Proverbs 28:14-18 says,...

Today's verses are Proverbs 28:14-18, which read,

v.14 - How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

The main message of Proverbs is to have a fear of the Lord which is the beginning of knowledge.  We have someone who is doing this always.  This is someone who is in awe of who God is and blessed by God for doing so.  On the other side is the person who hardens his heart toward the Lord.  This one falls into calamity.  This one experiences the consequences of not following after God and not receiving the protection of His love.  His heart is given to someone else.  

v.15 - Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Solomon tells us about leaders in these next verses.  I would be afraid of a roaring lion and a rushing bear.  They would seem to be wanting to devour whatever is in front of them or what they are pursuing.  If you were watching this happening from afar you might say something like, "Oh that poor creature in the lion or bear's path."  Evil actions hurt the poor especially.  They have less defenses to stand against it.  This is why we are instructed to guard the poor and provide for them and not rage against them and take even more from them.  An evil and wicked leader has no heart for the poor.

v.16 - A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

Those who act this way toward the poor will not stand forever.  Actually, they don't know how to truly lead.  They lack understanding of how to survive and thrive in their position.  They think they can devour their way to the top and even if they get there the proverb says it won't be for long.  God has someone who hates unjust gain; He always does; for there is always a remnant who are righteous by faith in who He is and what He says.  The great oppressor will hear, "Recall, recall!" from the people.  The great obeyer of God will hear, "Long live the prince!" from the people.

v.17 - A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.

One has committed a crime.  He has killed another and is on the run literally and also in his mind.  He is not turning to repentance and facing the consequences of his sin but rather running for cover and whoever will ease his conscience about what he has done.  The proverb says to not support someone who is running this way.  You are not helping them by hiding them and their sin.  You are not out to destroy them but actually to help them see that they can not escape or hide behind some tree that God will not see them.  The runner's life will be described as that of a fugitive, always on the run from someone, himself, and God until he dies.  Sometimes, I feel, we support others by being soft on sin.  We don't stress what is sin by what is in the Scriptures and therefore give some ease to the one who needs to do the only answer for it and that is to repent and turn to God.  They would go from being a fugitive to being free.

v.18 - He who walks blameless will be delivered, but he who is crooked will fall all at once.

Our blamelessness comes from the only One who was blameless, Jesus Christ.  What comes with Jesus is a deliverance.  The one who is crooked is following the crooked one, Satan.  The end of his reign is a great fall in the lake of fire.  Again we are back to walking in the Proverbs with Solomon.  How is your walk today?  Are you walking with the Lord or are you walking with Satan?  Are you fearing the Lord or are you hardening your heart to Him?  Are you living your life to get all you can for yourself or are you loving others by caring about them in their poor state?  Are you on the run?  What are you running for?  Who are you running to?  What will be the end of your life?  Will you be a fugitive of your sin or will you be free because of Jesus' sacrifice received by you in faith for Him taking your place?  

A lot of questions to make us think about how we are going to walk today.  Let us ask God to help us to see the world He wants us to see today and respond to it with His love.

"Lord, it seems we need a lot of instruction about what happens if we don't follow after You and fear who You are.  May it sink into our hearts instead of bound off of it.  May we see how You place us in positions of spiritual influence over others for their help and keep our eyes on an eternal prize instead of a temporal one.  Though we are unworthy, You gave us this worthy calling with Your own blood.  Help us Lord we pray.  Amen."

Pastor Adam