Proverbs 28:9

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. HE THAT TURNETH AWAY HIS EAR FROM HEARING THE LAW, EVEN HIS PRAYER SHALL BE ABOMINATION - (; , on the first clause; ; , on the last). He who will not hear does not deserve to be heard....

Verse Proverbs 28:9. _HE THAT TURNETH AWAY HIS EAR FROM HEARING THE LAW_] Many suppose, if they _do not know their duty, they shall not be_ _accountable for their transgressions_; and therefore avoid every thing that is calculated to enlighten them. They will not read the Bible, lest they should know the will of Good; and they will not attend Divine ordinances for the same reason. But this pretense will avail them nothing; as he that _might have known his master's_ _will_, but would not, shall be treated as he shall be who _did know_ it, and disobeyed it. Even the _prayers_ of such a person as this are reputed _sin_ before God....

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...

HE THAT TURNETH AWAY HIS EAR FROM HEARING THE LAW,.... Not merely the moral law, but the word of God in general, and any and every doctrine of it; though the law is to be heard and attended to, what it commands and forbids, its precepts, menaces, and curses: indeed the Spirit of God is not received by the hearing of the law, nor does faith come by that; but by hearing the word of God, particularly the Gospel; which yet then turn away their ears from, and are turned to fables, and choose to hearken to anything rather than that; and, like the deaf adder, stop their ears to the voice of the charmer, charming ever so wisely; the folly and sad effects of which will be seen when too late; EVEN HIS PRAYER [SHALL BE] ABOMINATION; that is, to God; not only his ungodly actions, but even his outward exercises of religion, which carry in them some show of goodness and holiness; and particularly his...

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

THE LAW. instruction....

_abomination_ Comp. ch. Proverbs 15:8....

HE THAT TURNETH AWAY HIS EAR, &C.— "He who will not hearken to what God directs, nor do what he enjoins, has no reason to pretend to ask any thing of him, and in truth were better not to think of him at all: he had much rather we should not use his name at all, than only mention him in our oaths and blasphemies; and that we should never magnify his power, his providence, or his mercy, rather than make use of those discourses to seditious and sacrilegious purposes. If we live like heathens or infidels, our Christian prayers do but affront his majesty, and our praises depress his glory....

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