Proverbs

Proverbs 29: The LORD gives true safety

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the snare of fearing people, let us turn our hearts to the LORD. Ask Him for courage to trust Him, receive correction and care for justice.

But the midwives feared God, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.

Exodus 1:17

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Free us from the pride that refuses reproof and the fear that follows people into sin. Show us Jesus and teach us the safety of trusting You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Stubborn refusal of repeated rebuke ends in sudden destruction with no remedy. Righteous rule makes people rejoice, while bribery, lies and wicked rulers bring groaning and instability. Wise people care about justice for the poor and govern anger that fools let loose. The rod of correction gives wisdom, while a child left to himself shames his mother. Without God’s revelation people cast off restraint, and a servant may understand correction yet refuse to respond. Pride brings a person low, partnership with a thief endangers the soul and fear of people becomes a snare. Justice comes from the LORD, and the one who trusts Him is kept safe.

As you read Proverbs 29, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD gives justice and safety, while fear of people and stubborn pride become snares.

The fear of people makes their approval or anger seem more important than faithfulness to God. Such fear can trap a person into silence, deceit or joining a thief. Seeking a ruler’s favor cannot replace the justice that comes from the LORD. The ruler himself needs truth, because listening to lies corrupts the officials around him. Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint, but the one who keeps the law is blessed (verse 18). Parents must also correct children for their good, governing their own temper and refusing angry or harmful treatment. The servant who understands yet refuses to respond shows why hearing words and submitting to them are different. Wisdom receives correction before stubbornness reaches the warning of destruction without remedy.

How does Proverbs 29 show us that the LORD gives justice and safety, while fear of people and stubborn pride become snares?

The LORD gives justice beyond the favor of rulers.

People seek a ruler’s face, yet their justice comes from God. A ruler who listens to lies harms the land he should establish. Wise judgment attends to the poor and refuses bribes.

Trust in the LORD answers the fear that traps us.

The fear of people proves to be a snare. Trust in the LORD gives safety that human approval cannot provide. Humility receives correction, while stubborn pride brings a person low.

Memorise

The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.

Proverbs 29:25

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, whose approval am I fearing more than I trust Jesus?

“The fear of man proves to be a snare.” We can choose approval, conceal truth and join wrongdoing because we are afraid of people. God sees the guilt behind that fear.

Jesus gave Himself to save His people from sin. At the cross He endured their condemnation and died for them. He rose again, breaking the power of death. His work is finished and fully sufficient to reconcile every sinner who trusts Him to God.

Turn from sin and rest your faith in Jesus Christ. In Him, those who believe have peace with God and the forgiveness of their sins. Bring Him the fear that has ruled your choices. Ask Him for humble courage to hear His Word and do what is right.

Parent's note

Tell your children that fear of losing approval can trap them into sin, while trust belongs in the LORD. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for justice beyond human favor and safety in trusting Him. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

Lord, thank You that justice comes from You. Please bring us to Jesus for forgiveness when fear of people has led us into sin. Give us courage to speak truth and humility to receive correction. Help our family care for the poor and govern anger with patient love. Amen.