28. Shall fall. It was an amazement to the disciples when Christ said that it was hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom (Mark 10:24-26). The Hebrews regarded riches as a sure sign of the blessing of God, a mark of firm establishment in the world. But riches often become a snare. Instead of feeling his need of the Holy Spirit, instead of sharing his prosperity with others, the rich man often feels that he must protect his position by continually adding to his property and resources (see 1 Tim. 6:17). Even though he goes to his grave with the honor of men, leaving behind him great wealth, to the Lord he is a poor shriveled leaf that has fallen down to the ground.
Branch. Literally, “leaf.” The righteous are compared to green leaves, but the wicked are likened to falling autumn leaves.