Every day I wake up and find he news of more cars, cities, places torched in mayhem. It’s distressing to say the least to see this happening. At the same time I know this is being allowed by God as a setup because he is about to do something really great upon the earth.
But then I read Proverbs 29 and I think how many of these proverbs are appropriate for these days and times:
1Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king gives a country stability,
but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.
5 Those who flatter their neighbors
are spreading nets for their feet.
6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin,
but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked have no such concern.
8 Mockers stir up a city,
but the wise turn away anger.
9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
and seek to kill the upright.
11 Fools give full vent to their rage,
but the wise bring calm in the end.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials become wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
his throne will be established forever.
15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
they will bring you the delights you desire.
18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
though they understand, they will not respond.
20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.
21 A servant pampered from youth
will turn out to be insolent.
22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
23 Pride brings a person low,
but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
they are put under oath and dare not testify.
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.
27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright.
So much wisdom here. And I’m not thinking of certain person or political people here, but just what maturity and immaturity looks like, what the fruit of the righteous and the wicked look like, and what the emotional peaceful and the emotional angry people look like.
Also in this I see the responsibility of the righteous.
v. 1 – Remain humble. If we are not teachable we can harden ourselves to the point when we are hit, we shatter.
v. 2 – When righteous people (that is people acting in godliness) flourish, people around rejoice. But when wicked people are ruling, people suffer. In saying this look just beyond a president/prime minister.
v. 3 – A wise son or daughter brings joy to the family, but a promiscuous one squanders his wealth.
v. 4 – A king can help bring stability to a land with justice, but a king who demands bribes and gifts destroys it.
v. 5 – Empty flattery will bite back in the end.
v. 6 – A sinner will always be looking over his shoulder and will eventually be caught, but the righteous will live in peace and joy with nothing to hide.
v. 7 – A righteous person cares for the poor while a wicked person is indifferent.
v. 8. – Whole cities can be inflamed by mockers but wise people will diffuse the anger.
v. 9 – If a wise man and a fool go to court, there will be no resolution as the fool will just rant and rave.
v. 10 – Men focused on destruction despise the honest, but the righteous person cares about him.
v. 11 – A fool things he has the right to fully vent his anger. The wise one restrains it.
v. 12 – If a politician listens to lies, those around him will also be corrupted either by the choice of them or by the infection of those lies.
v. 13 – The LORD made the man who is poor as well as the man who is abusive. He cares for them both.
v. 14 – A king is to judge the poor with fairness, not partiality or favoritism, and when that king does so, his throne will become strong
v. 15 – Disciplining your children is needed, and when you do even though it’s hard, they will grow up to be a blessing
v. 16 – When the wicked increase in their ideology, ways and practices, so does rebellion. But eventually in the long run the righteous will see their downfall. Unrestrained wickedness only lasts for a season.
v. 17 – It’s good to discipline your children as it will give you peace as well.
v. 18 – Without understanding the revelation and wisdom of God, people will run wild and life will be chatoic. But the one who seeks instruction will be wise.
v. 19 – A servant typically is not going to respond to words for discipline, as he doesn’t desire to respond. People need consequences.
v. 20 – A man who shares his opinion quickly is deeply foolish.
v. 21 – A young person who is entitled as a youth will become arrogant as an adult.
v. 22 – An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered man increases rebellion
v. 23 – Eventually a prideful person will fall, but a humble person will be raised to honor
v. 24 – To be the companion of a thief will lead to self-hate, because when he is called to testify he will become a coward and remain silent
v. 25 – If you live your life fearing man it will ensnare you. Fear the Lord and you will be safe.
v. 26 – Many try to persuade rulers and leaders to get what they need, but when you need justice it comes from the Lord.
v. 27 – There comes a time when a good and honest person is detestable to the angry and the wicked, at the same time the wicked man is detestable to the honest one.