Proverbial Wisdom: A Wise Leader

 Read Proverbs 29

This Proverb is very fitting for the time that we have at hand.  In just a handful of days, we in the US will have elected a new President to lead this country.  Many ask if the Bible says anything about who we choose as President.  It does.  It says a lot about rulers and leaders.  This Proverb is rich in it.  Does that mean that it does not have anything practical for us as well?  Absolutely not!  It’s rich in wisdom for us because we must remember that we too are leaders in different capacities.  Rather we lead from home or if we lead in our jobs, we are always leading somewhere.

 

Verse 1:  The stubborn one  is corrected for his error, but he doesn’t listen, humble himself, or change his ways.  Even after a great deal of correction, teaching, and training, he continues to do evil and to go his own way.  The wages of sin is death, and eternal hell awaits those who harden themselves in their sin.  Eventually, there will no longer be any chance for repentance, for time will have run out as judgment will have begun (see also Romans 1:24, 26, 28). 

Verse 2:  This has played out and is obvious in history.  Even when we read about the kings of Israel we see a vicious roller coaster history of wicked kings bringing ruin and wise, God honoring rulers bringing times of prosperity.  A wicked ruler can be bought off, he will show favoritism, he will oppress, and he will not uphold justice.  This is not a safe or joy-filled existence for those under his rule, but it is a reason to groan.  A ruler that honors God though will submit to God and reap the blessings of God.  The same is when we lead in any capacity.  We should give glory to God in all things.

Verse 3:  A son who grows up loving wisdom and who chooses to order his life based upon the commands of God is a joy to a parent who loves the Lord and His ways.  What happens when we sin?  We need to be honest about this and ask ourselves this question every time we are tempted.  Think about the times when you have sunk into sin.  What happened?  I guarantee that something was destroyed.  Rather it be your peace, a relationship, a friendship, or any number of things, sin always destroys.  We should never hang with the harlot of sin.  We should always be in the fellowship of the Bridegroom.

Verse 4:  An unjust ruler will lead to a loss of trust from his people and a prevalence of corruption and oppression, thereby destabilizing a land and his kingship.  Justice will help a kingdom endure, and it will lead to peace and stability.

Verse 5:  Flattery is not a true compliment, for it is self-seeking in nature and without the best interests of others in mind.  It may even be part of a scheme to trick, trap, use, and exploit a person for one’s own evil agenda.  It is better to keep company with those who will speak the truth even if it means that one has to change than to be lied to by those who will say anything to protect themselves and preserve their own welfare.

 

Verse 7:  Part of upholding justice is making sure that the poor are not treated unfairly.  The wicked person adores the high and noble of this world, and he looks down upon those who are of little repute, of low status, and with little money.  The wicked don’t understand why they should bother to care, and they are confused by people who do.  They see nothing in such sacrificial and selfless acts for themselves, and they think it is foolish to look out for others ahead of themselves.  They enjoy when justice favors them, and they prefer to waste their resources on sinful practices than to give it to those in need.

Verse 8:  People who show others extreme disrespect and taunt and insult them provoke them to anger.  The result of this antithesis of kindness, peace, love, and grace is fighting, animosity, and even war.  Wisdom doesn’t get provoked so easily, and it seeks out peace.  Some conflicts cannot be prevented because self-defense may become necessary and the rights of the innocent may need to be fought for, but wisdom is always looking for peace gently and without an eagerness to fight.

Verse 9:  A fool is only interested in nonsense, division, ruin, animosity, and his own selfish feelings, gain, and agenda.  He is not interested in coming to a reasoned solution, and he only further provokes a righteous person along the way.  There can be no peace or rest when a fool isn’t actually interested in peace, rest, or actual problem-solving.  Have you ever dealt with anyone like this?  Someone who will continue to argue no matter how many times you provide facts or even try to end an argument by conceding that they are right.

Verse 10:  Again, this chapter is so fitting for the time that we are in today and the decision that will be made in just a matter of days. Righteous people value human life from conception to death, but wicked people are more concerned about money and power than about human dignity.  The wicked enjoy violence and bloodshed, for they do not think of the souls of those whom they seek to harm.  There is no fear of God in their hearts to restrain them from killing even if only for a loaf of bread.  We are to value human life.  We are not to look at it as a commodity or a choice.  There is only one choice for life,  and that is to live.

Verse 11:  A wise person can feel angry and yet not lash out at others.   He can trust God to help him be peaceful, to walk away when necessary, and to speak gently and graciously even when provoked.  He knows that God will avenge wrongs suffered.  He is able to control himself and his words and responses because he wants to honor God and be a testimony of love rather than of a personal vendetta of hate.   

Verse 12:  When wicked people see that a ruler can be bought, that he will listen to terrible advice without calling it terrible, and that he is willing to bend the rules a little for appearance’s sake, then the whole culture of his servants and advisers tends to get corrupted.  Good people don’t want to work for a person who is corrupt and who requires them to lie, but a wicked ruler will attract people who enjoy scheming and twisting things.   

 

Verse 13:  God has made both the poor and the one who oppresses the poor, yet too often the wicked treat the poor unjustly and unfavorably as if they are less valuable.  But God made them both and loves them both, and those who fear Him and think through the world from His perspective will recognize that it is abominable to discriminate and treat the poor unfairly.  

Verse 14:  This verse essentially combines what was previously said in verses 4 and 7 by emphasizing that a king can rule and pass on a kingdom of peace and stability if he is just and fair to everybody, including the poor. 

 

Verse 15:  Contrary to what the world says, there is no glory in letting a child follow the sinful and rebellious instincts of his heart and call it imagination, exploration, or creativity.  It will not harm a child’s self-worth by disciplining him, but it will actually help him grow in wisdom and make better decisions.  Walking in wisdom is a path of greater usefulness, creativity, and blessing to others, and in Jesus alone can one’s identity and worth be realized (Galatians 2:20).  Parents who do not train their children to obey should be ashamed of themselves, and children who do not obey shame their parents.  God has given them a command to obey their parents in the Lord, for this is right (Ephesians 6:1).  This is a blessing and honor to parents, and it pleases the Lord as well. 

Verse 16:  Wicked leaders lead to wicked advisers and servants and to wickedness propagating throughout an entire kingdom.  When sin is glorified, it increases, and, when it is tolerated and even celebrated, it is practiced all the more.  The righteous will one day see the wicked pay for their sins, and the righteous will inherit eternal life. 

Verse 17:  This verse emphasizes that discipline is a good, healthy thing that demonstrates love and security to children.  It will teach them to be respectful and to obey parents and God, and this will bring joy and peace to a home and to a family.  When children are not trained to obey or given teaching as to what God wants of them, their sin nature will carry them into all sorts of rebellious and selfish behavior.  The result will be misery for all around them, but those who train their children faithfully and lovingly can expect to see good.

 

Verse 20:  Wisdom thinks through what one will say before the words come out, and it takes the thoughts and puts them through the filter of God’s Word.  Those who are quick to run their mouths without thinking reveal a heart attitude that is antagonistic to truth and the fear of God.  A naïve person who lacks knowledge has a better chance of coming to saving faith in Christ than a person who is proud to be a scoffer and a mocker and who refuses to think deeply about the world.

 

Verse 22:  Those with a hot and quick temper will find that their lives abound in all kinds of evil and sin because being led by unrighteous anger is being led by the devil’s impulses. 

Verse 23:  Those who are prideful and arrogant may be successful in worldly terms in this life, but they will be brought low before the throne of God for refusing to have humbled themselves and repented of their sin.  Those who do bow the knee to Jesus now will be exalted later, but those who shake their fists at God in rejection, spite, and anger now will, on account of their arrogance and self-glory, be given the ultimate dishonor of eternity in hell.  Humility pleases God in the life of the Christian, and God will use those who are contrite and who tremble at His Word. 

Verse 25:  Those who live seeking the approval of people will struggle to love the Lord above all and with all of their hearts.  No one can serve two masters, and those who live fearing man and what people might do to them will find that their fear keeps them from seeking, obeying, and trusting God like they should.  Those who refuse to fear man and instead keep obeying God by faith can expect to receive honor from God in due time.  Being bold and courageous is the call of the Christian.  As Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

Verse 26:  People in general enjoy trying to get an inside track with people in positions of power.  They like to grease palms, give gifts, and flatter rulers in order to get favorable treatment.  The reality of life on earth is that people make mistakes in judgment, and justice too often gets perverted.  But God will judge the world in righteousness, rendering to each according to his due.  He will vindicate the righteous and punish the wicked.  All that was unfair on earth will be made right before the Almighty Who sees all and knows all.

Verse 27:  A righteous person should abhor what is evil and cling to what is pure (Romans 12:9).  Love rejoices with the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6), but evil people reject truth, hate Jesus, and hate those who love Him (John 15:18).  This doesn’t mean that Christians should hate sinners, but they should hate everything that they stand for, practice, and represent.  We need to remember to hate the sin but not the sinner.