Proverbs 21:28

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about truth:

Proverbs 21:28 (ESV)

A false witness will perish,

but the word of a man who hears will endure.

In Proverbs 19:5 and Proverbs 19:9 we have already been told by Solomon of the fate of those who give a false report about something.  

Proverbs 19:5 (ESV Strong's)

A false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

Proverbs 19:9 (ESV Strong's)

A false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who breathes out lies will perish.

In those two matching proverbs we are told that a false witness will perish.   That makes Proverbs 21:28 a third proverb where we are admonished to avoid negative reports based upon untruth.   God is a God of truth.  Jesus stated that He was the truth (John 14:6).   However, in the above proverb we also have the antithesis of the first line:  The one who speaks truth, because he took time to hear truth, will speak forever.  Or, the one who hears truthful words and speaks truthful words, as one commentator said, "gets the last word."  Those who speak about truth will find their opportunities to speak more truth.   Those who speak lies will find that they will get less opportunities to speak untruth.    Think here of Daniel.  He was able to serve four kings while in captivity.   Those wizards and wise men who spoke lies were killed and replaced.   Joseph was allowed to speak truth to his family, an Egyptian lord, a warden of a jail, two men of the royal service court and Pharaoh himself.   Those who tell truth will get the last word.