He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good. He who leads the uprightThis phrase highlights the responsibility and influence one has over others, particularly those who are morally upright. The Hebrew root for "leads" (תעה, ta'ah) implies causing someone to wander or go astray. Historically, leaders and influencers in Israel were expected to guide people in righteousness, reflecting God's laws. The upright, or "yashar" in Hebrew, are those who live in accordance with God's commandments, embodying integrity and moral rectitude. along the path of evil
The "path of evil" signifies a way of life that is contrary to God's will. The Hebrew word for "evil" (רע, ra) encompasses wickedness, harm, and moral corruption. In ancient Israel, the path one chose was often seen as a reflection of their relationship with God. The imagery of a path suggests a journey or progression, indicating that leading someone into evil is not a single act but a continuous influence. will fall into his own pit
This phrase serves as a warning of divine justice. The "pit" (שחת, shachat) in Hebrew often refers to a trap or a grave, symbolizing destruction or downfall. The imagery suggests that those who seek to harm others by leading them astray will ultimately face their own ruin. This reflects the biblical principle of reaping what one sows, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. but the blameless
The "blameless" (תמים, tamim) are those who are complete, whole, and without moral defect. In the biblical context, being blameless is not about perfection but about living a life of integrity and faithfulness to God. The blameless are contrasted with those who lead others into evil, highlighting the rewards of righteousness. will inherit what is good
The concept of inheritance in the Bible often refers to receiving a blessing or reward from God. The Hebrew word for "inherit" (נחל, nachal) implies receiving something of lasting value. "What is good" (טוב, tov) encompasses all that is beneficial, pleasing, and in alignment with God's will. This promise assures the faithful that their integrity will lead to divine blessings, both in this life and the life to come. Persons / Places / Events 1. The UprightRefers to those who live righteously and follow God's commandments. In Hebrew, the word for "upright" is (yashar), meaning straight or right. 2. The Evil PathSymbolizes a way of life that is contrary to God's will, characterized by sin and moral corruption. 3. The PitRepresents the consequences of leading others astray, often seen as a trap or downfall for the wicked. 4. The BlamelessThose who maintain integrity and righteousness, often rewarded by God. The Hebrew word (tamim) means complete or perfect. 5. Inheritance of GoodThe reward or blessing that comes to those who live blamelessly, often seen as both spiritual and material prosperity. Teaching Points The Danger of Misleading OthersLeading others astray is a serious offense with severe consequences. We must be vigilant in our influence and guidance, ensuring it aligns with God's truth. The Principle of Reaping What You SowOur actions have consequences. Those who set traps for others will ultimately face their own downfall. This principle encourages us to live righteously and avoid deceit. The Reward for Righteous LivingThe blameless will inherit good things. This promise encourages us to maintain integrity and trust in God's justice and provision. Integrity in LeadershipWhether in family, church, or community, leaders must guide with righteousness. Our example can lead others to Christ or away from Him. Trust in God's JusticeEven when the wicked seem to prosper, trust that God will ultimately bring justice and reward the righteous. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we ensure that we are not leading others down an "evil path" in our daily interactions? 2. Reflect on a time when you witnessed someone "fall into their own pit." What lessons can be learned from that situation? 3. In what ways can we actively pursue being "blameless" in our walk with God? 4. How does the principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7-8) apply to the message of Proverbs 28:10? 5. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure our leadership and influence are aligned with God's will? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 7:15-16This passage speaks of the wicked falling into the pit they have made, reinforcing the idea of self-destruction for those who lead others astray. Matthew 15:14Jesus warns about the blind leading the blind, which connects to the idea of leading others down a wrong path resulting in mutual destruction. Galatians 6:7-8Paul discusses the principle of sowing and reaping, which aligns with the consequences of leading others into sin. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Along, Anyone, Astray, Blameless, Causes, Causeth, Causing, Err, Evil, Fall, Goodly, Heritage, Hole, Inherit, Inheritance, Leads, Misleads, Path, Perfect, Pit, Possession, Receive, Righteous, Trap, Upright, Wandering, Whole-heartedDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 28:10 5493 retribution
5589 trap
5705 inheritance, spiritual
8707 apostasy, personal Library Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsThe Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh "If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life "And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 28:10 NIVProverbs 28:10 NLTProverbs 28:10 ESVProverbs 28:10 NASBProverbs 28:10 KJV
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