Those with Integrity are Bold as the Lion

Proverbs 28:1-14

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.

3 A poor man who oppresses the poor
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
But the blameless will inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory;
But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.

13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Those with integrity who follow righteousness ultimately find their righteousness in the Lion of Judah, and are bold in Him.  The evil ones follow the unrighteous and run from themselves in a deep-seated unconscious awareness with conviction of their unrighteousness.  Right can only be maintained in a country by ones with knowledge and understanding of God’s sovereign rule over all and the righteousness which comes from abiding in Him alone.  The sin of many rulers and magistrates in a land come a culture glorifying sin and ignoring Him; they have no knowledge of the Holy and come to nothing.  These are spiritually poor but do not recognize or acknowledge that fact, and so go on oppressing the poor themselves.  They are like a storm driving a deluge of rain which destroys the source of food instead of gently watering the ground to feed others in the knowledge amd righteousness of God.  These deny God’s word and refuse to follow it, leading to the support of sin and praise of those joining them in it.  Yes, they cannot understand justice as those who keep His word and have that knowledge and wisdom to support those who honor Him.  It is therefore far better to be poor in spirit (humble) and possessions and have integrity, especially for those who rule.  Keeping God’s word shows discernment instead of indulging one’s own appetites unchecked and shaming their Maker.  The unrighteous walk over others and cheat them for dishonest gain but may find it goes to others who will take it all and use it rightly for the food of meeting needs.  How many offer empty religious prayers of rote unbelief in empty traditions of men as they ignore God’s word that gives knowledge and wisdom of righteous guidance!  Their prayers as they call them are an abomination according to His word here.  Those teaching these false ways in opposition to the scriptures lead others astray, but they themselves fall into the deep hole that they dig.  However, the humble who are blameless in the Lord and His righteousness inherit good from God.  Those rich in their own eyes think themselves to be good, but are not, and if we have understanding we will find this out in time as we gauge all according to His word.  If we live in this righteousness others will glory in our joy, but the wicked only dive me into hiding from them and from God.  Yes, if we cover our sins we cannot prosper in God’s sight.  If we confess our sins and forsake them in true repentance, He is faithful and just to forgive and restore us in Christ (1 John 1:9).  Happy and blessed are those who are reverent in pursuing holiness in His righteousness, but those who harden their hearts find only disastrous destruction in the end.  May we live in integrity as we are bold in the Lion of the tribe of Judah!  Amen and amen.