PROVERBS 28
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 If one is burdened with the blood of another,
he will be a fugitive until death;
let no one help him. – Proverbs 28:13-17
PROVERBS 28 WHEN SINS ARE HIDDEN
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
If you fear the Lord, you will no longer hide your sins
You will confess and admit that it is God you displeased
But if you do not revere the Lord, your sins will be hidden
You will constantly avoid taking responsibility for your sins
As you continue to run from the truth that you’ve disobeyed
You will find it hard to resist doing what the devil says
And you will begin to follow and believe all his lies
Then you will be stuck in that pit of darkness.
In this wise saying, Solomon gives the young men advice as to how to succeed and progress in life. In verse 13, Solomon gives them advice on how to obtain mercy from God. It is to confess their sins. When they hide their sins, prosperity and forgiveness will evade them. It is human nature to hide sins. It is the consequence of Adam and Eve’s fall. In Genesis 3:8-11, we witness the aftermath of sin. When they disobeyed God, they realized they were naked and then they were ashamed of what they have done and hid. Their sin altered their view of God and they began to see themselves as dirty to be in the presence of God. Before the fall, they were innocent and pure but the fall changed that perspective. Shame came into life. Hebrews 4:13 says that no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. So, after the fall, God expects man to admit his sin and give an account of what they have done.
An example in the Old Testament speaks to the danger of trying to hide one’s sins. According to bibleref.com “in Joshua 7, Achan violated God’s command not to take spoils from Jericho. He confiscated a cloak, silver, and gold, and buried them in his tent. However, the stolen items and his sin were not hidden from the Lord. Achan did not prosper. He was executed for his sin, and therefore did not inherit a single grain of sand in the Promised Land.”
REFLECTION
· What are some of the other outcomes of someone who hides his/her sins from the Lord?
