Proverbs 28:10-14

Proverbs 28:10-14
​English Standard Version
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
    will fall into his own pit,
    but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
    but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
    but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
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.

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We have seen over and over again that Proverbs says that the one that sets traps for God's people will themselves fall into those traps they have set.  The evil they plan for others will return to their own heads.  However, the one who is blameless will be defended by the LORD and has an imperishable inheritance to look forward to that the wicked will have no part in.

Those who are rich often think money is the answer to everything.  If they don't have the answer, they can throw enough money at someone to fix the problem for them.  This is the "wisdom" of the world.  However, there are many problems that only God can fix, and the poor person who has this understanding will be better off in the day of the LORD when He brings blessings to those who belong to Him and judgment for those who have rebelled against Him.  Not all poor people have submitted to God, and not all rich people are rebels to God, but typically a rich man worships money and stuff, and it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

We like stories where the "good guys" win.  That is what verse 12 says.  "When the righteous triumph, there is great glory."  Likewise, we know the story has gone terribly wrong when the "bad guys" are winning.  "When the wicked rise, people hide themselves."  Even the world knows they are better off with godly leaders than with wicked leaders.

The LORD says that it is the nature of the wicked man to try to conceal and hide his sin in darkness so that others do not see it, but the man of God confesses his sin and brings it into the Light so that it can be dealt with.  The one who confesses, repents, and forsakes his sin will obtain grace, mercy, and forgiveness from the LORD.

We are to fear the LORD always (to show Him reverence and obey Him, and, yes, those who are wicked are right to fear His judgment too, however, it should lead them to repentance).  The one who hardens his heart when the LORD convicts Him of sin will be making things worse for himself when the LORD has to use even greater calamity to get that person's attention.