Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 701 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Good Lion, Bad Lion – Proverbs 28

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 701 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Every Wednesday along life’s trails we dig for the nuggets of wisdom that are found within the book of Proverbs. Today we will explore Proverbs 28 from The Voice Translation which will give us a fresh perspective on this book of timeless wisdom.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Last week I invested time in Arizona working on our construction projects. We made some headway, but still have a lot to do this week as we finalize our proposal and contract for Phase II. As with all work or any activities that we are involved in, there are good aspects and bad aspects, and we need to take the good with the bad.  This reminds me of Proverbs 28 that we will explore today. There is a contrast between…

Good Lion, Bad Lion

As we know, chapters 25-29 were arranged by King Hezekiah’s men some 250 years after the time of King Solomon. The first part (chapters 25-27) is for people who serve under leaders, but this second part (chapters 28-29) is aimed at people who are the leaders.

What’s more, the literary design of this section is fascinating! It contains 28 proverbs, with 14 in the first half and 14 in the second. Each half begins with a proverb about lions (verses 1 and 15). One of them is a good lion, the other is bad. One is bold and dignified, and the other one just huffs and puffs. The lion, of course, is a symbol of a leader. Which type will you be? One who uses their position of authority to protect others, or one who uses leadership for selfish advantage?

The wise and righteous leader, according to this chapter, will demonstrate a heart of compassion. Look at how many times the poor and oppressed are referenced in this chapter. The one who cares for the less privileged shows true dignity, but cursed is the one who hides his eyes from the poor (verse 27). You may not view yourself as a ruler or leader, but we all lead to some degree, even if it is just among friends and family. Let these proverbs challenge how you lead your life today.

Listen intently as I read Proverbs 28.

¹ The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them;
the right-living, however, stand their ground as boldly as lions.
² Where there is rebellion in a land,
there are many petty and contending rulers;
But where there is a wise and intelligent leader,
peace and order endure.

³ A poor person who oppresses others who are poor
is like a driving rain that destroys the crops and leaves no food.

⁴ Those who turn their backs on God’s teaching applaud the wicked,
while those who observe His instruction oppose them at every turn.

⁵ Evil people are not able to understand justice,
but those who pursue the Eternal understand it completely.

⁶ It is better to be a pauper walking in integrity
than a dishonest man, even if he is rich.

⁷ Whoever follows God’s teaching is a wise child,
but the one who spends time with gluttons and drunks disgraces his parents.

⁸ Anyone who increases his wealth by charging a high rate of interest
is only collecting it for another who will deal more liberally with the poor.

⁹ The one who turns his ear from hearing God’s instruction
will find that even his prayers are detestable to God.

¹⁰ Whoever tries to deceive a good person into taking the path of evil
will fall into the pit he himself made,
but the truly honest shall be the heirs of all that is good.

¹¹ A rich man may be wise in his own sight,
but a perceptive pauper will see right through him.

¹² There is much glory when just men celebrate;
but when the wicked gain power, people take cover.

¹³ Whoever tries to hide his sins will not succeed,
but the one who confesses his sins and leaves them behind will find mercy.
¹⁴ Happy is the one who always fears the Lord,
but the person who hardens his heart to God falls into misfortune.

¹⁵ Like a roaring lion or a charging bear,
so is a wicked man ruling over an impoverished people.
¹⁶ A leader who lacks intelligence cruelly oppresses the people,
but one who hates corruption will prosper and live a long life.

¹⁷ A man guilty of murder is a fugitive,
fleeing to the nearest hole in the ground but not escaping death’s cold pit.
Don’t do anything to save him.

¹⁸ Whoever walks in honesty will be safe,
but whoever travels the crooked path will suddenly fall.
¹⁹ Whoever cultivates his land will have plenty of food in the harvest,
but whoever cultivates worthless ventures will have poverty in abundance.

²⁰ A reliable person will not escape blessings,
but one who wants to get rich quick will not escape trouble.

²¹ Showing favoritism is not good;
some will desert the truth for a measly crust of bread.

²² A greedy person is in a hurry to get rich,
but he is ignorant of the loss that is about to overtake him.

²³ A person who offers constructive criticism will, in the end, be appreciated more
than a person who engages in empty flattery.

²⁴ One who robs his father or his mother
and says, “There’s nothing wrong with that! I had it coming!”
walks in the company of murderers.

²⁵ When the greedy want more, they stir up trouble;
but when a person trusts in the Eternal, he’s sure to prosper.
²⁶ Anyone who puts confidence only in himself is a fool,
but the person who follows wisdom will be kept safe.

²⁷ Whoever gives to the poor will have what he needs,
but the one who shuts his eyes to their plight will face curse after curse.

²⁸ When the wicked have the upper hand, people go into hiding;
but when they perish, the good folk will begin to increase.

That will conclude our exploration of Proverbs 28. Are you a good lion or bad lion? In other words, are you a good leader or a bad leader? We all lead in some area of life. The precepts found in God’s Word have the law of planting and harvesting built into them. If you plant good seeds in life, you will reap a bountiful harvest of good. The opposite is also true.  Over the course of our lives, we will harvest what we plant. Each week we will explore a full chapter in Proverbs. I hope that you will join us next week for Chapter 29 so that you can gain wisdom, insight, and understanding for yourself.

The entire book of Proverbs provides us with rich wisdom, insight, and understanding on a myriad of life issues. Regardless of where you are in your faith walk, if you follow the precepts in Proverbs, your life will be rich and satisfying.  I encourage you to take them and plant the seeds of wisdom in your heart so that you will reap a harvest of wisdom throughout your life.

Tomorrow we will continue with our 3-minute wisdom nugget that will provide you with a bit of wisdom that, if followed will allow you to grow healthier, wealthier, and wiser each day. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe through iTunes or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!