He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Increasing Life’s Joy: Avoid Abuse Of Others
(1): Proverbs 22:22-25
22) Rob not the
poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23) For the LORD
will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24) Make no
friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25) Lest thou learn
his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
To
close this chapter, Solomon reminds us of the need to treat others in a Godly
way. By doing this we can avoid the
pangs of guilt and the chastening hand of the Lord, which leads to an increase
in our joy, peace and communion with the Lord.
EXPOSITION:
22) Rob not the
poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23) For the LORD will plead their cause, and
spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
Avoid
the selfish abuse of others, by doing this we are protecting ourselves from the
judgment of God…
1. Do not “pluck off” or “harvest” from the
needy knowing they are lacking the ability to defend themselves
2. Also do not use the place of public judgment to
bruise and break those who are facing great troubles
3. Why do this?
Because the Lord will defend the needy as they face these trials
4. The Lord will also overtake those who selfishly
take advantage of the needy.
Many
times, our flesh will tell us to take advantage of those who are disadvantaged,
struggling, and defenseless. We must ALWAYS
avoid this by showing love and concern towards those who are facing life’s
difficulties. Instead of working to gain
from them, we should be willing to sacrifice on their behalf to help bring them
out of the troubled position that they are suffering.
In
doing this, we will be protecting ourselves for the hand of justice that is
wrought by God on behalf of those who are humbled and in need.
“The people of the land
have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy:
yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.” (Ezekiel 22:29)
“All my bones shall say,
LORD, who [is] like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too
strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?” (Psalms 35:10)
24) Make no
friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25) Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare
to thy soul.
Avoid
joining with those who are uncontrolled due to their anger, which will lead to
our abuse of others…
1. Do not become an associate with those who
have uncontrolled passions and flare their nose in rage.
2. Do not accompany a man who is burning inside
with wrath.
3. If we do we will taught to follow his life
path
4. And your life will be caught in the snare
that was meant for him.
When
we choose to be companions with those who cannot control their passions and
burn with anger within themselves, we are only placing ourselves in a dangerous
position. We are setting ourselves up to
follow his example of anger and intemperance as well as endangering ourselves
of coming harm.
“But were mingled among the
heathen, and learned their works. And they served their
idols: which were a snare unto them.” (Psalms 106:35-36)
SUMMARY:
The
Lord not only warned us of the need to treat others properly, but also helped
us to understand one of the great reasons why Christians abuse others, associating
themselves with the angry and uncontrolled.
May we all take these warnings seriously and refrain from abusing others
while keeping ourselves from those who do.
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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