Proverbs 29:1-5

 

Prov 29:1 (KJB)

He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

 

Often reproved - Correction or chastise

Destroyed -Crush, break into pieces, or shatter

Remedy - Healing

 

In previous verses we read about how a fool is chastised for the purpose of bringing him around to his senses. This verse speaks about a person who has been repeatedly corrected or chastised and has refused to listen to wise instruction and that refusal has caused them to be hard hearted toward the word of God and that rejection of God’s word will cause two types of destruction in the person’s life. The first type will be in his physical life where he must pay for his debts against society which could be prison or the death penalty, depending upon what his final crime was. The second type of destruction is total and that is eternal damnation from being at the White Throne Judgment Seat of Christ. There he will give account of his sins and the penalty will be without remedy, that is, no reprieve given. Such is the life that the unrepentant sinner has to look forward to.

 

Prov 29:2 (KJB)

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

 

Mourn - They will sigh - Used for a person grieving or in physical distress

 

When the righteous rule the land, the people will rejoice because they know that they will not be persecuted and their families will be safe on the streets. They do not have to worry about some secret police force picking them up and throwing them into prison without cause. The righteous can do business openly and without fear. The free practice of religion can be restored and people can worship God without fear. When the wicked are ruling, then everything good must go underground to survive. The people sigh because they realize their homes can be invaded and families taken without any reason. Everything in their lives is subject to confiscation and theft by the government. Someday when we are in the New Heaven and the New Earth, the Lord Jesus Christ will rule and all His children will be free from any type of threats because they will all have been done away with in Judgment.

 

Prov 29:3 (KJB)

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

 

Spendeth his substance - Will destroy wealth

 

In the early chapters of Proverbs we saw the warnings about young men involving themselves with harlots. The son who avoids these situations and lives his life in wisdom is one who causes his father to rejoice because he knows that his son has his mind on other more productive and legal things which means that he can be trusted. The one who keeps company with the harlots and the lifestyle which accompanies it, and that may include drinking and gambling, is one who will not only spend what he owns but may begin to take from the family money to keep up his lifestyle. Remember a few passages back in 28:24 we saw that there may be some who steal from their parents and not call it a transgression. This person may do the same thing and does not see it as stealing because he is blinded to his own sins that he keeps feeding and not forsaking. People that live this lifestyle are those who retire with nothing because they do not prepare.

 

Prov 29:4 (KJB)

The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

 

Judgment - Justice

Establisheth - To stand or to stay or to fix firmly

Overthroweth it - He will break it down

 

This verse also speaks of a righteous king who establishes his country to stand firm and he does it by proper justice. He will not allow anything illegal in his administration and this results in a strong land and a strong land is one that other countries fear to invade because of their strength. Citizens would rather fight for a country where their freedoms are at stake rather than fight for a country where they will continually be oppressed. The second half of this verse shows how a king can break down the strength of a country. A country that is strong in righteousness is strong in the Lord but if the rulers start to take bribes, that will break down the strength of the country because sin always erodes whatever it involves itself in. There was a time when the United States was a very strong country but since we have made a pact with sin, it is becoming constantly weaker.

 

Prov 29:5 (KJB)

A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

 

Flattereth - To be smooth or to divide

 

A person who lavishes flattery on another person for the purpose of gaining some advantage is setting a trap for that person. Someone should realize that if another is praising them like they are a deity, then they should realize they are being set up. The problem is that some people know how to give praise in such a way that the person receiving them gets caught up in them. One of the best examples of this is Herod. (Acts 12:21-23 KJV) And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. {22} And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. {23} And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. Herod accepted the praise that he was a god and the God of Heaven smote him. Whenever someone inordinately praises someone, they better be on guard because they are being set up for something. Flattery should be a momentary thing without any strings attached.

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