Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.
Whoever is patient has great understanding,
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.
Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.
Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin condemns any people.
A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

• Proverbs 14:28-35

Proverbs 14:32 righteous … death ”Cf. 23:18. Hope in death for the righteous is a central OT theme (cf. Job 19:25; Pss. 31:5; 49:14, 15; 73:24; Eccl. 11:9; Is. 26:19; Dan. 12:1, 2).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

The first of these proverbs is a logical economic truth.  Some might think there is nothing that the king could do about the number of his subjects, but the last verse in Proverbs 14 gives a hint.  In fact, Solomon’s son, Rehoboam had both proverbs impact his kingdom from the start.  His foolish cronies advised him to increase taxes when the people were on the verge of revolt.  With ten tribes gone, Rehoboam had little left to rule.

In fact, the next of the proverbs might have helped.  Patience and prayer on Rehoboam’s part may have led to accepting the wise council from Solomon’s advisors.  And to take that further, a heart at peace can make better decisions.  Part of Rehoboam’s issue was about quick gains.

A recurring theme in the Bible, as Rev. MacArthur points out about Proverbs 14:32, Proverbs 14:31 points out that God is looking after the poor.  Anyone mistreating the poor or making people who are not poor become poor will be dealt with.

But to see this verse and the other OT verses regarding life after death, it makes me think that the Sadducees were the Liberals of their day, picking and choosing what they wished to believe, but were the afterlife-believing Pharisees any better.  While the Sadducees did not believe in the afterlife, the Pharisees were the first to oppress, or at least ignore the poor.

Proverbs 14:33 is much like verse 30, in that the wise is calm and the heart is at rest, but for the fool, the verses go in different directions: envy rotting the body or the fool lets their foolishness be known.  This could be from the recurring theme of opening your mouth too often or too quickly, but it could be from foolish actions also.

Proverbs 14:34 goes back to a nation’s wisdom, or sin.  This could be the governing people, but we see from the history of the kingdom of Judah that even though the king might exclusively worship God, the people often did not.  In some cases, the king did not destroy the high places where false god worship occurred, which nearly encouraged the people to continue what they had been doing.

And now let us sing.

The following song is Lead on, Oh King Eternal.  It is sung by the First United Methodist church Sanctuary Choir, Houston, Texas.  While there are warnings in these proverbs for the next king that met deaf ears, the King of kings, Jesus will lead us in justice and wisdom.

“Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest Thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation thy grace has made us strong;
And now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King eternal, till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King eternal, we follow, not with fears,
For gladness breaks like morning where’er Thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted o’er us, we journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest; lead on, O God of might.”

• Ernest W. Shurtleff, Lead On, Oh King Eternal

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
We need Your wisdom.  We make quick decisions.  We are under pressure to decide now, when we should be going to You in prayer and waiting.  Help us to be mindful that the poor need our help.  We should do all things in Love.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.