The Application of Wisdom: Teachings About Government

Notes on Proverbs

Given the way people talk about government as it relates to the Scriptures, many might assume that there is very little in the way of instruction regarding government in the book of Proverbs. Yet there are quite a few passages that teach us about government, as well as providing instructions both to those in government and those who are subject to governing authorities. We begin with the following verse:

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (14:34).

Though this passage is not specifically referring to civil government, there are certainly principles that will apply to it. A nation will be exalted before God due to the righteousness of the people. Therefore, those in authority ought to encourage righteousness. This will be done primarily by directing the force and wrath of government’s power toward the wicked and away from the righteous. Solomon also says that sin among the people brings shame upon the nation. Therefore, those in authority should not support or encourage wickedness among the people.

About Government: Its Place and Role

By the transgression of a land many are its princes, but by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures” (28:2).

E.M. Zerr explained the significance of the many princes in his comments on this verse: “A prince is a leading person without official authority as a general thing. Such men are brought into prominence by the misdoings of a country. But one man of substantial kind of knowledge will ensure the state of a nation.” These princes that arise through the transgressions of the people will threaten the long-term health of the nation. They consume the country’s resources while doing nothing to fulfill the government’s God-given role. Actual “understanding and knowledge” are far more important contributions that one might make for the health of a nation than merely holding some official position.

The fury of a king is like messengers of death, but a wise man will appease it. In the light of a king’s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain” (16:14-15).

The king, in his role as the head of civil authority, holds the power of life and death over the people he rules (cf. 19:12). Unfortunately, this verse says nothing about the justice involved in punishing or rewarding certain ones. For this reason, several passages in Proverbs emphasize the need for kings to rule with justice. Yet the constant element that exists in all human government is not justice, but power.

A king who sits on the throne of justice disperses all evil with his eyes” (20:8).

Being in a position of power, God expects rulers to establish their throne on justice. If a ruler does this, evil will be dispersed because justice demands that wickedness be punished.

A wise king winnows the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them” (20:26).

One of the primary responsibilities that government has is to punish those who do evil. The King James Version says, “A wise king scattereth the wicked,” again emphasizing the fact that a ruler acting according to his divinely-given role will be a cause of fear for those who do evil. On the other hand, this also implies that when a government refuses to punish wickedness as it ought, sin will abound.

There are three things which are stately in their march. Even four which are stately when they walk: The lion which is mighty among beasts and does not retreat before any, the strutting rooster, the male goat also, and a king when his army is with him” (30:29-31).

The kings with their armies are described as being “stately in their march.” The fact that they command such a force demands respect. The mention of such military might also reminds us of the responsibility of rulers to “bear the sword” (Romans 13:4).

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase” (28:28).

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan” (29:2).

The wise man implies that the ones who “hide themselves” from wicked rulers are not other wicked persons who deserve punishment. Righteous kings punish the wicked (20:8, 26); wicked kings do not. Instead, wicked kings are a cause of fear to those who do what is right. Therefore, the righteous hide themselves. Interestingly, “the righteous increase,” not necessarily when wicked rulers are replaced with righteous rulers, but simply when wicked rulers “perish.” The righteous are capable of prospering with or without civil authorities over them because of their reliance upon the providence of God [see comments on 27:23-27] and submission to His rule. Yet righteous rulers are still able to be a blessing to the people of a nation (29:2; cf. 28:12).

Loyalty and truth preserve the king, and he upholds his throne by righteousness” (20:28).

A king who desires his throne to be established must rule with mercy (KJV), truth, and righteousness. Many in positions of power are concerned solely with enriching themselves and care little for the people. Yet a righteous king will remember his obligation before God to follow His instructions and do what is right.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter. As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable” (25:2-3).

These verses are discussing different levels of authority. God is able to “conceal a matter” because He is over all – including the king. The king might “search out a matter,” but even in his position, there are certain things of God that are unknowable to him. Furthermore, the fact that he must “search out a matter” reminds us of the fact that the king is only human; he does not have perfect knowledge of everything. Therefore, God in His omniscience is and always will be greater than the king. Then Solomon says, “The heart of kings is unsearchable.” Just as the king might “search out” matters known only to the one who is greater than he is (God), we might “search out” matters known only to the king who rules over us. We cannot know the hearts of those in power, any more than we can know the mind of God, unless it is revealed to us.

Take away the wicked before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness” (25:5).

Kings are only human. They can be influenced by evil around them. Therefore, if the king is surrounded by wicked advisors, he will act wickedly. If these advisors are removed, wickedness can be avoided. When wickedness is avoided and righteousness is practiced in its place, “his throne will be established.”

For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations” (27:24).

God’s reign is eternal. Human rulers hold power for a short period of time by comparison. Therefore, all men – both in and out of positions of power – need to remember the limitations of civil authority and submit to the one with ultimate authority – God.

Instructions to Those in Government

Moving on from statements about government, we will now consider instructions in the book of Proverbs directed specifically toward those in power.

By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly” (8:15-16).

The “me” of this passage is wisdom (8:12). This wisdom is not a worldly wisdom, but wisdom that comes from above. Those in positions of authority must not rely upon their own wisdom, but seek after God’s wisdom.

The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it” (29:4).

Stability is desirable for a nation, as it includes the conditions of peace (from threats without and within) and a freedom from want. This is good for the people, but is also good for the rulers as the people remain content under their rule. This stability is made possible through fairness and justice. A ruler must not be able to be bought, as this will overthrow the stability in the land.

If a king judges the poor with truth, his throne will be established forever” (29:14).

Too often, men will show kindness to those who they believe will be able to reciprocate. For those in positions of power, this means that they pay special regard to those who are rich, powerful, and influential; but the poor are often ignored. Rulers must pay attention to the poor and judge them “with truth” as this, not the neglect of the poor in favor of the rich, will cause his throne to be established.

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy” (31:8-9).

This passage is related to the one previously noted (29:14). Those who are unable to defend themselves must be protected by the civil authorities against those who would abuse them. But in all of this, the king must rule justly (29:4). The rights of the less fortunate must be defended. However, in defending the rights of the lowly against the rich and powerful, a ruler must not go to the other extreme – attack the rights of the rich in the name of the poor. The Law specifically stated: “Nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute” (Exodus 23:3). Showing favoritism – for either the rich or the poor – is a perversion of justice. A ruler must “defend the rights of the afflicted and needy” without assaulting the rights of others.

A divine decision is in the lips of the king; his mouth should not err in judgment. A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; all the weights of the bag are His concern. It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, for a throne is established on righteousness” (16:10-12).

The statement, “A divine decision is in the lips of the king,” means that a king ought to rule in such a way that is in harmony with God’s law. “A just balance and scales belong to the Lord,” means that everything that is right, just, and fair is in harmony with His instructions. No human standard that is contrary to God’s standard ought to be followed or enforced. Furthermore, when Solomon says, “It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,” he is saying that those in authority are not above the law – either God’s law or man’s. Therefore, rulers must act righteously in the fear of God.

Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and he who speaks right is loved” (16:13).

Rulers are to value truth and righteousness. They are not to be like many who delight in and love those who will flatter and deceive them.

Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less are lying lips to a prince” (17:7).

Excellent speech” is not characteristic of a fool. Similarly, “lying lips” ought not be characteristic of a prince (or anyone within the government). Unfortunately, lying is often associated with those in power (for good reason). But the instruction for those in authority is that they should be truthful and honest in their dealings with others – including the ones under their power.

If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, all his ministers become wicked” (29:12).

Those who serve the king do so at his pleasure. Therefore, the king is going to surround himself with those who already think like him or who will go along with him in his plans. So a king who “pays attention to falsehood” – likely the counsel of a few of his advisors (25:5) – and follows after what is evil, then eventually “all his ministers become wicked.”

In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, but in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin” (14:28).

Though it would be easy for a ruler to become arrogant because of his position, the wise man reminds him that his glory or honour (KJV) is only possible because of the people he rules. There are two implications to this. First, without the loyalty of the people, those in power cannot rule, which leads to their downfall. This means that for one to effectively rule over the long-term, he must do so with the consent of the governed. Second, without the life of the people, those in power cannot rule. Therefore, being in a position of civil authority demands that one protect the people from those who would do harm to them.

It is not good to fine the righteous, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness” (17:26).

We have already noticed the responsibility of rulers to punish evildoers (20:8, 26). However, they must take care not to punish the righteous along with the wicked. Peter would later explain the primary responsibility of civil authorities: “For the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right” (1 Peter 2:14). A sloppy execution of punishment that affects the righteous is not good. Those who are righteous and upright should not be fined, struck down, or otherwise harmed by those in power.

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

It is assumed in this verse that the law under consideration is just and in harmony with divine precepts. Though there may be some ungodly laws that are created to praise and reward the wicked, those laws that are in harmony with the will of God will be opposed to the wicked. Therefore, if a ruler sides with the wicked, he has forsaken every legitimate law that agrees with divine law. A ruler who fears God and understands the importance of governing according to divine precepts will “strive (contend, KJV) with” the wicked.

Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days” (28:15-16).

Wicked, oppressive rulers will only harm their people. In doing so, they will not “prolong [their] days,” even though this may be their primary goal. They lack understanding in that they fail to see the virtue in doing what God expects of them in their position of authority.

Our Responsibility Toward Government

Most men will not find themselves in government, but subject to governing authorities. Therefore, it is important that we understand what our responsibility and attitude should be toward those in power.

My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change” (24:21).

In considering the danger of bad friends, we already noticed that trouble comes when one associates with “those who are given to change.” Sometimes change is necessary, such as when one is changing from a state of wickedness to a state of righteousness. But this verse is warning about those with a rebellious attitude who want change for the sake of change. Some civil authorities will roughly follow God’s instructions for them. Others will completely reject God’s will for them. Naturally, the righteous man will want stability with the good rulers and change with the evil rulers. However, some are not content no matter who is in charge. They want change when the wicked are in power and when the righteous are in power. We are not to keep company with those who have such a rebellious attitude.

He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend” (22:11).

Of course, this verse assumes that the king is righteous himself so that he values such qualities. But regardless of the character of the king, we must act with honor and integrity. This is the only right way to gain favor with those in authority. Those who are righteous will take note of it and respond with kindness.

The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; he who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life” (20:2).

The king has the power to do harm to those he desires to punish. This may be done properly (punishing evildoers – 20:26) or improperly (oppressing the righteous along with the wicked – 17:26). Regardless of the reason for the wrath that comes from those in power, we should do as Paul told the brethren in Thessalonica: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). We should not be looking for trouble, but should strive to conduct our lives in such a way that those in power – whether righteous or wicked – will leave us alone.

When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are a man of great appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for it is deceptive food” (23:1-3).

This passage warns us that not everything that is offered to us by those in power is helpful or good for us. Therefore, if the government offers us anything, before agreeing to accept it, we need to carefully consider the potential ramifications of our acceptance. There may be times in which it would be better to refuse what is offered to us than to accept what is offered along with whatever strings are attached to it.

Do not claim honor in the presence of the king. And do not stand in the place of great men; for it is better that it be said to you, ‘Come up here,’ than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen” (25:6-7).

We are to exercise humility in the presence of those in power so that if they take notice of us, it is to exalt us and not humble us. Jesus discussed this same principle in Luke 14:7-11.

Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice for man comes from the Lord” (29:26).

This is possibly the most important verse to remember in the book of Proverbs about our attitude toward civil authorities. Many people seek the favor of rulers because they see these leaders as holding the power of life or death over them (cf. 16:14-15). Yet we must remember that “justice for man comes from the Lord.” Any justice from civil authorities only comes as they comply with the will of God. Any injustice from civil authorities will one day be made right by God as He is over all, even those who rule over us in this life. Rather than looking to civil authority as our deliverer and the standard of righteousness, we need to look to God for these things. We must never forget the surpassing greatness of God and the inferiority and comparative weakness of human rulers.


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