Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: Wisdom for a King & His Subjects-Proverbs 16:8-13

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Proverbs 16:8–13

[8] Better is a little with righteousness

than great revenues with injustice.

[9] The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.

[10] An oracle is on the lips of a king;

his mouth does not sin in judgment.

[11] A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;

all the weights in the bag are his work.

[12] It is an abomination to kings to do evil,

for the throne is established by righteousness.

[13] Righteous lips are the delight of a king,

and he loves him who speaks what is right. (ESV)

Wisdom for a King & His Subjects

v.8 Verse eight begins a section that continues to the end of chapter sixteen, containing Wisdom for a king and the people he rules. This proverb is another of those that teach us the priority of the spiritual over the material. It is better to have little in the material world and, at the same time, be rich in righteousness. This is contrasted with one who acquires enormous profits through unrighteous means in this life. Left unsaid—is such a one not poor in matters of the soul?

v.9 We make our plans, and God makes His. We make our plans, but it is God that permits the steps we take to get there. God can and does accomplish more than we can ever be aware of or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). These things are already accomplished in Christ Jesus and His death and resurrection. By redeeming us in Christ, He has prepared a place for us in eternity beyond our comprehension (1 Corinthians 2:9).

v.10 This verse reminds us that rulers are God's representatives and that they are to be obeyed since "there is no authority except from God" (Romans 13:1-7). We modern people probably choke when we read those words, considering the state of leadership in the current age. But this verse also reminds the rulers themselves that they should not abuse the authority entrusted to them but govern according to God's will and Word (John 19:11).

v.11 This proverb is to be interpreted in the context of just rulers, not mere commerce. God wants righteousness and fairness in our courts, with the scale of justice reflecting His standards of holiness.

v.12 Rulers are to think about the long-term stability of their position rather than the wealth and power they can obtain through abuse of their rule.

v.13 Those who serve or interact with government officials that good rulers who wish to govern well appreciate honesty in their advisers.