Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl Proverbs 29:14-15 Wicked People Endanger a Society, Part 4

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Proverbs 29:14–15

[14] If a king faithfully judges the poor,

his throne will be established forever.

[15] The rod and reproof give Wisdom,

but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. (ESV)

Wicked People Endanger a Society, Part 4

v.14: This proverb builds on verse thirteen by encouraging truth and justice when dealing with the underprivileged. A judge is to be impartial, neither showing favor to the poor because he has empathy for them nor favoring the wealthy because they are influential (see Exodus 23:3 & Leviticus 19:15).

v.15 Compare this verse with Proverbs 29:3. That verse talks about a child who loves Wisdom. This verse notes that discipline and punishment are necessary to teach Wisdom. Because of the sinful nature with which we are born (Genesis 6:5; Psalm 51; Romans 3:9-20) and that remains a part of us until our death (Romans 7), all people require correction and even the threat of punishment according to the Law of God to check and restrain their sinful nature and self-justifying attitude. Even children who are not baptized or have not been instructed in the faith can be kept from disgracing their parents by the threat of punishment. Such a threat discourages sinful behavior. A child who does not receive such discipline brings shame to his mother because the mirror of the Law was not used to show him his sin. Application of the Law drives him to repentance, and the only solution for the problem of sin: Jesus Christ. Only the Gospel gives the true Wisdom of God in Christ. See Ephesians 6:4: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."