December 28th, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Just Leadership

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Lord, through Your Holy Word, may I find the wisdom to be a good leader and the humility to be led.

Read Proverbs 28:1-28

[1] The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. [2] When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. [3] A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. [4] Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. [5] Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. [6] Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. [7] A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. [8] Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. [9] If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. [10] Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. [11] The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. [12] When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding. [13] Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. [14] Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. [15] Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. [16] A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. [17] Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back. [18] The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit. [19] Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. [20] A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. [21] To show partiality is not good- yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread. [22] The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. [23] Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue. [24] Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys. [25] The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper. [26] Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. [27] Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. [28] When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Meditate

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us… if it is to lead, do it diligently” (Rom. 12:6a,8b).

Think Further

 

Chapters 28 and 29 belong to a second collection of Solomon sayings, and should be read within the ongoing search to understand how “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (1:7). A close look at the apparently random sayings shows two key themes: treatment of the poor and the conduct of rulers. This reminds us that leadership is judged by its response to the disadvantaged—a good reminder for politicians as for all leaders! The lives of leaders illustrate why it is better to be poor and blameless than rich and perverse (6). Tyranny contains its own ironic punishments: a loss of perspective (16), a perpetual insecurity (17), the inevitability of seeing one’s wealth used by others (8), and a failure of relationship (12).
But if we are feeling complacent, verse 3 is a wake-up call. The Hebrew speaks of “a poor man who oppresses the poor.” The urge to tyranny lurks at the door for each of us, even those who have known oppression ourselves. When power falls into our hands, we are as likely as the next person to become like the rain which, instead of watering the crops, destroys them (3). We too can oppress others.
However, leadership does not have to be like that. “Order” can come from insight and knowledge (2), and the righteous thrive under godly leadership (28). Since Christians in leadership are not immune from the urge to tyranny, we do well to ponder the call to wisdom in some of the words in this chapter: to blamelessness, discernment, a listening ear, confession, hard work, faithfulness, understanding, generosity and a properly placed trust in God. In such is found the true art of the leader.

Chapters 28 and 29 belong to a second collection of Solomon sayings, and should be read within the ongoing search to understand how “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (1:7). A close look at the apparently random sayings shows two key themes: treatment of the poor and the conduct of rulers. This reminds us that leadership is judged by its response to the disadvantaged—a good reminder for politicians as for all leaders! The lives of leaders illustrate why it is better to be poor and blameless than rich and perverse (6). Tyranny contains its own ironic punishments: a loss of perspective (16), a perpetual insecurity (17), the inevitability of seeing one’s wealth used by others (8), and a failure of relationship (12).

But if we are feeling complacent, verse 3 is a wake-up call. The Hebrew speaks of “a poor man who oppresses the poor.” The urge to tyranny lurks at the door for each of us, even those who have known oppression ourselves. When power falls into our hands, we are as likely as the next person to become like the rain which, instead of watering the crops, destroys them (3). We too can oppress others.

However, leadership does not have to be like that. “Order” can come from insight and knowledge (2), and the righteous thrive under godly leadership (28). Since Christians in leadership are not immune from the urge to tyranny, we do well to ponder the call to wisdom in some of the words in this chapter: to blamelessness, discernment, a listening ear, confession, hard work, faithfulness, understanding, generosity and a properly placed trust in God. In such is found the true art of the leader.

 

Apply

We all lead somebody. Considering the call to wisdom for leadership listed above, how would you rate your practice of leadership? Pray to be a godly leader and resolve to pray for those in leadership over you.

Closing prayer

Lead me, Lord, in Your way. Fill me with Your divine wisdom and love to lead someone in the right direction—to You.

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