◄ Proverbs 28:4 ►
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
Study Bible
Those who forsake the law
This phrase refers to individuals who abandon or neglect the divine commandments and teachings found in the Scriptures. The Hebrew word for "forsake" is "עזב" (azab), which implies a deliberate act of leaving behind or rejecting. In the historical context of ancient Israel, the "law" (Torah) was not merely a set of rules but a covenantal guide for living in relationship with God. Forsaking the law, therefore, signifies a turning away from God's covenant and His righteous standards, leading to moral and spiritual decline.

praise the wicked
The Hebrew word for "praise" is "הלל" (halal), which can mean to boast or celebrate. In this context, it suggests that those who abandon God's law end up endorsing or glorifying those who engage in evil deeds. This is a reflection of a moral inversion where good is called evil and evil good, a theme echoed throughout the Scriptures. Historically, this could be seen in periods of Israel's history where idolatry and injustice were rampant, and those who practiced such were celebrated.

but those who keep the law
The phrase "keep the law" uses the Hebrew word "שמר" (shamar), meaning to guard, observe, or give heed to. This implies a careful and intentional adherence to God's commandments. Keeping the law is not just about external compliance but involves a heart posture of reverence and commitment to God's will. In the biblical narrative, those who keep the law are often depicted as wise and blessed, enjoying God's favor and protection.

resist them
The word "resist" in Hebrew is "גרה" (garah), which can mean to contend with or oppose. This suggests an active stance against the wicked and their ways. In a conservative Christian perspective, this resistance is not merely physical but spiritual, involving standing firm in faith and truth against the moral decay and spiritual deception prevalent in the world. This aligns with the New Testament teachings of spiritual warfare and the call to be salt and light in a dark world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Law
Refers to the divine instructions given by God, primarily through the Mosaic Law, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil guidelines for living a life pleasing to God.

2. The Wicked
Individuals who live in opposition to God's commandments, often characterized by immoral and unjust behavior.

3. Those Who Forsake the Law
People who abandon or neglect God's commandments, leading to a lifestyle that aligns with wickedness.

4. Those Who Keep the Law
Individuals who adhere to God's commandments, striving to live righteously and resist evil influences.

5. Resistance
The act of opposing or standing against the influence and actions of the wicked, as a result of adhering to God's law.
Teaching Points
The Importance of God's Law
God's law serves as a moral compass, guiding believers in righteous living and helping them discern right from wrong.

Consequences of Forsaking the Law
Abandoning God's commandments leads to moral decay and alignment with wickedness, resulting in spiritual and societal harm.

The Role of the Righteous
Those who keep the law are called to actively resist evil, standing firm in their faith and influencing others towards righteousness.

Praise and Resistance
Our actions and attitudes reflect our allegiance; praising the wicked indicates a departure from God's law, while resisting them shows commitment to His commandments.

Community and Accountability
Believers are encouraged to surround themselves with a community that upholds God's law, providing support and accountability in resisting wickedness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of "forsaking the law" manifest in today's society, and what are some practical ways to guard against it?

2. In what ways can believers actively resist the influence of wickedness in their personal lives and communities?

3. How does keeping God's law help in discerning and resisting the subtle forms of wickedness that may not be immediately obvious?

4. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between aligning with God's law or conforming to societal pressures. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience?

5. How can the principles in Proverbs 28:4 be applied to strengthen the moral and spiritual fabric of a church community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 1
This passage contrasts the way of the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing the blessings of delighting in and meditating on God's law.

Romans 1:32
Highlights the approval of wickedness by those who reject God's truth, similar to the praise of the wicked by those who forsake the law.

James 4:7
Encourages believers to submit to God and resist the devil, paralleling the resistance to wickedness by those who keep the law.
Sermons
Canons of Moral TruthE. Johnson Proverbs 28:1-5
The Source of Disturbance and the Secret of SecurityW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:1, 13, 25
The Practice and Effect of Sin and RighteousnessW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:4, 5
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Contend, Evil-doer, Forsake, Forsaking, Keeping, Law, Plead, Praise, Resist, Respect, Strive, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:4

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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 Proverbs

The 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.
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H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

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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 …
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Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
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Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

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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,"
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Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

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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

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