN _DO REJOICE_] When true religion is no longer persecuted, and the word of God duly esteemed, _there is_ _great glory_; for the word of the Lord has then free course, runs, and is glorified: but _when the wicked rise_-when they are _elevated_ to places of tr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:13. _HE THAT COVERETH HIS SINS_] Here is a general _direction_ relative to conversion. 1. If the sinner do not _acknowledge_ his sins; if he _cover_ and _excuse_ them, and refuse to come to the light of God's word and Spirit, lest his deeds should be reproved, he _shall find no sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:14. _HAPPY_ IS _THE MAN THAT FEARETH ALWAY_] That ever carries about with him that reverential and filial fear of God, which will lead him to avoid sin, and labour to do that which is lawful and right in the sight of God his Saviour.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:16. _THE PRINCE THAT WANTETH UNDERSTANDING_] A weak prince will generally have wicked ministers, for his weakness prevents him from making a proper choice; and he is apt to prefer them who flatter him, and minister most to his pleasures. The quantum of the king's intellect may be a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:17. _THAT DOETH VIOLENCE TO THE BLOOD_] He who either _slays_ the innocent, or procures his destruction, may flee to _hide_ himself: but let none give him protection. The law demands his life, because he is a _murderer_; and let none deprive justice of its claim. Murder is the most... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:18. _SHALL FALL AT ONCE_] Shall fall _without resource,_ _altogether_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:19. _HE THAT TILLETH HIS LAND_] See Proverbs 12:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:20. _HE THAT MAKETH HASTE TO BE RICH_] See Proverbs 13:11; Proverbs 20:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:24. _WHOSO ROBBETH HIS FATHER_] The father's property is as much his own, in reference to the child, as that of the merest _stranger_. He who robs his parents is worse than a common robber; to the act of dishonesty and rapine he adds ingratitude, cruelty, and disobedience. Such a p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:25. _SHALL BE MADE FAT._] Shall be prosperous.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:26. _HE THAT TRUSTETH IN HIS OWN HEART IS A FOOL_] For his heart, which is deceitful and desperately wicked, will infallibly deceive him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 28:27. _HE THAT GIVETH UNTO THE POOR_] See the notes on the passages referred to in the margin (Deuteronomy 15:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; Deuteronomy 22:9).... [ Continue Reading ]