Proverbs 29

1. He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy

In my list of scary verses in the Bible this is a top 5 verse. What a warning!! After making appeal and appeal and appeal to be receptive of rebukes and correction Solomon say that the person who continually despises discipline will be suddenly destroyed. Some commentaries see this as death because of the concluding statement “and without remedy.”

NOTE: throughout this book we have seen references to the body – eyes, ears, lips, mouth, mind, hands, feet, and heart. Here we see the neck with reference to being hard or stiff.   The children of Israel were many times characterized as stiff-neck people – so much so that the reason given for the first generation not being able to enter the promise land is they were stiff- necked (Deut. 9:6).  What today is your stubbornness costing you?

2. ¶ When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

“Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.” John Maxwell. The character of the leader has tremendous ramifications not only for themselves but for the people.

This is not a new theme:

Pr 11:10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

Pr 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

Pr 25:5 Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness

Pr 28:28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.

3. ¶ Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, But a companion of harlots wastes his

One thinks of the story of the prodigal son when you read this verse. Luke 15:13 “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there  wasted his possessions with prodigal living.

Our choices do affect our parents.

4. ¶ The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows Leadership is established by trust – one has to know the leader cannot be bought.
5. ¶ A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his

Gossip is telling another person something that you would not say to the person’s face that you are talking about. Flattery is saying something to a person’s face that you would not say to others. Flattery is false praise.

6. ¶ By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and

The idea of snared is an animal that has been trapped. Here we have a person who does not want discipline – does not want restrictions – does not want rules – they want freedom – freedom to do whatever they want. However the freedom leads to bondage.

On the other hand we have a person who obeys restrictions – embraces them to the point it looks like they are in bondage but the “bondage” leads to freedom.

Sin enslaves – righteousness frees. The sinner moans – the righteous sings and rejoices.

7. ¶ The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.

The righteous consider – that means they ponder –they think about. They look for solutions – ways to help a person help themselves. The wicked do not care about the plight of others.

8. ¶ Scoffers set a city aflame, But wise men turn away wrath

Prov. 14:1 told us that a foolish woman pulls down her own house. Here we see the results of one who is in total rebellion against authority.

9. ¶ If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace

There is no sensible reasoning with a fool. They are not looking for solutions.

10. ¶ The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, But the upright seek his well-being.

Jesus told His disciples that if people hated Him they would also hate them. When people fall out with God they fall out with His leaders and followers. Upright people look out for others!!

11. ¶ A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back

A tremendous contrast of self control with emotions is seen here between the fool and the wise man .

12. ¶ If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his servants become wicked

Leadership is influence. What the leader accepts in small doses his people will do in excess. In Ps. 101:7 David stated that he would not a have deceivers and liars in his administration,

7. He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence

13. ¶ The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of As we battle the temptation of pride (shown here as being the oppressor) we should remember that there are many things we do not control. God is the one who brings sunshine and rain. It is important to stay humble.

14. ¶ The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever

*Again, integrity is the establishing factor for a leader. How we treat those with little power reveals our true character.

15. ¶ The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

*It takes discipline to discipline. We must get involved and apply discipline that brings about change or the future will be filled with regret.

16. ¶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.

This is a warning – for both the wicked and the righteous. If the righteous don’t discipline they will see an increase in transgressions. But the wicked should know that all sin leads to destruction over time.

17. ¶ Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.

Tied to verse 15 we are called on to discipline our children. So many parents fail to understand this verse!!

18. Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law

This verse in the KJV says vision and has been used for many sermons on the importance of having a vision – the Hebrew here carries the idea of “where there is not teaching of the Word of God it leads to rebellion.” The contrast shows the joy that comes to a society, to a people, to a family – to a person who keeps the law.

19. ¶ A servant will not be corrected by mere words; For though he understands, he will not respond.

The idea is one who is a stubborn servant.   What does it take to correct you?

20. ¶ Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him

Impulsive speech is dangerous – so dangerous that Solomon writes a fool with all of his faults has a better chance of success than this man. How much control do you have on your tongue?

21. ¶ He who pampers his servant from childhood will have him as a son in the

How one treats a servant determines how the servant treats you.

22.  ¶ An angry man stirs up strife, And a furious man abounds in transgression.

Re–read ! A man with no self control of his emotions is nothing but trouble for everyone.

23. ¶ A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor

We see the contrast of the proud vs the humble.

24. ¶ Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing

25. ¶ The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be

Fear paralyzes us. Faith motivates us.

26. ¶ Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD.

Ultimately true justice for a person comes only from God who knows and understands all.

27. ¶ An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

*The battle is on. Righteousness stands against sinners and sinner resist the righteous.