The Book of Proverbs Practical Wisdom for Everyday Life. Lesson 11: Established by Justice and Governed by Good Counsel

Transcription

1 The Book of Proverbs Practical Wisdom for Everyday Life Lesson 11: Established by Justice and Governed by Good Counsel

2 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. Proverbs 11:1

3 Established by Justice and Governed by Good Counsel A wise king s rule will be established by just rule and judgment in all matters He will also seek and be guided by good and wise counsel

4 Outline Rulers Servants Justice Counsel Rebuke

5 Key Lessons Last Week Children are to be accepted as sacred trusts from God; they are to be trained, cherished, and disciplined with love. A friend who is a brother in Christ can sometimes be closer and more helpful than our family. Let's be true friends for one another. Love forgives. It overlooks wrongs and moves on. Do we?

6 Key Lessons Sometimes it takes a long time by diligent and persistent work to bring about change. Excelling in what you do is the best way to gain the favor of rulers or superiors. Rescue the perishing. You are your neighbor s keeper; look out for them. The Lord will hold us accountable for how we respond. Appreciate the value of counselors. Get several opinions before making important decisions.

7 Rulers Their Behavior 14:28 - A king is honored or gloried by the number of his followers A king without subjects is like a teacher without students; the title is meaningless. He is powerless. 16:10 "The king may speak divination but God directs actions which he says are just." (Robert Alden) What may look like chance is really under God's control. 16:12 - An abomination to commit wickedness 17:7 - Lying unbecoming a ruler 20:28 - These preserve king: mercy, truth, lovingkindness 28:15 - Wrath of a wicked ruler like a lion or bear. 28:16 - A foolish ruler will be a great oppressor. 29:2 - Type of ruler causes rejoicing or groaning

8 Rulers Their Behavior 29:2 - Type of ruler causes rejoicing or groaning 29:4 - A ruler that can be bribed will not ensure justice Land will be "overthrown" if the king can be bought 29:12 - A ruler that pays attention to lies will have liars 29:13 - The ruler who is an oppressor is fully aware of what he is doing as is the Lord 31:1 - King Lemuel's admonitions to his son 31:2-3 - Avoid fornication 31:4-5 - Kings should not drink wine or intoxicating drink This will cloud their judgment and will cause them to pervert justice

9 Rulers Their Subjects Behavior 16:13 - Kings delight in those who speak what is right 16:14 - King's wrath is deadly, but wise will appease it 23:1-3 - When at a banquet with a ruler be careful of your conduct As Alden writes, "One must be cautious and wise in the presence of superiors. Some may be so awed by the elegant surroundings and food that they miss out on the real purpose of the occasion. Others will overeat and reveal their greed and indulgence. The wise will eat with moderation and restraint, constantly aware of what the host is saying." 24: Fears the king; does not associate with those "given to change" (rebels)

10 Rulers Their Subjects Behavior 25:6-7 - Do not be presumptuous in the presence of a ruler Jesus used same illustration in a parable (Lk. 14:7-11) Note that last line of v. 7 belongs with v. 8. ESV: What your eyes have seen do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? 25:15 - Can persuade with persistence; long forbearance Sometimes it takes a long time by diligent and persistent work to bring about change. Is there change that you would like to see in your business, your country, perhaps even in the church? May take long forbearance to bring it about

11 The Ruler and Counsel 25:1 - Tells us about how we got chapters :2 - This was a scholar king - he searched out matters 25:3 Wise king is careful about what he reveals and to whom Those in positions of power need to be careful with information which they are privy to 25:4-5 Take away wicked men from the court of the king and wise men will rule through him Just as you would purify silver by melting and removing the dross, so must wicked be removed

12 The King s Favor or Wrath 16:15 - His favor is a blessing Like a rain cloud in spring; life to a dry and thirsty land. 22:11 - King will befriend the one who is pure in heart and has gracious speech 22:29 - One who excels in his work will stand before kings Excelling in what you do is the best way to gain the favor of rulers. 29:26 - Many may seek the favor of the ruler, but should seek it from the Lord Many will seek favor from government, but they should strive to please the Lord. Who do we trust more to protect our rights? The courts or the Lord?

13 The King s Favor or Wrath 14:35 A king's favor will go to the wise servant But his wrath is against the foolish 19:12 King's favor is a blessing; like dew on grass - a shepherd's delight Contrasted with his wrath - like a lion 20:2 Wrath of a king like a lion Do not cause a ruler to become angry

14 Rulers Regarding Gifts and Judgment Gifts 18:16 - Gifts to the right people open doors Describes a truth, but doesn't commend it If the great are only accessible through gifts, then they will become corrupt judges (17:23) 19:6 - Gifts may entreat favor of the noble You may curry favor with gifts or even lavish praise, but be careful. Gaining favor this way may backfire. Judgment 20:8 - Sits in judgment scattering evil with his eyes 20:26 - Sifts out the wicked 24: The wise king will judge impartially 29:14 - Judges poor with truth - throne established

15 Rulers Guidance, Order, Turmoil Guidance for the Ruler 21:1 - The Lord is in control Order or Turmoil 28:2 - Turmoil vs. Order When there is turmoil and transgression in a nation, there will be unrest, competition for rule, shortened reigns by kings, etc. Wise king brings stability, peace, and reign is longer 30: Order in animal kingdom as in kingdoms of men We should recognize the superiority as well as inferiority in the world of animals and man We must not try to resist that order or change it for that would result in disaster

16 Servants Their Behavior 17:2 - A wise servant may rise to power and enjoy inheritance rather than a son. Seek wisdom no matter your station in life 27:18 - Servant who waits on his master will be honored 30:21-23 Four things which are intolerable because of their gross inappropriateness The natural order of things is best left alone Giving power to the incompetent or rewards to undeserving is to ask for social upheaval

17 Servants Treatment 29:19 A servant who understands but refuses obedience is a rebel He can only be corrected by punishment 29:21 Servants should be corrected properly or they will disappoint Some translate the last half as "will bring grief" 30:10 Do not malign a servant to his master Anyone who doesn't mind his own business will pay for it

18 Justice Witnesses 18:17 - Don't listen to just one side 19:28 - Disreputable one scorns justice Under oath means nothing to the corrupt witness 24: Do not witness without cause 31:8-9 - Plead the case of the defenseless and disadvantaged Going to Court 25:8-10 Do not be hasty in going to court; try to settle it first Partiality 18:5 - Do not be partial to the wicked 24: Not good to show partiality

19 Justice Finding truth 20:12 - Two valuable means given by the Lord to determine truth 28:5 - Those who seek the Lord have understanding and will do justice Landmarks 22:28 - Do not remove landmarks (boundary markers) 23: Do not abuse the disadvantaged Neighbors 24: Rescue the perishing You are your neighbors keeper; look out for them I may wish to turn away, but the Lord will hold me accountable for how I respond

20 Justice The Lord's view 11:1; 20:23 - Dishonest scales an abomination 16:11 - Honest business practices are His desire 17:15 - An abomination to justify wicked or condemn just 21:3 - Justice and righteousness better than sacrifice 29:26 - True justice comes from the Lord, not from the ruler How many people honor the government more than the Lord today? Value 16:8 - Better little than vast revenues without justice

21 Justice Consequences 21:7 The wicked will be found out; justice will prevail 21:15 A joy for the just to do justice 26:27 Evil purposes will backfire Vengeance 20:22 Do not take your own vengeance

22 Counsel Heeding Wise Counsel 12:15; 13:10 - He who heeds counsel is wise 19:20 - Listen and receive - wise when you grow older 20:18 - Good plans are established by wise counsel The Lord's counsel 19:21 - Man may plan, but the Lord determines 21:30 - No wisdom, understanding, or counsel will succeed if it is against the Lord No one is wise, bright, or clever who is opposed to the Lord. Wise men by definition are on the Lord's side. 21:31 - Victory in battle comes from God

23 Counsel Deceitful Counsel 12:5 - Counsels of wicked are deceitful 18:1 - One who isolates himself in his opinions does it for attention Sometimes people play devil's advocate or take opposite views just for attention Casting lots 16:33 - Sometimes resorting to lots is necessary, but the Lord ultimately determines Examples: Matthias as an apostle (Acts 1:23-26); Achan as a thief (Josh. 7:16-20); Jonathan as soldier who ate in a fast (1 Sam. 14:41-43); Jonah (Jon. 1:7)

24 Counsel Its Value 11:14 - Where there are none, the people fall People should get several opinions before they make important decisions If we rely only on feelings while rejecting good advice in making such decisions, we may live to regret it 15:22 - Plans go awry without counsel 24:5-6 - In a multitude of counselors there is safety 12:20 - Counselors of peace have joy 27:9 - A friend gives hearty counsel

25 Rebuke Heeding or Refusing It Proverb Heeding Refusing 10:17 Keeps way of life Refuses goes astray 12:1 Loves loves knowledge Hates is stupid 13:1 Wise son heeds Scoffer does not listen 13:18 Regards is honored Disdains poverty and shame 15:5 Prudent receives Fool despises 15:10 Hates it will die 15:12 Scoffer does not love them 15:32 Heeds gets understanding Disdains despises own soul 29:1 Hardens neck will be destroyed

26 Rebuke Effectiveness 17:10 More effective for a wise man than 100 blows on fool 19:25 One with understanding - will discern knowledge 20:30 Blows that hurt - cleanse away evil Result 15:31 Hears rebukes - will abide among wise 28:23 Will find more favor than the flatterer

27 Key Lessons Sometimes it takes a long time by diligent and persistent work to bring about change. Excelling in what you do is the best way to gain the favor of rulers or superiors. Rescue the perishing. You are your neighbor s keeper; look out for them. The Lord will hold us accountable for how we respond. Appreciate the value of counselors. Get several opinions before making important decisions.