20150526 Tuesday, May 26 2015
Proverbs 28: The Biblical Troubleshooters

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"They that forsake the Law praise the wicked: but such as keep the Law contend with them"

There is not a single verse in the Holy Bible that describes true followers of the LORD hating or opposing a true prophet of the LORD (see The LORD God Our Saviour). Only those who forsake the Law, even if (and often, especially when) they have replaced the Law with their own self-serving opinions and self-worshiping perversions do they make themselves enemies of the Word of God.

"8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit [see Pentecost: Power From On High and What Was The Lesson Of John 3:16?]. 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:5-11 KJV)

In practice, the LORD's true prophets have always been "Biblical troubleshooters" sent to repair malfunctions in humanity that inevitably happen when people ignore or discard their Owner's Manual (the Holy Scriptures) and replace it with fiction and nonsense - regardless of how "righteous" they declare it or themselves to be (see Iniquity In History And Prophecy).

Examples from the history of Israel and Judah (see also Israel In History and Prophecy: The Prophets):

Prophets primarily to the northern kingdom of "Israel" to warn them to repent i.e. Joel, Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah

Prophets primarily to the southern kingdom of "Judah" to warn them to repent i.e. Jeremiah, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah

Prophets of Judah in Babylon during the seventy years of exile i.e. Daniel, Ezekiel

Prophets of Judah after the return from the Babylonian exile i.e. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

There are no prophetic books for them, but Elijah and Elisha are major prophets who also lived in the time of Israel and Judah. Elijah's name became a generic term for later prophets i.e. for John the Baptist, "11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come." (Matthew 11:13-14 KJV).

The time just before the return of the Messiah will be identified (i.e. the beginning of their ministry will mean that the return of Jesus Christ is 42 months away) by the ministry of the "two witnesses" (see the Fact Finder question below).

The Proverbs are applied lessons of God's Law - the Way of Winners (see It's Getting Much Easier To Be A Winner).

"28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

28:2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

28:3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

28:4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

28:6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

28:7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

28:8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

28:10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

28:11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

28:12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

28:15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

28:16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

28:17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

28:18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

28:19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

28:21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

28:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

28:24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28:28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase." (Proverbs 28:1-28 KJV)

Fact Finder: What does prophecy tell us about the end-time prophets known as the "two witnesses"?
See The Battle Of The End-Time Prophets