Proverbs 28:12 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

Navigator

Proverbs 28:12

Comments

There are echoes of Provers 11:10 here. The man of integrity longs for the coming of Christ’s visible kingdom when he can openly practice righteousness and know that his King governs all things according to the truth. Then he will come boldly into the light and show that he loves the light and loves the government of the Lord and every judgment that takes place in his kingdom. But what will he do while the darkness still prevails? Will he abandon his integrity in order to fit in with those who hate God and are ashamed of his standards? No, he will continue to walk uprightly, and wait patiently for the Lord to take his power to himself, and in the meantime he will keep out of the way of those who would pervert all right values and impose their godless standards on the world. He is hidden or as the Hebrew says, he is searched for, that is, he conceals himself, because there are those who would actively force him to conform to their pattern of behaviour and he wants nothing to do with them, so he makes it hard for them to find him. It is a time of trial to him, which requires patience and hope to get through. He can get through it only because he hopes for better times to come, and God gives good ground for this hope, ‘for the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity’ (Psalm 125:3).Looked at from the perspective of the ruler, the nation inevitably seems to be composed of those who are in his own image, for the people soon discern the character of their king. The wicked are constantly looking for any sign of encouragement, any licence to do as they please, and the righteous make themselves scarce when a wicked king arises, so where is he going to find those who will uphold truth?

Application

In the church of Christ there must be leadership by example, and that leadership must evidence its integrity and wisdom. The leaders must be men of prayer, men of worship, men who put Christ’s cause first, and who live sacrificial lives. The ministry will set out clearly the standards of the Lord, and the people will be gently nurtured by the word of God. Cases requiring church discipline will be dealt with wisely, encouraging repentance and demonstrating to the church and the world that God’s people are called to be separate from evil. In response, those who love righteousness will come forward to serve Lord. Their spiritual lives will flourish in this atmosphere and they will grow to maturity and in due time become a new generation to take over the responsibilities of leadership themselves.

Questions

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Proverbs 28:12 Commentary and Bible Study