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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