Read Proverbs 29:22–27
Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of man does Proverbs 29:22 describe? What effect does he have on others and on himself? What is the problem with the man in Proverbs 29:23a? With what result? Who will be honored instead (verse 23b)? Against what sort of man does Proverbs 29:24 warn? What other fault does he have? What can trap you (Proverbs 29:25)? But what keeps you safe from that? From whom do many seek justice (Proverbs 29:26)? Where can it actually be found? What do the unjust and the upright think about each other (Proverbs 29:27)?
How can you avoid getting involved with the sort of people who will destroy you? Proverbs 29:22–27 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that trusting in the Lord, and pleasing Him, is the path to maintaining honor and righteousness.
With this section, the proverbs collected in the time of Hezekiah (cf. Proverbs 25:1) come to a conclusion.
This section is basically a warning against the unjust man, in his various forms, whom Solomon’s son is to abominate (Proverbs 29:27a), and whose own abominating of himself his son is to expect (verse 27b).
The unjust man is characterized by anger (Proverbs 29:22). If this is a prevailing fault with you, it must be dealt with, because it harms both the community of which you are a part (stirring up strife there, verse 22a) and you yourself (making your transgressions multiply, verse 22b).
The unjust man is characterized by pride (Proverbs 29:23). Don’t be attached to such a man, because he will pull you to the bottom with himself, like an anchor. It is those who are humble in spirit who retain honor.
The unjust man is characterized by dishonesty in material things and speech (Proverbs 29:24). No ruler (or anyone else) should attach himself to such a man. To do so is to “hate his own life”! Watch out for such people, and don’t get entangled with them. And by the grace of God renounce such conduct yourself.
One reason that rulers, and other people, end up accommodating the unjust man is because they either want to please them, or they are afraid of what they might do to them. This is the “fear of man” that “brings a snare.” Man-fear traps you in self-destructive connections with the ungodly.
Thankfully, Proverbs 29:25 gives the solution: trusting in YHWH. If you trust in the Lord, it will deliver you from the fear of man. So, resist the urge to please everyone who seeks your face (Proverbs 29:26a), and seek instead to do whatever YHWH says is right (verse 26b). Justice is maintained by faithful submission to Scripture, not by trying to do what men expect!
Which of the characteristics of the unjust man are you most in danger of bearing? And with which types of unjust men have you made the mistake of connecting yourself? How are you developing trust in the Lord? By what mechanism are you assimilating and applying His Word in order to please Him?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Righteous for the unrighteous. For His sake, forgive us. By His grace, transform us. Make us the sort of people that it would be good for others to have as friends. And give us wisdom to choose Christlike people for our own friends, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH16A “Preserve Me, O My God”
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