Proverbs 28 · a question people ask
The law comes four times in 28:4-9. Is it the law of Moses?
The chapter doesn't say whose law it means. Law in 28:4, 28:7 and 28:9 is torah (tap law), and the book has used the word for more than one teaching: a mother's, "don’t forsake your mother’s teaching" (Proverbs 1:8); the teaching of the voice that says "My son" (Proverbs 3:1); a father's, "Don’t forsake my law" (Proverbs 4:2), with the verb and noun of 28:4's forsake the law; and the teaching of the wise: "The teaching of the wise is a spring of life" (Proverbs 13:14). In chapter 28 it has no owner: "Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them" (28:4), "Whoever keeps the law is a wise son" (28:7), and "He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination" (28:9). The next chapter has it once more: "one who keeps the law is blessed" (Proverbs 29:18). Among these sayings, 28:5 speaks of the LORD: "those who seek the LORD understand it fully" (28:5). The chapter says no more about whose law it is, and these notes don't decide. On 28:9, the notes on Proverbs 15 set it beside 15:8 and 15:29. These notes add only that the verse speaks of one who turns his ear away from hearing, and they apply it to no one's prayers today.
The verses
“Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them. Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.”
“Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.”
“He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.”
“My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;”