He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Our Relationship To The Law Of God: Selfishness
Compared To Submission: Proverbs 28:17-20
17) A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18) Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but [he that is] perverse [in his]
ways shall fall at once.
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
haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
In
this chapter, Solomon directs our attention to having the proper relationship
to the moral laws of the Lord (this would include the 10 commandments and the
other manifold laws of God that are based upon His person and His character. As such, these laws are in effect for all time
periods and peoples...
EXPOSITION:
In
this devotion, we will look at a comparison between those who submit to God’s
laws and those who selfishly resist them…
17) A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
Concerning
rebellious, purposeful acts of sin…
1. Someone who uses force to take the life of
another shall flee from justice only to find himself in a place of harm.
2. Let no one intervene to stop him from the
punishment that awaits him.
Those
who commit willful murder are meant to be judged severely and none should
attempt to help him escape his punishment.
This is because he willfully chose to commit this murder, and in doing
so, has willfully chosen to receive the justice he deserves.
The
willful, unjust taking of the life of another is no small matter. It is taking an image of God from this world
and placing ourselves in the horrible position of deserving of physical death
at the hands of our government. This was
breaking the sixth commandment…
“Whoso sheddeth man's
blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” (Genesis 9:6)
“Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13)
Keep
in mind, the death penalty was given as a responsibility to man BEFORE the Ten
Commandments were given. It was later
included as the sixth command of the 10 commandments. This helps us to understand that the death
penalty was not simply for the times of the Old Testament law. It was a responsibility placed upon man from
the very beginning of sins’ entrance into the world. Because of this, it is wrong to try to
explain away capital punishment by saying that it ended with the ending of the
OT law.
However
there remains much debate among Godly, devoted Christians as to the existence
of the death penalty in New Testament times… there are good arguments for
either side, however, there does seem to be ample evidence of its existence…
The
Apostle Paul was willing to submit to it…. “For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I
refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse
me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.” (Acts 25:11)
Paul taught that it would be the role of human
governments… “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power
but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore
resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall
receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a
terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the
power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of
God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to
[execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for
conscience sake.” (Romans 13:1-5)
The Apostle John made reference to it… “He that leadeth into
captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be
killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” (Revelation 13:10)
All of which seem to allude to the continued
existence of capital punishment as the appropriate punishment for murder.
18) Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but [he that is] perverse [in his]
ways shall fall at once.
Concerning
lifestyles….
1. The person whose lifestyle is upright and
lawful shall be at peace with the Lord, not deserving of His judgment
2. But he whose lifestyle is twisted and
perverted shall certainly cast down
The
person who is saved by the grace of God, with the indwelling spirit within him,
will possess an upright lifestyle. But
the lost person, who is headed for judgment, will possess a lifestyle of
rebellion and disobedience to the Lord.
“But as for me, I will walk
in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.” (Psalms 26:11)
19) He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that
followeth after vain [persons] shall
have poverty enough.
Concerning
material needs….
1. He that properly prepares his field for
planting will have an abundance of food
2. But he that runs after worthless men will be
lacking the necessities of life.
The
person who follows the way of wisdom will work to meet his needs, while those
who follow the examples of the rebellious will find themselves in great need.
“Be thou diligent to know
the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds. For riches [are] not for
ever: and doth the crown [endure] to every generation? The hay appeareth, and the
tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. The lambs [are] for thy
clothing, and the goats [are] the price of the field. And [thou shalt have]
goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and [for] the
maintenance for thy maidens.” (Proverbs 27:23-27)
20) A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh
haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Concerning
faithfulness….
1. A trustworthy man shall overflow with
gracious gifts from the Lord.
2. The man that presses himself to hurriedly
accumulate earthy riches shall be guilty and awaiting punishment.
A
man who is trustworthy in the things of the Lord will be spiritually and
physically blessed of Him. However, the
man the devotes his life to gain physical wealth will be guilty of disobedience
to the Lord and deserving of His punishing hand.
“But they that will be rich
fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
SUMMARY:
When we live our lives
lawfully, in submission to the will of the Lord, we can look forward to His
manifold blessings in this life and the life to come. However, when we become selfish and live
unlawfully to gain satisfaction for our fleshly desires, we exchange the Lord’s
punishment for His gracious blessings.
This principle applies to
our rebellious,
purposeful acts of sin; our lifestyles; the possession of our physical needs;
and our faithfulness to the responsibilities He has given to us.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
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