What Does Proverbs Say For Today Part 12

 

What Does Proverbs Say For Today Part 12

 

Gifts and Bribes

 

¹ Bribe = n. money or other reward offered as inducement to betray a trust.

 

“He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; wherever he turns, he prospers. A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back (under cover, Lit. from the bosom) to pervert the ways of justice. A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe behind the back (under cover, Lit. in the bosom), strong wrath. The king establishes the land by justice, but he who receives bribes overthrows it.” (Proverbs 15:27; 17:8, 18:16; 23; 21:14; 29:4)

 

Bribes given and taken are only for evil. Exodus 23:8 says, “And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.”

 

Genesis 32:1-23 tells the story of Jacob appeasing his brother Esau’s anger towards him by sending his possessions ahead of him as gifts for Esau. Gifts should be a blessing for both the giver and the receiver but not given out of fear or to manipulate a situation. Esau being a hard man that did not fear GOD did the righteous thing by not accepting the gifts his brother offered.

The giving of a gift (bribe) to ease someone’s anger may seem like a good thing at the time but it does not actually heal the hurt or wound of the offended person. The gift may cause the person to be even more hurt or offended and result is a bigger problem. Confession and repentance is the only way to resolve offenses, repentance also includes restitution and may include some act of contrition. “People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; he may have to give up all the substance of his house. Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul. Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away. For jealousy is a husband’s fury; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will accept no recompense, nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.” Proverbs 6:30-35

 

Bribery is immoral in every society and civilization.