Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl Proverbs 29:16-19 Final Advice for Kings & Leaders, Part 1

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Proverbs 29:16–19

[16] When the wicked increase, transgression increases,

but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

[17] Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;

he will give delight to your heart.

[18] Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,

but blessed is he who keeps the law.

[19] By mere words a servant is not disciplined,

for though he understands, he will not respond. (ESV)

Final Advice for Kings & Leaders, Part 1

v.16: This proverb is advice for leaders to remind them that when wicked behavior is allowed to proliferate and is not corrected by discipline and punishment, they will increase and give birth to still more wicked behavior. It will seem as though a society is spinning out of control, and the righteous may waver, not seeing an end. The second line is an assurance to the righteous who are not swayed by such corruption that God's promises will have their ultimate fulfillment on the last day when our prayers are finally fully answered at Jesus' return in glory. On that day, the righteous in Christ will be delivered from sin, death, and the devil forever (1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 6:9-11), with the advent of eternal life.

v.17: This proverb again speaks of the blessings that children raised with discipline bring to their parents. The promised blessing lay in the future—parents may have to wait a lifetime to see the full benefit of their Wisdom passed on to their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6; 29:15).

v.18: This proverb is an observation that the revelation of God’s Law is necessary to prevent chaos in society (the first use of the Law: the Curb) as well as preserving God’s people in faith (the second use: the Mirror, which shows us our sin and our need for a savior, and the third use: the Guide, which shows us how to live a God-pleasing life). The second line points to the complete revelation of God, both Law and Gospel. The one who keeps the law and repents when he does not lays claim to the promised blessings of the Gospel, both now and in eternal life.

v.19 This verse speaks of a servant who must be disciplined more firmly than with words because he fails to respond to warnings. Eli’s sons failed to listen to their father’s warnings (1 Samuel 2:22–25), and later God judged the father for not taking stronger measures to restrain his sons (1 Samuel 3:13). Like children, servants need discipline that is sufficient to compel them to do what is right, or else they will never learn to be self-disciplined.