Proverbs 28 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
Proverbs 28 Short Summary:
Proverbs 28 continues the short proverbs of Solomon that began in chapter 10. Solomon’s proverbs are recorded in Proverbs chapter 10 through chapter 29. These proverbs are typically short and concise statements of wisdom for the medication of the reader.
Proverbs 28 Summary
BREAKDOWN OF PROVERBS - CHART
DEFINITIONS:
Strive (28:4) – To make a great effort to achieve something.
Gluttonous (28:7) – Doing things to excess.
Partiality (28:21) – Showing favoritism towards one group or another based on personal bias.
Stingy (28:22) – Someone with no generosity who hoards up money for themselves.
HIGHLIGHTED PROVERBS:
PROVERB #1:
Proverbs 28:1 – “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Wicked people are fearful and quick to run away. This could be for a couple of reasons...
(1) They have an uneasy conscience about their bad lifestyle. They live in fear of being found out, so they’re flighty, sometimes even running away when there isn’t a real danger.
(2) They don’t believe in anything worth fighting for. They reject God’s objective moral principles and live only for their personal opinions. When those opinions risk getting them in trouble, they are quick to abandon them and run away.
In contrast to these wicked people, the righteous man stands like a lion against opposition.
He knows he has nothing to hide. He lives an upright life.
He stands on God’s eternal truths, which are something worth fighting for.
His soul is secure in life or in death, so he is bold in standing his ground.
PROVERB #2:
Proverbs 28:10 – “Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.”
Those who lead God’s people into sin are destined for a bad fate.
Those who help God’s people persist in a righteous life are destined for a blessing.
God takes it very seriously when a person intentionally trips up someone who is trying their best to follow His instruction.
Think twice before you peer pressure someone into doing something they shouldn’t do.
Think twice before you pressure someone to violate their conscience.
One of Jesus’ harshest rebukes was directed at those who lead others into sin.
Mark 9:42 – “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”
PROVERB #3:
Proverbs 28:13 – “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
If you’ve done something wrong, don’t hide it and hope no one finds out about it. Instead, confess your wrong and obtain forgiveness.
Mercy awaits those who repent and confess.
Hardship awaits those who keep things hidden.
The New Testament authors give similar advice when it comes to overcoming sin in our lives. The way out of sin is not to conceal your mistakes, hide them away, and pretend you’ve got your life together even though you’re struggling every day.
Confession is a pathway to healing and sanctification. Confession allows others to know about our weaknesses, for them to support us, and for them to pray on our behalf to the One who gives strength.
James 5:16 – “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
