You Don’t Have to Like It

Proverbs 22:7 (KJV) The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Beware of the standards of the intellectuals.  One of the rallying cries of the agitators today is equality.  They want to “redistribute” wealth until everyone is equal.  That is a very cozy dream but it does not fit life or the world God has created.

There will always be levels of income and influence.  Some will have power, some not.  Certain people will rule.  There is a reason for that.  Some people demonstrate their right to be in charge because they are successful.  Would you want to work for a poor man?  What kind of wages do you think he could pay?

Also found in these Proverbs is the responsibility placed on those who have power.  It is not to be self-seeking or oppressive.  That is where people go wrong.  They think they are rich because they are better.  The message is that the rich are to be better servants.

So?  If you have any authority, use it wisely and in keeping with the standards that 
God has given you.  That can be the authority of a parent, a policeman, a teacher, an employer or simply a supervisor of a new hire.  It applies at all levels.  

Even Kings

Psalms 76:12 (KJV) He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

Most political leaders would reject the idea that they are submissive to the God of Israel.  When you figure in the atheists, animists, pagans and psuedo-Christians there are not many left who actually think about God.  That does not mean they are not aware on some level.

Think of what it means to be terrible.  The word can mean awe or fear.  Every leader on earth has something to be afraid of even if it is nothing less than being betrayed by their servants.  God has the ability to channel and manipulate that fear.

So?  Sometimes it is good to be one of the little people.  We also have our fears but it seems easier for us to turn to God in His majesty.  

Say Please

Proverbs 31:9 (KJV) Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

The first part of this chapter is instructions given to a king.  I would suggest if you are giving directions to a king that you walk carefully.  Kings, especially in ancient times, tended to have total control over your life and your death.  You did not want to make them mad.

With that in mind, it’s interesting here not so much that the king was to judge righteously, but that he had to “plead” the “cause” of the poor and needy.  If you are in authority, your job is not to exercise your authority.  Your responsibility before God is to mold the hearts and minds of those that you are put over.  You are not to Lord over them.  You were to teach, and you were to lead them towards upright living.

So?  Don’t let your power go to your head.  If you’re a parent, it’s not just to be in charge of the house.  It is to mold your family.  If you are an employer, you are not just there to run the business and to make money.  You also have a responsibility to build up of the people put in your care.  Be a king in you’re a little world, a righteous king. 

Who, Me?

(Exo 18:21 KJV)  Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

(Proverbs 30 also read)

It is never a bad time to think about the qualities of leadership.  This is the advice of Jethro to Moses.  It would seem here that Jethro is assuming Moses will do the picking.  Later we see that Moses passed at least some of that choosing on to the people.

(Deu 1:13 KJV)  Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.

While we are not looking at pure democracy there is a sense of the people being involved in the picking of their government.  There are four character traits that they were to look for.  I would suggest that they are good for us to look for in our choices, too.

It is always a good time to consider the kind of qualities we should show in our own lives.  We may not be called to leadership politically but all of us will be in positions where leadership is needed.  We need to live in such a way that people will at least consider us.

So?  I would hope these traits are already a part of your life.  If not, I would suggest that you pay attention to the personal priorities and choices you make.

Don’t Drink the Fool-Aid

(Pro 27:22 KJV)  Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

The basic point is that you cannot force someone to cease being a fool.  The more I watch the general population and our leaders the more I can accept that.  But keep in mind the difference between the basic statement, “you can’t force a fool to learn”, and the opposite, “Fools cannot learn.”  One is the truth expressed here.  The opposite is expressed other places.

The basic point is that there are very real limits on what you can do for other people if they do not get on board to help themselves.  Our current culture has gone the victim route.  We have been convinced that people need the government or some rich person to help them out of their problem.  In reality it just encourages most of them to double down and get more helpless.  It is a fine line to walk and requires a bit of discernment along with a healthy dose of tough love.

So?  Be willing to help but make sure that the help you are giving is the kind that helps people to stand on their own two feet rather than lean on you harder.  Make discernment the goal of your prayer and charity.  You goal is to help them not make yourself feel better. 

More Than Tough

(Pro 20:26 KJV)  A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

This is more than “tough love”.  This is a command to take strong action against the “wicked” (7563) who surround us.  Our modern wimpy Christianity that is afraid to offend anyone except God rejects this clear statement.  This can also be demonstrated in the New Testament from such passages as,

(1Co 5:11 KJV)  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

I think we need to accept that this is a position that applies to more than the king.  It applies at least to everyone in a place of authority and I think to every believer.  We don’t like it.  We would rather quote “Judge not”.  It is still here.

So?  Instead of worrying about the effect we have on the evil in our midst we should be worrying about the effect evil has on the weak and inattentive.  As the liberals like to tell us, “Do it for the children”. 

Hump Warning

(Pro 4:11 KJV)  I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

The thing we read over and over again in Proverbs is to do what you are told.  Words are being shared and we are to listen and apply.  That is good as far as it goes but what if your father is a man of few words?  I can’t remember my father sitting around sharing all his wisdom.  What I do remember is watching how he “led” (1869) by example.  Consider that in my entire life I never heard my father curse, swear or take the name of the Lord in vain.  He was in construction and people who paid him for a job could be sure that it was done right.

One of my frustrations in our current house is that the person who built it did not pay attention to detail.  I was building some shelves for the garage and had to redo them because it never occurred to me that the floor would not be level.  I did not expect the big hump along the wall.  

So?  We are to be leaders.  We are to not just avoid moral shortcuts but make them anathema in our lives.  We need to realize that there are people who may stumble permanently because they saw us cutting corners.  No pressure or anything but the results are eternal. 

Princely Leaders

(Pro 28:16 KJV) The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

If you have both translations you will see that the NASB uses “leader” (5057) while the KJV says “prince”.  Part of this reflects the cultural background but there are points to be made for both.  The Hebrew word has the idea of one who stands above the crowd.  In the days of Solomon people were big believers in class and blood lines.  There was a belief that some people were better than others, just by birth.  For that reason a leader would most likely be a member of the nobility.  You see this in many countries where officers in the military must be from the upper crust.  The NCO’s may run the army but they still have to salute the officers.

The Bible acknowledges kings and nobles but you will notice that many of the leaders were more common people.  David may have come from a wealthy family but he was the youngest son and thought of as a shepherd.

Leaders come in all flavors.  This verse makes it clear that some of them are missing the mark.

So?  If you are ever tasked with leadership, and most of us will at some time, make sure that you look at it as a place of service, not a place to oppress. 

Goat Leaders

(Pro 27:26 KJV)  The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

Do “goats” (6260) get a bum rap?  If it helps, this is the only place in Proverbs that the Hebrew word is used.  As I was looking at where it shows up in the Old Testament I came across an interesting statement,

(Isa 14:9 KJV)  Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones (6260) of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

What got my attention was that the NASB translates it “leaders”.  This is a reminder that just because someone is rich, powerful, elected or a quiet string puller, it does not mean that they are on the side of the angels.  Proverbs is full of good things to say about kings and nobles but also points out their feet of clay.

So?  Don’t be too impressed by the powerful if you tend to think that way.  Think of them as goats in sheep’s clothing. 

Poor Correction

(Pro 28:11 KJV) The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

There is a place for everyone in God’s economy.  There are wealthy people who are good stewards of God’s blessings.  There are poor people who keep the faith even in the struggle.  This is pointing out that the “poor” (1800b) has a responsibility to keep the “rich” (6223) in line.  It is not likely that a poor person will ever get elected president.  He may have started out that way but if he has the qualities to lead the country he will have been successful in other ways.  Our job is to be the child in “The King’s New Clothes”.  

We can see how this works in a democratic system but it is also true in autocratic governments.  Even in the midst of oppression there is buy-in required by the masses.  We have a sacred charge to keep our leaders in line.

So?  This can be applied by voting, where we shop and what we buy.  It can be verbal.  However it applies we are to apply it.

He Who Would Lie...

(Pro 7:16 KJV) I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

Adultery again.  You would think that Solomon could find another topic.  Maybe it is so frequent because we need to be reminded.  Maybe is to so frequent to help us understand that the moral depravity of America today is nothing unusual.  I am reasonably sure that my sphere has very little going on, if any.  That does not mean that the culture is not guilty.

It also does not mean that we need to accept that as normal.  It does not mean that we need to accept it at all.  In the past few months two people in the broadcast media who were supposed to be solid conservatives have dumped their wives.  I don’t know what was involved.  In a real sense it is none of my business.  What is my business is accepting their opinions as readily as I did before.  If people can’t keep their marriages in order how can I expect them to be reliable on the news?

So?  Always walk with discernment.  One of the pastors I used to know used to jokingly say, “Don’t loan this man any money because he who would lie will also cheat.”  Or was it “he who will cheat will also lie”?  Either way, the principle is the same. 

Crazy Talk

(Pro 9:12 KJV) If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

Some people think that talking to yourself is a sign of being crazy.  In this day of exotic telephone devises we have to look more than twice.  This might be a recommendation of the habit.  At least it is a reminder that we should follow our own advice.

I am always amused at preachers and teachers who try to instruct others about marriage when theirs is a mess.  I have often wondered how our pulpits would change if we took the advice of Paul about leaders in the church,

(1Ti 3:4-5 KJV) One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

When it comes to giving input on leaders we need to be open and honest.  Unless we are asked it might just be better to keep things to ourselves.

So?  Each of us needs to be responsible for our own house.  If you are single that is extra hard because you don’t have anyone around to point out your flaws. 

Off the Radar

(Pro 16:15 KJV) In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

As I general rule I think it is wise to stay off the radar of anyone who has a “king” (4428) complex.  You can avoid a lot of trouble by staying away from people who enjoy giving it.  The principle extends to anyone in a position of leadership.  This verse is positive but if you include the previous verse, take note and beware.  It can be a king, hard to find in America, or a police officer.  It can be your supervisor or the president of the HOA.  Even for the good ones you never know what there mood is.

So?  Follow that great verse in Micah 6:8,

(Mic 6:8 KJV) He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

That refers to the Almighty not the local demagog. 

Leadership Dynamic

(Proverbs 28:16 KJV)  The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

As people raised in a country that knows more liberty than any in history we tend to assume that leaders who are not picked by a democratic process are all evil.  Most modern Americans don’t know the key difference between a dictator and a tyrant.  Dictator is a term used by the Romans for a leader appointed through due process and given absolute powers for a specific period of time.  A tyrant usually takes power by force of arms and never gives it up.  A dictator can rule well.  I have heard it said the the most efficient form of government is a benevolent dictatorship.  A tyrant on the other hand used whatever means are necessary to make and keep himself king of the hill. 

It is not uncommon for leaders to start out understanding that they are servants of the people and devolve into self-centered minarets.  They do not understand the dynamics of leadership although they know how to apply power.  They rarely die in their beds.

So?  Leadership takes place at many levels from cleaning homes to ruling countries.  We all have some type of leadership.  Apply the wisdom God has given in yours. 

Rich Leadership

(Proverbs 22:7 KJV)  The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

As much as we might find this offensive it is more than an observation, it is a principle.  Being rich implies that you have been successful.  Yes, I know that some people are rich because their parents were successful but it is more common for children to squander the wealth of their parents than preserve it.  People who get into debt tend to be the ones who have made bad decisions.  I know that is true today.  I assume it was true then

What kind of bad decisions?  An obvious mistake is to use a credit card for something that you really don’t need and can’t really afford.  We use credit cards but we are careful to pay them off each month.  That in itself is a trap because it puts you a month behind.  If there is a sudden downturn in the economy people like us will also be in trouble.

So?  Do you want leaders who have been failures or those who have been successful.  Let me put it another way, would you want someone who can’t do simple math to be your accountant? 

Scatter the Evil

(Proverbs 20:26 KJV)  A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

To the slave every man is a king.  Sounds profound, doesn’t it.  As far as I know I just made it up.  Since we don’t live in the day of slaves or real kings we might paraphrase it, “To a new employee, every co-worker is a boss”.  As American we like to think that our liberty gives us at least a level playing field.  We like to think that no one is better than we are.  We have our rights you know.  I experience this when I have students tell me they can say anything they want. 

Society has a hierarchy.  Rank has its privileges.  What we should be praying for is leaders who exercise that privilege in a righteous way.  There are a number of places where this comes through in  Proverbs.  In this chapter we find,

(Proverbs 20:8 KJV)  A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

So?  I don’t expect the President, governor, mayor, principal to agree with me on what it is to be a Christian.  I usually don’t measure up to my own standards.  I can petition God to mold their hearts so they discard evil and embrace righteousness.  Pray hard. 

Divine Right of Kings

(Proverbs 16:10 KJV)  A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

The NASB throws in an editorial “should” in the second part of this verse.  It doesn’t have a number to show the Hebrew word so I have to assume it is an interpretation. 

(Proverbs 16:10 NAS77)  A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.

I like it because it makes this verse have some logical sense.  It seems odd to say that the king is always right.  This would be a proof text for the Divine Right of Kings people. 

I find it easier to understand with the “should” in there.  I can find rationale for the word because of other verses that talk about how a king should rule in wisdom and wisdom starts with a fear of the Lord.  We also need to allow for the possibility that God is working something out that we don’t see and would not understand if we did see. 

So?  Be careful before you criticize leaders.  Just because you don’t agree with them doesn’t mean that they are not God’s agents.  That hurts to say in today’s political climate but is still true.

Nobility in Democracy

(Proverbs 8:6 KJV)  Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

This is Wisdom speaking.  She speaks of “excellent things” (noble things NASB) (5057) and “right things” (4339).  The word “noble” here is referring to the upper classes, the leaders.  It reminds us that certain people are put in positions of responsibility and public trust.  We do not have a nobility in our American culture.  We do not think in terms of people being better because of blood or family position.  We tend to think of merit instead.  It is still a group of people who are making the big decisions.

We need a “nobility” that is in tune with wisdom.  We need leaders who have taken the time to seek out what God has already made clear about life.  For most of us that means voting or supporting those who are in this camp.  In selected cases we may be in leadership.  Then it is on our heads to “hear” (listen NASB) (8085).

So?  I need to be prepared for unexpected leadership moments.  I need to do my homework in preparation.  Someone may ask my opinion or give me a job to do.  I will respond better if I am already prepared. 

A Double Standard

(Proverbs 31:5 KJV)  Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Life is full of double standards.

(Luke 12:48 KJV)  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.

Some have the spiritual gift of leadership.  Some in positions of power have it.  They have been given ability and position.  Therefore they are even more blameworthy than regular people.  This is reminding us that leaders are more bound by “the law” (what is decreed NASB) (2710) than are the followers.  Our leaders have forgotten that.  Today’s leaders seem to think that the power is for their benefit, not for the benefit of those below them.  This has always been a fundamental difference in how leaders view their role.  Even some of those who believed in the divine right of kings viewed it as service to God and felt a responsibility to care for the people.

So?  No matter what your level of leadership you are expected to live righteously.  Parents or politicians, public or private, you cannot allow yourself to give in to temptation or decadence.  Others are watching and responding in kind.

Behaving Like a King

(Pro 31:4 KJV)  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Are you a social drinker?  Do you enjoy a glass of wine at dinner?  I would be the first to accept that such behavior will not send you to hell.  The Biblical ban is on getting drunk, not the first drink.  I say that as one who hates alcohol and does not drink.

What we have here is a warning and a principle, not a prohibition.  This is a warning that alcohol is for the sheep not the shepherds.  It is for those who are content being followers, not for those who would step out boldly in leadership. 

So?  Take it for what it is worth.  Alcohol is to dull the qualities that provide insight, wisdom and leadership.  Think about it.