Proverbs 28:15 says, As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.  A wicked ruler is just as dangerous to those that they rule over as a roaring lion or a ranging bear.  Verse sixteen states, The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.  Wanteth means lacking understanding.  Rulers who lack understanding will allow their coveteousness to influence their decisions.  They will do what is best for them and not what is best for those that they rule over.  Verse seventeen declares, A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.  This is a warning against murdering someone.  A murderer should pay for murdering someone, and we are not to help someone who commits murder get away with it.  Verse eighteen proclaims, Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.  We could interpret this to mean that we can be saved by our own goodness, or walking uprightly, but I believe that it means walking under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  If we do not accept Christ and follow God's guidance, we will certainly fall when judgment comes.  Verse nineteen says, He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.  We are to do honest work if we are to have enough bread to eat.  Following after the get rich schemes of others will only lead to our poverty.  Verse twenty states,  A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.  I believe that this is simply another way of saying that we should be honest in our dealings with others.  If we are, we will abound in the blessings of God.  Verse twenty-one declares,  To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.  We are to treat all people with fairness, no matter who they may be.  Our judgment or treatment of others should never be able to be bought.  Verse twenty-two states, He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.  This is another warning against get rich quick schemes, no matter how appealing they may seem.  Some people will seemingly do anything to get rich, and those riches will always be but temporary.  Verse twenty-three says, He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.  It is better for us to rebuke someone who is guilty of sin than it is for us to flatter them.   Even if people are rich and powerful that does not mean that we are to always to speak of them with admiration.  Of course, this applies to all people, no matter their status in life, but we tend to flatter the rich more than the poor.  Verse twenty-four warns, Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.  We cannot just take what belongs to our parents without their permission and claim that it is okay.  We hear too often about people stealing from or even abusing their parents, and this is never acceptable.  Verse twenty-five declares, He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.  Self-pride leads people to stir up strife, or create problems for those around them.  Those filled with self pride care only about what is best for them.  When we put our faith in God, we will be made fat spiritually, even if we are poor in the eyes of the world.  Verse twenty-six proclaims, He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.  If we are to walk with wisdom, we must follow God's leadership at all times.  If we attempt to rely on our own heart, or understanding, we will never prosper spiritually.  Verse twenty-seven says, He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.  Once more, we as followers of Christ are called on to help the poor.  We are never to just overlook them and pretend they don't exist.  Verse twenty-eight states, When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.  If wicked people are in power, those who follow God may be in danger.  In some parts of the world today, it is dangerous to openly declare oneself to be a Christian.  If these people fall out of power, then it is easier for those who follow God to prosper.  I cannot say when it is right for a Christian to hide their faith, but I am certain that God will let us know.

Proverbs 28:1 says, The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.  The wicked have a guilty conscience, making them think that someone is always after them.  Verse two states, For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.  The world is full of leaders who deny God, and the world suffers for it.  We, as followers of Christ, should be people of knowledge and understanding and stand up against the evil in the world.  Verse three declares, A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.  Poor people too often look down on other poor people.  Even if we are poor materially, as followers of Christ we are rich in His blessings and are called on to share with others as much as we can.  Verse four says, They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.  People who break the law tend to praise others who do so as well.  If we keep the law, especially God's law, we will always stand against evil, even if that evil is done under the pretence of following God's will.  Verse five states, Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.  As followers of Christ, we must understand that this judgment of God is coming, if not in this world, then in the everlasting world to come.  Evil people, those who deny God, also deny that judgment will one day come.  The only way that we can stand redeemed before God is by accepting Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  Verse six proclaims, Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.  We are better of poor and under the Lordship of Christ than we are rich in material things without a right relationship with God.  Our relationship with God is all that is everlasting.  Verse seven says, Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.  We can apply this to our earthly fathers, but it is especially true of our heavenly Father.  Obeying the law should always make our earthly father proud, but it will definitely make our heavenly Father proud of us.  Verse eight states, He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.  Matthew Henry says this means that those things gained by dishonest means will not last, and that at some point they may be used to help the poor.  This would mean someone who follows God's will who inherits things that have been attained through dishonest means should use those things to help the poor.  Verse nine declares, He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.  We cannot ignore the law, especially God's law, and then expect Him to hear our prayers.  If we expect God to hear our prayers, we must come to Him in honesty and humility.  Verse ten states, Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.  This is a warning against leading the righteous, those who follow God, astray.  If someone does this, that person is setting up their own fall.  Verse eleven says, The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.  Some people equate riches with being wise, but even the poor should realize that true wisdom comes only from God.  Verse twelve states, When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.   When the righteous, those who follow God, rule, a nation prospers for all the people.  This doesn't mean that the nation is rich materially necessarily, but that that there is peace and security in the land.  When the wicked rule, the righteous man is hidden.  Verse thirteen declares, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.  Even as followers of Christ, if we sin, we must still confess our sins to God.  We cannot just claim that they don't matter because we are already forgiven through the sacrifice of Christ.  Verse fourteen adds, Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.  Once more, this fear means having an awesome respect for God.  It is not to be a sometime thing, but a continual one.

Proverbs 27:15 says, A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.  Just as the dripping of rain can become annoying, so can a woman who is contentious, or disagreeable.  Of course, the same can be said of a man who is contentious.  Verse sixteen adds, Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.  A person would be wise to hide a contentious spouse, but it is as impossible to do as hiding the wind would be.  Contentious people will make themselves known, whether anyone attempts to keep them from doing so or not.  Verse seventeen states, Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.  If used the right way, iron can sharpen iron.  If our friendship is true, it can help sharpen the well being of that friend.  We will always want what is best for them.  Verse eighteen declares, Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.  I believe this is a call for us to be diligent in our work and our relationship to others, especially those in power over us.  We are to bring glory to God by our actions and attitude.  Verse nineteen declares, As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.  When we look into water and see our reflection, it can only be a reflection of what we look like.  When we deal with others, it will likewise be a reflection of what is in our heart, or innermost being.  Verse twenty says, Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.  Just as there is not just a certain number of people who can be saved, there is not a set number of people who cannot be saved.  When our lusts and desires cannot be satisfied by what God has blessed us with, then we may be on our way to adding to the number of people in hell.  Verse twenty-one states, As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.  Just as refining brings out silver and gold, so does praise bring out the true character of a person.  We can either accept the praise with humility giving the honor to God, or we can allow it to make us vain.  As followers of Christ, we should always live so that He is glorified and not us.  Verse twenty-two says, Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.  This tells us that even if he were ground down to nothing, the fool will not accept the truth of God.  We cannot beat the devil out of someone who will not accept the gospel of Christ.  Verse twenty-three declares Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.  We may not have flocks or herds, but we do have jobs and a calling from God.  We are to be diligent in doing what we are called and employed to do.  Verse twenty-four states, For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?  When we die or Christ returns, we will leave everything behind.  Even before then, we may lose all that we own, because riches really are only temporary.  Ruling families do not rule forever.  We can look at the Russian czars for example to see this.  Verse twenty-five says, The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.  I believe this means that the earth will produce the food that we need in its season.  Verse twenty-six continues, The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.  Not only does God provide a way for us to eat, but He provides a way to clothe us as well.  Verse twenty-seven concludes, And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.  God will meet our needs, and the needs of those who rely on us, if we will only be obedient to Him.  God expects us to faithfully do what He calls us to do, and then He will provide for all our needs.

Proverbs 27:1 says, Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.  We cannot live for tomorrow.  We may have great plans, but we cannot even be certain that we will be alive tomorrow.  Verse two states, Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.  Some people love to tell everyone how great they are, but we are advised to not do this.  Bragging on one's self is never a characteristic that followers of Christ should have.  Verse three declares, A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.  We can easily see that carrying around sand or a stone would weigh us down.  Just as easily, we should understand that the wrath of a fool will do the same.  When a fool feels threatened, he or she will lash out at those whom he or she feels threatened by.  Verse four says, Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?  When people are envious of others, that is when they are the most dangerous.  When driven by envy, people will never be concerned about what is best for the one they are envious of.  Verse five proclaims, Open rebuke is better than secret love.  Matthew Henry says this means that it is better if our friends rebuke our sins publicly than it is for them to remain silent about them out of love.  We should expect our friends to point out our sins out of love and not to just ignore them.  Verse six says, Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.  I believe that this means that when a friend wounds us by pointing out our faults that we know they do so out of love, but enemies will often flatter us even as they seek to harm us.  We should be truthful in our relationships with others, always looking for what is best for them.  Verse seven states, The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.  I believe this means that someone who has plenty to eat doesn't find even good food particularly appealing, while a hungry person finds almost anything edible to be good.  Verse eight declares, As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.  I don't believe that this means that we are never to leave where we currently live, but that we are to have a safe place to reside.  Matthew Henry says that it means that we are to be satisfied with where God calls us to be.  Paul travelled continually when he was free to do so, but he did so at God's direction.  Verse nine states, Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.  We should value the wise counsel of a friend as much as we do someone who smells nice, which I believe means that we should look beyond just  what is physically appealing and look to what is spiritually good for us.  Verse ten says, Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.  We should be able to rely on our friends who are close to us in times of need or trouble, and they should be able to rely on us as well.  Sometimes, relying on family, especially if we aren't close to them, can create more problems than relying on a friend does, though this should not be true.  Verse eleven declares, My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.  We are to be wise, or acknowledge God, the source of all true wisdom.  If we are, then our parents can be glad in their hearts, if they believe in God.  Verse twelve states, A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.  We should be prudent, or wise, enough to see evil where it exists and avoid it.  I believe that if we are living under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, then we will always be able to see evil wherever it exists.  Verse thirteen proclaims,  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger,  and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.  This is a warning against being reckless in lending to others without security for the loan.  I don't believe this means that we shouldn't help a person in need, but that we shouldn't lend them money for every scheme they have.  Verse fourteen says, He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.  I believe that this means that a person is not to loudly and continually praise someone who has helped him or her.  We should thank them, but we should not continually praise them, especially if we are doing so only in the hope of getting them to do so again.

Proverbs 26:15 says, The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.  The slothful, or lazy man, hates to have to even raise his hand to feed himself.  God expects His people to be at work sharing His love in the world.  Verse sixteen states, The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.  This sluggard will not listen to the wisdom of seven, or a group, of men, because he believes that he is smarter than they are.  Some people simply refuse to listen to reason, or the truth of God.  We cannot afford to be slothful in our relationship to God.  Verse seventeen declares, He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.  If we meddle in affairs that don't really concern us, we may be hurt.  This doesn't mean that we are to totally withdraw from the world, but that at times we are better off to let others settle their disputes.  Verse eighteen says, As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death   Verse nineteen continues, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?  These two verses tell us that a person who deceives his neighbor, and then brags about it, is just as dangerous as a mad man throwing firebrands or shooting arrows at someone.  Verse twenty states, Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.  Just as a fire without wood goes out, so does strife caused by tale bearing or gossip if it is not repeated.  As followers of Christ, we should never add fuel to the fire of discord by gossiping.  Verse twenty-one adds, As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.  Those who don't want to agree with anybody just add fuel to the fire of contention.  They love controversy.  Verse twenty-two says, The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.  This is a continuation of the warning about the problems caused by the tale bearer.  They cause deep wounds for those they are speaking against.  Verse twenty-three states, Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.  Burning lips, or those that cannot wait to tell tales,  when driven by a wicked heart, are just as deceptive as a clay jar covered with the dross of silver.  Though such a vessel may look good on the outside, it is really not worth very much.  Verse twenty-four says, He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;  Then verse twenty-five continues, When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.  We should never put much faith in what a person who continually puts others down says.  Even if the do speak fair words, we cannot trust what they say because their hearts are not right with God.  Verse twenty-six adds, Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.  Though a people may attempt to hide their evil hearts, when confronted with the truth, their true nature will be revealed.  As followers of Christ, we should never be guilty of speaking badly about another person just because we don't agree with that person.  Verse twenty-seven states, Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.  When we attempt to trap others, we set ourselves up to fall into our own trap.  Verse twenty-eight declares, A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.  Those who tell lies about others hate the ones they lie about.  When we love others as God commands us to do, we will not tell, nor even repeat, lies about them.  We will always seek what is best for others.

Proverbs 26:1 says, As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.  Snow in the summer is rare and rain can ruin a harvest, and honoring a fool, or a person who denies God, should be viewed the same way.  Verse two states, As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.  Matthew Henry says this refers to giving into passion and cursing someone without reason.  Not that we should ever curse anyone, but doing so simply because someone has done something we do like is especially bad.  Verse three says, A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.  Just as a horse or an ass is hard to control, so is the fool.  The fool will not be controlled easily.  Verse four declares, Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.  When a fool is speaking foolishly, we must be careful that we don't just answer with our opinion.  We must rely on God's guidance, even in whether we answer or not.  Verse five states, Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.  I believe that this means we are to point out the folly of what those who deny God say.  Again, this does not mean that we are simply to argue with them, but are to speak under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Verse six says, He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.  I believe this basically means that a fool cannot be trusted to carry a message truthfully or faithfully.  Verse seven declares, The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.  It is obvious when someone is lame, and likewise should be obvious that we should not expect a fool to understand or declare the message of God.  Verse eight says, As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.  Just as a stone in a sling can be dangerous, so can giving honor to someone who denies God, or is a fool.  Verse nine says, As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.  Just as those who are drunk can injure themselves easily, so can God's word be damaged when used by the fool.  Those who deny God often attempt to ridicule His word to justify themselves.  Verse ten declares, The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.  This is not a reward that we want.  One day, God Who knows all will reward fools and transgressors, or sinners, with everlasting punishment.  Verse eleven says, As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.  This is a very disgusting habit of dogs, and just as disgusting to God are the actions of the fool.  Yet, for the dog it seems normal, and so do the actions of a fool to him or her self.  Verse twelve proclaims, Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.  This is a warning about believing that we are better than others.  Those who are full of egotism instead of acknowledging that God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge are worse than the fool.  Verse thirteen states, The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.  Instead of taking action to deal with the problem if there were a lion in the street, the lazy man simply says there is a lion, or problem, instead of dealing with it.  Verse fourteen declares, As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.  I believe that this means that just as a door swings back and forth without really going anywhere, so does a slothful man lay in his bed without accomplishing anything.

Proverbs 25:16 says, Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.  Just because we find honey, or any other good food, doesn't mean that we are to over indulge in it.  As followers of Christ, we should always act in moderation in all things material, though I don't believe we can ever over indulge in the spiritual aspects of life.  Verse seventeen says, Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.  I believe this would be another way of saying that we shouldn't overstay our welcome.  We should never become a nuisance to our neighbors.  Verse eighteen declares, A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.  Bearing false witness against a neighbor, or anyone for that matter, is just as deadly as using some weapon against them, and as followers of Christ we are to never be guilty of this.  In this day of lies and false information being shared by social media, we must make sure that what we share is true.  Verse nineteen states, Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.  We need to be careful who we put our faith in.  If we put our faith in the wrong person, and then trouble comes, we will find ourselves without help.  Verse twenty says, As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.  Matthew Henry says this refers to attempting to simply bring joy to a person who is grieving instead of emphasizing with them.  Verse twenty-one proclaims, If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:  We are not to desire for our enemies to go hungry and thirsty.  Once again, this goes against what the world teaches today, which is that we should want our enemies to suffer as much as possible.  God holds His people to a higher standard, which calls for us to love our enemies.  Verse twenty-two adds, For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.  Being kind to our enemies will be as coals heaped on their heads from their point of view, but will be reward by God.  Verse twenty-three states, The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.  Matthew Henry says this means that we are to show our displeasure at those who back bite, or speak ill of others.  By doing so, we may stop them from continuing to do so.  Verse twenty-four says, It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.  This idea of being better off alone than with a brawling spouse has been stated earlier.  Verse twenty-five declares, As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.  As an Ann Murray song stated, we sure could use a little good news today.  We as followers of Christ have the good news of the gospel to share with others, but we often share the bad things of the world more quickly.  Verse twenty-six says, A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.  Matthew Henry says that this can mean that it is wrong for the righteous to fall into sin before the wicked.  It can also mean that it is wrong for the righteous to be abused by the wicked, and even more so for the righteous to fall in fear before the wicked.  We must stand firm in our faith.  Verse twenty-seven states,  It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.   Just like honey, which is good and good for us, should never be eaten in too great of a quantity or it will make us sick, so it is with self glory.  True glory brings honor to God and not to an individual.  Verse twenty-eight proclaims, He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.  If we cannot control our spirit, or our relationship with God, we are without any defence when we face the evil in the world. We must submit ourselves spiritually to God to have His everlasting protection.