A Blessing to Your Land (Part 2)

In my previous post, I drew attention to Proverbs 11:10-11, which teaches that the righteous are a blessing to society. We who are saved by Christ are members of our respective communities and countries, and we ought to seek their welfare with a grateful patriotism, exercising by God's grace a righteousness that is both private and social. Today, let us look at Proverbs 28:1-5, which helps us see how the righteous are a blessing. It describes some of the qualities of the righteous. 

“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1)

Let us be righteous, that we might be bold. The one who walks in the ways of the Lord can be confident. It is a sure path with no regret. This is not the case with the way of the wicked. 

If you are righteous and are doing what is right, then therefore be bold. You have reason to be bold and confident. A scared righteous man is like a cowardly lion. 

Do not be scared of the wicked, for they flee even when no one pursues. They may look powerful and fearsome, but looks can be deceiving. 

The righteous are a blessing to their city because they provide courage and confidence. Whether that courage is needed in a literal battle or in facing other challenges, it is helpful to have courage in a people, a strength given through the grace of God.

The righteous are also a blessing because they are bold in doing the right thing and in opposing what is wrong. They have a courage that is directed to the right end. They are able to withstand temptation and threats and ridicule, and press on in doing what is right and good. 

Consider the boldness of those who have done good to their people through courage. Consider Jonathan, who took on the enemy accompanied only by his armor bearer. Consider David, who took on Goliath. Consider Esther, who approached the king for her people. Consider the boldness of Jesus Christ, who went confidently to his sacrifice, laying down his life, despising the shame.

“When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.” (Proverbs 28:2)

The reference to “many rulers” refers to political instability, whether there are multiple rival rulers at the same time or a quick succession of different rulers or dynasties. You can see this exemplified in the northern kingdom of Israel, with many short reigns and dynasties, in contrast to the kingdom of Judah, which enjoyed longer reigns from the same dynasty.

As the transgressions of a land are judged by and lead to national instability, so the opposite is implied: when a land is righteous, it is stabilized and exalted. In America, it is normal to have multiple people running for office, but I think it is fair to say that people are troubled by an increase in polarization, division, and turmoil in politics. It was a blessing when we had presidents like Washington, who enjoyed widespread support from the country. If America wishes to be blessed and not judged by God, it should turn from transgression unto God and practice righteousness in its government, laws, culture, and common life. America's hardships are from the Lord. America ought to humble itself and repent from sin unto God. 

The first line implies its opposite, but the proverb leaves it merely implied and spends the second line on something additional. It goes on to describe the usefulness of even one individual with knowledge and understanding. It can be discouraging to live in a land where there is so much transgression, but that is not a reason to give up hope of being useful. There are many examples in Scripture where a nation has been blessed and its life extended, or even revived and reformed, by a wise individual, either as a ruler or advisor or official, who had knowledge and understanding. Consider Joseph in Egypt, King Josiah of Judah, Jehoiada the High Priest, Daniel in Babylon, and the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Therefore let a land turn away from transgression, and at the same time, let each of you be and promote individuals of understanding and knowledge who will bless their land. In other words there is a corporate responsibility of a country to be righteous, so that it may be blessed with good rulers, and not with political instability. At the same time there is a responsibility to be or promote wise leaders that will be a blessing to the people. You should not trust in politics alone, apart from the general condition of a country, neither should we only focus on the general condition of the country and neglect the provision of good leadership.

This can apply also to other organizations and businesses. You, if you are wise and understanding, may be a great blessing to your work place or organization, so that its stability long continues.

“A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.” (Proverbs 28:3)

You would think that a poor person would have compassion and other poor people. But that is not always the case. The poor person who oppresses the poor is like a rain, which seems promising, but then disappoints. Such a person neglects the golden rule that Jesus taught us, “whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” 

The righteous are a blessing to their land because they will not oppress the people, but have compassion upon them. A righteous magistrate will protect them, look out for them, so that others might not take advantage of them (Ps. 82:3-4). A righteous citizen will treat his neighbor well, dealing generously and fairly with him (Ps. 112:5). 

“Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.” (Proverbs 28:4)

Those who forsake the law are set adrift without that anchor and end up praising the wicked. Therefore, be those who keep the law, that you might stand fast against the wicked. Proverbs 25:26 says, “Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.” Such a righteous man is like a polluted fountain, for just as you expect a fountain to provide refreshing drinking water, but are disappointed to find it polluted, so it is right to expect a righteous man to oppose the wicked, and are disappointed to find them giving way before them. That a righteous man may remain resolute in righteousness, he must attend to and keep the law of God.

Those who are reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ find the law no longer a threat, but a blessed rule of life. Jesus raises his people by the Spirit to new life, writing the law on their hearts. By his grace, through a use of the means he has given us, we can learn and keep the law, more and more.

Those who truly keep the law are not content to let wickedness prosper, but will be active and opposing the wicked. They are active and engaged. They care about others and their society. They are opposed to wickedness from the heart and oppose it by taking action.

This is not limited to politics, but certainly that is one area of conflict. The role of civil government is to strive against wickedness, at least external expressions of it, to be a terror to evildoers and to praise the good (Rom. 13:1-7).

Different people are called to different levels of political involvement. Voting wisely is a basic adult responsibility in American society. You can also write to your legislators. Some will speak with their legislators. Some will donate to candidates and organizations. Some will attend rallies and events. Some will volunteer for campaigns, causes, or organizations that provide education on political issues. Some will run for office. American citizens have a responsibility to strive against wickedness and seek the well-being of their country through politics, and it is those who keep the law who will do this well, although this can look different for each person, since you have different gifts, callings, and stages in life.

Politics is far from being the only area where you must strive against the wicked. Those who keep the law, oppose the wicked in their personal life, resisting temptation. They strive against the wicked by seeking to persuade the wicked to change their ways. They strive against them by counteracting their influence in families, social circles, work places, businesses, and other organizations. They strive against them by arguing against wickedness and for that which is good and right and true.

When John Witherspoon preached on a fast day in the May of 1776, he encouraged his listeners to promote public virtue.

Suffer me to recommend to you an attention to the public interest of religion, or in other words zeal for the glory of God and the good of others. I have already endeavoured to exhort sinners to repentance, what I have here in view is to point out to you the concern which every good man ought to take in the national character and manners, and the means which he ought to use for promoting public virtue, and bearing down impiety and vice. This is a matter of the utmost moment, and which ought to be well understood, both in its nature and principles. Nothing is more certain than that a general profligacy and corruption of manners makes a people ripe for destruction. A good form of government may hold the rotten materials together for some time, but beyond a certain pitch even the best constitution will be ineffectual, and slavery must ensue. On the other hand, when the manners of a nation are pure, when true religion and internal principles maintain their vigour, the attempts of the most powerful enemies to oppress them are commonly baffled and disappointed.

Sin is social, spreading and corrupting society and custom. But by God’s grace, the righteousness of Christ’s disciples is also social, spreading and reforming society and custom. Both sin and God’s kingdom are compared with leaven. The influence of the wicked must be opposed; and those who keep the law are equipped to do this work.

“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.” (Proverbs 28:5)

Evil men are compromised; their sense of justice is corrupted. Evil men do not understand justice. To understand justice, you should seek the Lord. From the Lord, man is able to gain a right understanding of justice among men. 

Where is God to be found? God is found in his word. Seek God in his word with reverence and teachableness, that you might understand his ways. Scripture shows us the way to God through Christ and Scripture teaches the law of God, which is a joy to those in Christ. Scripture provides a knowledge of justice. As Moses said in Deuteronomy 4:8, “And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?”

Seek the Lord and listen to his word. Make his law your meditation day and night. His word is perfect and it speaks to matters of righteousness and obligations and the right reaction of man to man in society. Study his word to gain a true understanding of it. Consider the case laws he gave Israel, for example. They are profitable to direct modern man in our social interactions and our understanding of justice, even though their particular context must be kept in mind (more on that here and here). Consider the book of Proverbs and the prophets and the teachings found in the Gospels, and indeed the whole of Scripture. And pray for an understanding and practice of righteousness, as Solomon did. "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?" (1 Kings 3:9) Seek the Lord in his word and through prayer, that you might understand justice and practice it in your life and society.

Conclusion

Those whom Christ saves from sin, he makes a blessing to their land. Therefore, those who rest upon him for salvation should seek to be a blessing to their land by his grace.

Pursue righteousness, for to this you were called. If you are in Christ, then you have been released from the tyranny of sin. Be therefore righteous, that you might be a blessing to your land. Your community, your neighbors, your country are in need of the righteous. The land rots without the salt of the earth. Be grateful for what you have received in its civic fellowship and come to its aid through the grace of Christ. Go forth this week to work in this world diligently and usefully, not growing weary in doing good, putting forth in action the virtues that God is working within you. Unto him be the glory!

A Blessing to Your Land (Part 1)

Next week we will come to our country’s Independence Day, the 4th of July. While America’s roots go back to the early 1600s, it was 250 years ago on July 4th, 1776, that these United States declared independence from Great Britain and its king. Not only did we successfully maintain our independence in battle, but we have grown and been blessed in many ways since that time. These blessings ought to be ascribed to Almighty God, from whom all blessings flow. A remembrance of our country’s independence should cause you both to be grateful to that founding generation and other generations that have built up what you enjoy today, as well as to give thanks to God and to recall your personal and national obligation to him. As the fourth verse of our national anthem says,

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

As you reflect upon God’s blessings upon the labors of previous generations, it should also recall you to your calling, that you might preserve and build upon the blessings of the past and seek by God’s grace to improve and pass on a country to your children that will be a blessing to them. Those whom Christ saves from sin, he makes a blessing to their land. Therefore, those who rest upon him for salvation should seek to be a blessing to their land by his grace.

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,

and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. (Proverbs 11:10–11) 

Verse 11 makes explicit what is implied in verse 10. The city rejoices when it goes well with the righteous, because the righteous are a blessing to the city. There are shouts of gladness when the wicked perish, because the wicked tear down their city by their mouth. Consider the example found in the book of Esther: when the decree of Haman was published, the city of Susa was thrown into confusion, but when Mordecai received Haman’s position and went out in royal robes and a golden crown, the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.

The righteous are a blessing to their city. As John Witherspoon preached in 1776, “it is in the man of piety and inward principle that we may expect to find the uncorrupted patriot, the useful citizen, and the invincible soldier.” God does not call you to a merely private devotion, but to an exercise of righteousness that is also social. Your righteousness must be personal and private, but it must not stop there. In the same Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus teaches us to pray in secret before God, he also teaches us to let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven. Your righteousness must be sincere and for God, not hypocritical praise-seeking, but it must also be exercised in the social realm. You must not hide your light under a basket. Jesus has established you all as a city on a hill and as the light of the world. His kingdom is in the world like leaven is in dough - it transforms the whole thing.

“The blessing of the upright” includes prayer for your land and your words and actions in society. The upright bless those around them by their diligence in their work, their honest dealing and faithfulness, and their deeds of mercy. The upright bless others by their wise and righteous use of words - as the mouth of the wicked overthrows the city, so the mouth of the upright is a blessing. May you be upright and exercise that righteousness in your words and deeds, that you might be a blessing.

In Jeremiah 29:7, God told the Jewish exiles in Babylonia, “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” If the Jewish exiles were to seek good of the foreign city they lived in for seventy years, how much more should you seek the good of our own city, your own land?

Whether you like it or not, you participate in the well-being of your country. This is all the more the case when when you dwell in your own country, as citizens, not as exiles. In its welfare, you will find your welfare. You are born into a society full of riches you did not work for - institutions, laws, cultural heritage, language, infrastructure, relatives, neighbors, etc. You inherit a place in a commonwealth. This places obligations upon you of filial piety, of reverent gratitude. As R.J. Rushdoony wrote concerning the fifth commandment, 

honor to parents, and to all older than ourselves, is a necessary aspect of the basic law of inheritance. What we inherit from our parents is life itself, and also the wisdom of their faith and experience as they transmit it to us. The continuity of history rests in this honor and inheritance. A revolutionary age breaks with the past and turns on parents with animosity and venom: it disinherits itself. To respect our elders other than our parents is to respect all that is good in our cultural inheritance. The world certainly is not perfect, nor even law-abiding, but, although we come into the world naked, we do not enter an empty world. The houses, orchards, fields, and flocks are all the handiwork of the past, and we are richer for this past and must honor it. (Institutes of Biblical Law, p. 166)

Patriotism is a virtue. Patriotism is an application of the fifth commandment. It is an extension of the command to honor father and mother. You are to honor and make return to your mother country, your patria.

You and I do not have absolute control over whether it will go well with the righteous or not. Ultimately God raises up and casts down. But for our part, may we be among the righteous who are a blessing, so that if we are exalted, it may be a good thing for our society, as when God raised up Joseph and Daniel and Esther. May you be such a person, by God’s grace, that the city rejoices when it goes well with you.

The Armor of God

In Ephesians 6:10-20, the apostle Paul exhorts the saints to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God. In verses 11-13, he explains why Christians should do this. We should put on the whole armor of God that we may "be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." We should prepare to withstand them. Paul had already mentioned deceitful schemes in Ephesians 4:14 and the importance of giving no opportunity to the devil in Ephesians 4:27.

You need this armor, because you are engaged in a struggle against spiritual forces of evil. It is not a matter of physical strength or skill with a sword. A literal sword cannot protect you from the devil and his schemes.

Paul contrasts physical warfare (against flesh and blood) and spiritual warfare. The one seeks to kill the body, but the other aims to corrupt and destroy the whole person. The leaders of the other side are the devil and his spiritual forces. They also work with or through sinful men and the remnants of sin that remain in you. The world, the flesh, and the devil seek to destroy your soul (1 Peter 2:11, 4:3-4, 5:8-9). You need God’s strength, God’s spiritual armor, that you might stand firm.

Paul is not insisting on pacifism here, as if it were wrong to engage in all physical conflict. Serving as a soldier is still a godly calling, and war can be waged for just and godly causes. But that is a particular calling and not the war in view here. The most important conflict, and the one that all Christians on earth are engaged in, is this spiritual conflict.

Earlier in Ephesians 4:24, Paul noted that Christians had been taught "to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." Here he makes a similar point, but with conflict in mind. What we put on is given to us by God in Christ. 

1. The belt of truth (v. 14)

The belt holds thing together so that a solider is unhindered by his garments, ready to fight. We are to fasten on truth like a belt, that we might be ready for the conflict. 

We are to fasten on the virtue of truth, that is, faithfulness, sincerity, and honesty. In Ephesians 4:25, Paul had said, "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." Isaiah 11:5 describes faithfulness as the belt of Christ. 

We are also to fasten on revealed truth, "the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation" (Eph. 1:13, cp. 4:15, 4:21). We must be careful to not be children, "tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes" (Eph. 4:14). Rather, we are to receive the ministry of the word, to study the word, and to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:11-16). 

By holding fast to the truth and being truthful and faithful, we avoid the deceptive schemes of the devil, the liar and the father of lies.

2. The breastplate of righteousness (v. 14)

The breastplate is a piece of armor that guards the vitals against blows. We are to put on righteousness as a breastplate. 

We are to put on the "true righteousness" that reflects God’s righteousness (Eph. 4:24). We have put on the new man and are being renewed after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Righteousness is to be written on the heart and practiced in the life. This is strength.

True righteousness is in accord with the word of God, the infallible and sufficient rule of righteousness. True righteousness is also not hypocritical, not done for the praise of man, not merely done externally, but is a righteousness rooted in the heart that extends to right motive, intention, and deed.

Righteousness is the alternative to sin. The devil wants us to sin. Let righteousness become your breastplate, a cherish habit and virtue, ready to repel temptations to go astray. We receive from Christ both an imputed righteousness to save us from condemnation and an inward work of grace that renews us to righteousness more and more. The imputed righteousness supports us against the demoralizing accusations of the devil (cp. Zech. 3), and the imparted righteousness supports us against his temptations to sin against our God. 

3. As shoes, the readiness given by the gospel of peace (v. 15)

Shoes give the solider not only mobility when needed, but also a firm place to stand. As shoes provide a foundation for us to "stand firm," so the gospel gives us stability and readiness.

The gospel of peace gives us a place to rest and a firm foundation. Our faith clings to it. Its promises give us hope. It proclaims reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and the hope of glory with him. 

This phrase is probably an allusion to Isaiah 52:7. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" The gospel is a gospel of peace. It proclaims that God is at peace with his people through Christ. As Paul said in Ephesians 2:17, Jesus "came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near."

4. The shield of faith (v. 16)

The shield is an important piece of protection that can be moved to protect against various weapons, including "flaming darts." We are to take up the shield of faith. 

Paul tells us to take up the shield of faith in "all circumstances." Faith is to be continually exercised. Having believed, we are also to walk by faith (Col. 2:6, Heb. 11). 

Paul had stressed the importance and uniqueness of faith earlier in this letter. We are saved through faith (Eph. 2:8) and Christ dwells in our hearts through faith (Eph. 3:17) and we share with the saints “one faith” (Eph. 4:5). 

The quality and object of faith are both important. Saving faith is not mere knowledge and assent, but also trust. Our faith is to be in God and his word, and especially in the Savior he holds forth to us. We are to receive and rest upon Jesus Christ for salvation. By this faith, we are united to Christ and freely receive a share in the benefits of his redemptive work. And by this faith, "a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come" (Westminster Confession of Faith, 14.2).  

The devil seeks to open the way for his temptations by causing us to doubt God and his word. He did this with Eve (Gen. 3). But with the shield of faith you can protect yourself and extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. 

5. The helmet of salvation (v. 17)

The helmet gives important protection to the head. Paul tells us to take the helmet of salvation. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, he similarly speaks of having put on "for a helmet the hope of salvation." It is especially the future aspect of salvation that seems to be meant, the hope of deliverance and exaltation in the day of judgment. 

So take heart in your expectation of salvation. Reflect on the complete reliability of God’s promises to those who believe in Christ and reflect on your saving faith in Christ. All those who believe in the Lord Jesus shall be saved. If you, then, truly believe in the Lord Jesus, you shall be saved. It is good for people to consider this matter, so that those who believe might have a confident expectation of their personal salvation. This assurance is not essential to saving faith - a person must believe before they know they believe - but it is a great blessing and strength. The hope and confidence that flows from faith is like a helmet. John wrote 1 John so that believers might have this hope and confidence, this knowledge that they have eternal life. 

6. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (v. 17).

The sword is a deadly weapon used to destroy the enemy. It is an offensive weapon. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit. It is used to destroy strongholds, to destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God (2 Cor. 10:4-6).

The word of God is given by the Spirit and it is effectual through the Spirit’s power as he enlightens our minds and renews our wills (1 Cor. 2:9-16). The Holy Scriptures are the word of God, given by inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16). The human authors were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). 

The word of God is powerful. It destroys and builds, its refutes and converts, its sanctifies and comforts. It is the weapon Jesus used in the temptation (Matt. 4). It is the sword that comes from his mouth (Is. 49:2, Rev. 1:16). 

7. Praying in the Spirit, watching and praying for all the saints and for preachers (v. 18-20)

Prayer is not given a particular weapon to represent it, perhaps because it is so closely connected with the sword of the Spirit. As you wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, you should be praying in the Spirit as well. The Word of God is closely associated with prayer, and both of them with the Holy Spirit. Both of them are means of grace, and we pray for God's blessing upon the word. Especially in view here are prayers of supplication for all the saints and prayers for preachers like Paul, that the gospel might be proclaimed boldly and clearly.

Prayer is part of our readiness for conflict, our readiness to overcome the schemes of the devil. Even Paul requested prayer that he might be bold, that he might stand boldly and not be tripped up by the devil's schemes. So let us also pray in the Spirit, praying at all times with all prayer and supplication, keeping alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

Conclusion

In these ways, be strong in the Lord, putting on the armor that he supplies, the whole armor of God. In this way, stand firm. Fight against the spiritual forces of evil with the armor of God, giving all glory and praise to him.

Christ has crushed the devil under his feet, and "the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (Rom. 16:20). As John Ball put it, "Christ hath bruised the Serpent's head by his own power: but the faithful overcome by the power of Christ." Christ makes them more than conquerors. He answers his people's prayers. Christ leads his people to victory.