“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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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