Saturday, December 7, 2013

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 14:32-35


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

The Pursuit Of The Wise: Ruling Others Well (Part 2): Proverbs 14:32-35
32) The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33) Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of fools is made known.
34) Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people.
35) The king's favour [is] toward a wise servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.


EXPOSITION:
A wise man recognizes his need to exercise his authority over others with love and a desire to honor Christ…

32) The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
1.  Those whose rule goes against the principles of God will end up being despised and rejected by his subjects.  This is an indication of a lost condition and future rejection by the Lord.
2.  A rule that is in alignment with the desires of the Lord, is an outward evidence of salvation and a motive for hope of an afterlife lived in the presence of the Lord.

How a man rules over others will dictate his acceptance by his subjects and an indication of his current spiritual condition and future standing before the Lord.

And this [is] the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.  This [is] the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.  PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.  Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and [put] a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.  In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.   (Daniel 5:25-30)

Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!  That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!  For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:  And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body], yet in my flesh shall I see God:  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; [though] my reins be consumed within me.   (Job 19:23-27)


33) Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but [that which is] in the midst of fools is made known.
1.  The wise heart of a ruler will be displayed by his ability to see things as they truly are and making decisions based upon that understanding.  One area of decision making that will most greatly exhibit his level of understanding is in his choice of counselors and associates.
2.  Likewise foolishness in the heart of a leader is clearly shown to all through foolish decision making in choosing his companions and mentors.

The ruler’s choice of associates and counselors, along with the other choices he makes, will clearly display the amount of understanding that he possesses.

Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open [his] folly.   (Proverbs 13:16)

Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he [is] a fool.   (Ecclesiastes 10:3)


34) Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people.
1.  When a leader upholds righteous practices and punishes evil, his people will be honored and blessed of the Lord.
2.  When a leader condones wickedness and rejects Godly obedience, his people will face destruction and shame.

When a leader loves his subjects, he will always seek to encourage righteousness and punish wickedness that enters among them.  In doing so, he is assuring God’s continued blessings and the honor of their peers.

Keep therefore and do [them]; for this [is] your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation [is] a wise and understanding people.  For what nation [is there so] great, who [hath] God [so] nigh unto them, as the LORD our God [is] in all [things that] we call upon him [for]?  And what nation [is there so] great, that hath statutes and judgments [so] righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?   (Deuteronomy 4:6-8)


35) The king's favour [is] toward a wise servant: but his wrath is [against] him that causeth shame.
1.  A ruler will find pleasure in a servant who exhibits wisdom in his labors because it exalts both the ruler and those over which he rules.
2.  A ruler will hold anger and resentment towards the servant that brings shame upon himself and his people.

A ruler will desire for wisdom to be displayed in those who represent him, and by implication, his domain.  By doing this both the ruler and those he rules will be honored and exalted.

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [his] lord shall make ruler over his household, to give [them their] portion of meat in due season?   Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.  But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes].  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.   (Luke 12:42-48)

SUMMARY:

In the two parts of our study on being wise rulers we have seen:

A wise ruler will:
1. make decisions that display a love, concern and desire to benefit those over whom he rules.
2. only make decisions after reflection, consistently using self-control as a decision making tool. 
3. mind the affairs of his own people, not being distracted by the actions of those who rule over others. 
4. use the exercise of his authority as an opportunity to honor his Lord.  He will do this by using Christ as the perfect example for his rule.
5. be accepted by his subjects and display his spiritual condition and future standing before the Lord.
6. choose Godly associates and counselors, these choices along with the other choices he makes, will clearly display the amount of understanding that he possesses.
7. will always seek to encourage righteousness and punish wickedness that enters among his people.
8. will desire for wisdom to be displayed in those who represent him and his domain. 


By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.




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