Proverbs 28:4

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. THEY THAT FORSAKE THE LAW PRAISE THE WICKED - naturally, as resembling themselves. By praises of the wicked one betrays what kind of man he is himself (; ). BUT SUCH AS KEEP THE LAW CONTEND WITH THEM - (; .) The truly godly not only keep God's law, but "contend with them" who do not, and 'plead for truth' ()....

Verse Proverbs 28:4. _THEY THAT FORSAKE THE LAW_] He that transgresses says, in fact, that it is _right to transgress_; and thus other wicked persons are _encouraged_....

EXPOSITION This chapter is still part of the Hezekiah collection, and not a new series by another author. It may be regarded as describing the various destinies of the powerful and the weak, the sinner and the righteous. PROVERBS 28:1 THE WICKED FLEE WHEN NO MAN PURSUETH. The unreasoning terror of the sinner arises partly from his uneasy conscience, which will not permit him to transgress without warning of consequences, and partly from the judgment of God, according to the threats denounced in Leviticus 26:36, Leviticus 26:37. A terrible picture of this instinctive fear is drawn in...

THEY THAT FORSAKE THE LAW PRAISE THE WICKED,.... Who are like them; who forsake and transgress the law, as they do; every like loves its like; wicked men delight in sin, the transgression of the law, and in those that do it. One covetous man will bless and praise another, whom the Lord abhors, and commend his covetousness as frugality and good husbandry: one proud man will call another happy, and praise him as a man of spirit, that will not debase himself, but keep up his authority, rank, and dignity, and not condescend to men of low estates; the workers of wickedness are set up and extolled, and tempters of God, men of atheistical and deistical principles, are not only delivered from the punishment they deserve, but are commended for their bold spirits; see Psalms 10:3. Or, "every wicked man praises those that forsake the law", so Schultens; but such as keep the law contend wit

CHAPTER 28 WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS CONTINUED The wicked is a coward; the righteous man, because he trusteth in the Lord and knows the Lord is on his side, is as bold as a lion. It is the conscience which makes a coward of the wicked man. This chapter has many sharp contrasts and important warnings and exhortations. We point out a few. Those who forsake the law, turn their backs upon the revelation of God, refuse obedience to Him, praise the wicked, they make common cause with them. Those who keep the law, obey God's Word, are contenders for the faith Proverbs 28:4. Evil men are blind, but with seeking the Lord comes understanding, the blind eyes are opened Proverbs 28:5. A wise son is he who keepeth the law; such was Solomon till he plunged into apostasy and darkness...

SECOND DIVISION, PROVERBS 28 F. In general character this division resembles Section II., consisting chiefly of antithetic couplets. PROVERBS 28:2 B. The text is uncertain, and various renderings are possible. The translation state is very doubtful. If MT be retained, connect the word for state with the preceding, and translate by men of understanding who know what is right it is prolonged. LXX reads Through the sin of the ungodly disputes arise, but a prudent man quenches them, possibly the original text. Proverbs 28:3. A needy man: so MT, but the thought is not in keeping with the conception of the poor in Pr. or in the OT. We should probably read a wicked man who, etc. (LXX), or possibly a rich man who, etc. The simile seems to be that of a heavy unseasonable rain which flood

PRAISE THE WICKED. praise. lawless one. Illustrations: Saul (1 Samuel 23:21); Absalom (2 Samuel 15:6); Judah's nobles (Nehemiah 6:19); false prophets (Jeremiah 5:30; Jeremiah 5:31); Jews (Acts 12:21). CONTEND WITH THEM. Illustrations: Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:7; Nehemiah 13:11); Jo

_the law_ not in its Jewish form, "The Law," sc. of Moses, but in its wider sense; and so in Proverbs 28:7_; Proverbs 28:9_, below. See Introd. p. 13....

DISCOURSE: 814 THE EFFECTS OF PIETY AND IMPIETY IN THE WORLD Proverbs 28:4. _They that forsake the Law, praise the wicked; but such as keep the Law, contend with them_. MAN, as a social being, has an influence on those around him: and his actions should be considered, not merely as they affect himself, but, in their social aspect, as tending to make an impression upon the minds of others. In this point of view, a great measure of responsibility attaches to us, far beyond what, at first sight, we should be ready to imagine. Our good or evil conduct operates as an example, and countenances a similar conduct in others: so that, in our daily actions, we, though unconscious of it, are doing good or evil to an unknown extent. This is proclaimed in the words before us: “They that forsake the Law, praise the wicked; but such as keep the Law, contend with them.” From these wor

CHAPTER 28 TEXT Proverbs 28:1-9 1. The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. 2. For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. 3. A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. 4. They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them. 5. Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things. 6. Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. 7. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father. 8. He that augmenteth his substa