8/20/2023
Turn with me to Proverbs 16:10-15. These are our verses to begin studying and memorizing this week.
Proverbs 16:10-15 A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment. 11 A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; All the weights of the bag are His concern. 12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness. 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved. 14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it. 15 In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.
Introduction
Many commentators consider Solomon as having written the book of Proverbs as an instruction manual to train his sons and future kings. Given the many references to “my son” in the sermon section of the book and the nearly 30 proverbs which specifically speak to or about kings there is no doubt truth to this. Nonetheless, given the universally applicable truths aimed towards all groups of people— rich and poor, ruler and servant, king and citizen, naïve and wise, men and women, etc. there is a much broader scope to the book than just training kings. In the end, God used Solomon to produce a book of wisdom that fits all situations. Thus it seems best to appreciate the aspects that are geared towards kings as having a special purpose in Israel’s monarchy without pigeon holing the whole book into that one purpose.
Likewise, we should not consider those proverbs as outdated or irrelevant to us just because we are not kings and do not live in a kingdom. Rather, we should work to meditate on them to learn the wisdom that they contain which does apply to us and our situations. All of us do live under a God-ordained government with rulers and responsibilities. Many things remain the same even if the titles and details vary. So let’s take time to learn what God wants us to from these verses. To do that, we should first see their connection with the verses that come right before them.
The first 9 verses of this chapter form a section focusing on God’s sovereignty over all things. We learned that because of His sovereignty we are fully responsible to Him—the one who created everything for a purpose. There is no room for pride before Him. Indeed, because of our sin we all need a real faith in His way of redemption. This real faith results in a new life that reflects His lovingkindness and truth. We are to live in light of who He really is in all our ways. This ongoing fear of the Lord protects us from sin, and guides us throughout life.
Having laid this foundation of wisdom for our lives Solomon now moves on to investigating wisdom in other relationships and situations. Our relationship to God is the most important, and affects everything else. But how it affects those relationships and situations is something that we need instruction and guidance on. In the next 6 verses the focus turns to our relationship with the government over us. Under God, the government is generally the next most powerful authority over people. So it is essential that we learn what God expects from them in exercising that authority and from us in living under it.
As proverbs, these individual verses will not contain all of the responsibilities of kings and of the people toward them. That only comes in the fullness of Scripture. Yet here there is a unique grouping of proverbs which intentionally focus on a number of aspects of their relationship. Given that the focus has been on God’s sovereignty in the previous verses there is a continuation of that theme both in the king’s responsibility to God, as well as in the citizens of a kingdom being responsible to their king’s authority.
The first three verses give wisdom about the king’s responsibility for the way he should live in light of God’s sovereign authority. Then the last three verses give wisdom about the people’s responsibility for living in light of the king’s power and authority over them.
In addition to that way of looking at these verses, they are also nicely connected to each other in pairs. Verses 10 and 11 both refer to God. This happens indirectly through the “divine decision” reference in verse 10 and directly in verse 11. Verses 12 and 13 both focus on righteous living and speaking. Then finally, verses 14 and 15 focus on different aspects of one’s relationship to a king. Verse 14 deals with his disfavor, and verse 15 with his favor.
With that background, let’s take a look more closely at the first 2 verses.
10 A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.
The king speaks with divine authority, perfectly upholding justice. That is God’s purpose and the ideal we are responsible to.
This verse is a challenge to translate, because the verb in the second half could be accurately translated either his mouth “should not” err in judgment, or his mouth “will not” err in judgment. Bruce Waltke, as well as the ESV and KJV take it as he “will not” err, whereas the NASB, NKJV, NET, and Septuagint take it as “should not.”
If we see the context as presenting the perfect ideal representation of what human government or kingship would be under God’s delegated authority, or if we see it as representative of His future messianic kingly reign then it works better as the future “will not.” However, if we see this from the perspective that God has delegated rule and authority to earthly kings who are supposed to be speaking and carrying out justice on His behalf, then it makes much more sense to see this in the sense that they ought to be very careful to make sure that their mouths do not err when they make laws or decide justice.
Both realities are of course true. Frankly there are also connections to both present in the context. The previous verses and the next one both have in view God’s sovereign involvement in the plans and affairs of people. So it would be very natural for this to be emphasizing His perfect ideal standard for kings, judges, and government to be following His standards of justice and not making errors in their judgments. Likewise, we know that God’s messianic king will perfectly render divine decisions and never err in His judgment when all His enemies are put under His feet during His reign in the Millennium. We saw this a bit in previous verses (Proverbs 16:5, 7) when we looked at God’s future plan in Psalm 2, Philippians 2, and Zephaniah 3.
On the other hand, as a book with a large focus on helping king Solomon’s son and future descendents after him it is very natural to see exhortations being given here for them. They are to take considerable care in the way they rule and decide cases. That would parallel nicely the reminder in verse 12 that wicked acts are an abomination for a king to carry out. It also makes a nice contrast with the exhortations and instruction given to those under the king’s authority in verses 13-15.
Given that the meanings for both of the interpretations of this verse have support in the rest of Scripture and in the immediate context it makes it very hard to be dogmatic in translating it one way instead of the other. In addition, since proverbs are designed for careful consideration and broad application, and since they naturally contain word plays and double-entendre’s it would seem that both meanings are fully valid, appropriate, and probably even intended. Indeed, if Solomon had wanted to exclude one of those meanings or be more specific he could have used different verb tenses (present or imperative). Instead he picked one that was broader and could include both meanings (imperfect/jussive).
Given all that, what should we learn from this Proverb? God has divinely instituted government with authority over human relationships. He has a perfect standard for how that should work. Kings and rulers should abide by His standard of righteousness and justice which He has given to us in His Word. There should be no injustice. There should be no bribes or favoritism or perversion of justice. Then perfect attendance to the facts and discernment between situations would occur to bring no error in judgment. Sin would be justly and swiftly punished. Restitution would be appropriately granted. Justice would occur. Is that not what we would all want from a government?
If then, you are a king, judge, or have any kind of authority to make laws or execute them—whether in your family, church, town, state, or nation—this proverb has great importance. Your authority did not originate with you. Nor does the standard of righteousness by which you are to make and enforce laws. As Lady Wisdom, the personified wisdom of God, said in Proverbs 8:15, “By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.” Authority and righteous standards both originate with God, our holy, righteous creator. Because of that it is no light thing to wield the power and authority that you have. Because of its divine origination you have a divine responsibility to do what is right. You have a divine responsibility to make laws and rulings which are actually just, fair, and right. What you do impacts many people, and what you do is fully accountable to God as we have seen in the beginning verses of this chapter.
If you are a subject of a kingdom or any government this proverb also has great importance. Human government is not just some human made institution. We do not have the right to just disregard it at our whim. It was created and ordained by God to administer His justice between people.
Proverb in Comparison: When we compare this Proverb with the rest of Scripture it reiterates the seriousness of our responsibility before God on both sides of the matter.
On the side of the king, Psalm 72 is one of those passages. It is a prayer to God for the king which expresses a number of aspects of what his rule should be like. First it begins strongly petitioning God to give the king justice and righteousness. Then in verse 2 it says this about the king:
Psalm 72:2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!
Righteousness and justice are first order essentials for what God expects of rulers. As the chapter continues on, the psalm fleshes out a bit more what that looks like. He should defend the poor, deliver the needy, crush the oppressor, have pity on the weak, and redeem the oppressed. This is the kind of behavior that God expects from rulers and leaders. They are to be righteous protectors and helpers. That is what kings, presidents, senators, representatives, governors, mayors, judges, elders, fathers, and mothers are supposed to do in whatever area of government that has been allotted to them by God. We are to be righteous protectors who enforce justice and bring help in time of need.
On the side of citizens under the authority of a government Romans 13:1-7 emphasizes the seriousness of our role while also reiterating the purpose of government.
Romans 13:1-7 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Paul does not mince words here. He compares resisting government to resisting the ordinances of God which results in judgment and condemnation upon themselves. But he also does not forget to declare what God’s purpose is for government and rulers. They are to be His servants bearing the sword against evil doers. Essentially they are to be righteous protectors who enforce justice and bring help in time of need.
Scriptural Example: In Scripture we see an interesting example of God’s delegated government in Israel in 1 Samuel 8 and 12. There Israel demanded that the aging Samuel appoint them a king to judge over them and to fight their battles like the other nations.
God told Samuel that they had not rejected him but God from being king over them. Yet, God allowed them to proceed. He just had Samuel warn them about two aspects of what they wanted. First, in 1 Samuel 8:10-18 he warned that a king would take their children for his army and for his bureaucracy. He would also take their lands, food, and money until the people cried to God for relief. Taxes have always been a heavy burden from government! But God would not listen to their cries. They would be responsible to the government over them. Still the people wanted a king. So God gave them one.
Secondly, in 1 Samuel 12 Samuel also warned Israel that they would not really get what they wanted with this government because they were forgetting that they were still going to be responsible to God Himself and would still need Him to deliver them. They wanted a king to fight their battles for them, but the real problem was that they were walking wickedly in sin. Because of that God had been delivering them over into the hands of oppressors until they repented, called on God, and He provided a judge to deliver them. The problem was not that they did not have a king to rule over them and protect them. The problem was that they had sinful, disobedient hearts which forgot God and were going after idols. Having a king would not remove them from God’s discipline and sovereign authority.
Instead, they would now also be responsible to obey the king, and have his authority over them. This would be in addition to their responsibility to God and His authority remaining over them. The king himself would also be responsible to God. Together God would hold them all accountable.
It was wrong for them to try to shirk off their accountability to God and to try to seek deliverance in a king and through a government instead of in God. Yet God allowed it. He could and would mediate through a government and king which He divinely appointed. But in doing so, He made sure that they understood that they were still fully accountable to Him. They were just adding a layer of accountability to a king and government. Deliverance—or judgment—was still truly through God. Listen to how God reiterated their responsibility to Him in 1 Samuel 12:13-25.
1 Samuel 12:13-25 “Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 “If you will fear the LORD and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the LORD, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God. 15 “If you will not listen to the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the command of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers. 16 “Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes. 17 “Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the LORD, that He may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the LORD by asking for yourselves a king.” 18 So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. 19 Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king.” 20 Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 “You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile. 22 “For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the LORD has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. 23 “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. 24 “Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. 25 “But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away.”
The real issue always remains our hearts before God. Throughout history He has chosen to work through mediated governments which He has given authority and appointed over us. Nonetheless, we are all, including the governments, still fully accountable to Him. He is the one that we need to go to for deliverance. Our governments cannot truly deliver us. Only He can. The real issue is whether we will serve and worship God, or make idols and go after futile things.
Truth in Connection: As we apply this proverb to our lives we see that God has both appointed governments and designed a standard by which they are to operate. They are to mediate His standard of justice and righteousness. Because their authority ultimately comes from Him the leaders of governments are responsible to Him for how they lead and what they do. He will judge that. Vengeance is His. He will repay injustice, abuse, and sin, as Romans 12:20 declares.
We are extremely blessed in this country to live under a constitutional republic where individual rights are recognized to an extent hardly paralleled in history. Nonetheless, we too have a great responsibility to be subject to governing authorities. We must recognize that the government we do have has been ordained by God with His authority. That does not mean they will do everything righteously or truly in our best interest, but it does mean we must render obedience and honor to our leaders and the laws put in place—insofar as they are legal according to our governing constitution and not sin.
Beyond that, seeing God’s standard of what government ought to be we have the privilege and responsibility in our country to do our best to put leaders into place who are righteous protectors who enforce justice and bring help. That should be one of your main standards in determining who to vote for.
To go even one step further, we ourselves ought to be leading our families as righteous protectors and helpers. We ought to be raising our children to be righteous protectors and helpers of others in time of need. To do that, we need to be made righteous by faith in Jesus and then be honoring Him in our lives as His Word teachers us. Without Him and His Word we will just make up our own standards and end up misleading them. We will follow the standards of the world, of what we were taught in school, or what we learned from our favorite TV shows and movies. But as we to walk in God’s redeemed way of life as His word reveals, it will make us into ideal citizens, parents, and children. We will live righteously, pursue justice, protect the weak and helpless, obey the laws of the land, and bring help to the needy.
Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Have you seen the reality of your own sinful heart which falls short of God’s righteous, holy standards? He is the only way of redemption. He is the only way that we can truly be made righteous before God and begin to live righteously. He is the only hope that our nation truly has. He is the only hope that we as individuals truly have. Without Him every person will do what is right in their own eyes, pursue destructive paths, unjustly defy the government, defy God, and bring upon ourselves His judgment. May that not be how we live. May we live within God’s purpose for our government, and for our lives as citizens. May we raise our children to see God’s righteous purpose for government, to see our accountability to it, and to see our even greater accountability to Him.
Our next verse reiterates that God oversees all interactions of government and individual people in His concern for justice.
11 A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; All the weights of the bag are His concern.
God is the supreme overseer of the justness of every transaction. He cares about every single one.
Back in Proverbs 11:1 we saw that:
Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight.
There the emphasis was on how God viewed injustices and treating people fairly. We noted how the law in Deuteronomy 25:13-16 strongly condemned people cheating each other with false weights and measures. We also saw in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 how swindling is a sin which should keep us from even eating with a so-called brother or sister in Christ who behaves that way.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 gives an additional strong warning to swindlers by specifically mentioning that way of life would not allow them to inherit the kingdom of God. Being redeemed by faith in Jesus Christ meant that they were washed, sanctified, and changed from that manner of life. Continuing as a swindler does not match with that. It does not match the character of God and He will not tolerate it.
Here in our present proverb we see two different facets being emphasized. First, God is the standard of justice. He owns it. He determines it. And, secondly, God keeps track of everything that happens. He knows it. He sees it. It matters to Him.
God is the one who determines right from wrong in all our actions. He created us. He is the author and standard of righteousness. He is the one we must go to in order to know what is right. He is the one who will judge our actions and mete out the ultimate consequences. We are not the standard of righteousness and justice. We do not get to make it up or bend it to our liking. He is the standard for all that is holy, right, and good.
To go along with that He is perfectly omniscient. He knows everything that occurs. Nothing is hidden from Him. He sees every single way we try to cheat someone else. It is His concern. He knows if we do not scan every item at a self-checkout. It is His concern. He knows if we cheat on our taxes—or if we work hard to be honest and fix any mistake that might accidentally occur. It is His concern. He knows if we cheat on our work time or the effort that is owed to our employer. It is His concern.
Likewise, in our context of governments and citizens He is the standard of right and wrong for every single thing that is done. It is His concern. When governments allow their people to murder their unborn children He is the ultimate judge on that being evil—not the supreme court and not a state court. He sees it and it is His concern. When governments send their soldiers into other countries to unjustly steal land or resources He sees it and it is His concern. When governments turn a blind eye to oppression, crime, or outright racism by allowing the defenseless to be harmed or pillaged without real recourse He sees it and it is His concern.
When governments themselves make unjust laws and oppress their people He is the one who ultimately judges whether it is right or not. It is His concern. When people in government use their power to manipulate, silence, blackmail, or wrongly jail citizens it is His concern. They will be accountable to Him. He is the standard of right and wrong. There will be no escape. When people in government deceive others and wrongly enrich themselves it is His concern. He is the one who has delegated His authority to governments. He will hold those in government accountable for how they use their authority and power.
This verse is a powerful check on both our individual lives as well as on nations. God is the judge and nothing escapes His attention. He cares about every injustice, regardless of whether we consider it small or large. Our justifications, excuses, and attempts to hide things will not work with Him.
Scriptural Example: In Scripture we see a bit of an example of this proverb with Jacob and Laban in Genesis 29-31. Jacob agreed to work for Laban for 7 years to be able to marry Laban’s daughter Rachel. When the wedding came he tricked Jacob, substituted his other daughter, and conned Jacob into working for him for another 7 years. Then when that time was up he got him to work for him in exchange for some of the livestock. But he kept changing the way Jacob’s earnings would be calculated in order to try to take advantage of him. God saw it all. He made sure that every time the wages were changed the way the herds would multiply would end up benefitting Jacob. God was the standard of justice and Laban was not abiding by it. He was not trying to be fair. He was trying to take an unfair advantage of Jacob. It was God’s concern. So He made sure to bless Jacob and turn Laban’s devious machinations upside down.
God is the standard of what is right. When we deviate from it, God sees and cares. Because of that He will do something about it. He will bring justice. Sometimes He does it right away. Sometimes it is after a while, and sometimes it will not happen until God’s judgment. But none of it escapes His notice and care.
Proverb in Comparison: When we compare this proverb with other Scriptures we see the importance of justice in God’s eyes. The Psalms have many references to His justice. For instance:
Psalm 37:28 For the LORD loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.
Psalm 89:11-14 The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all it contains, You have founded them. 12 The north and the south, You have created them; Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Your name. 13 You have a strong arm; Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.
Psalm 111:7-10 The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure. 8 They are upheld forever and ever; They are performed in truth and uprightness. 9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
God loves justice. It is the foundation of His throne. What He does in all His actions is truth and justice. In light of that, it is interesting to note in that last passage that it also mentions that God has sent redemption to His people. Because of His justice the only hope that we have, as depraved sinners, is if He makes a way of salvation, redemption, and forgiveness.
As we look further in Scripture, we see that is why Jesus, as Messiah, came and is coming again. In this world it often looks and feels like there is no justice. But God’s justice is being fulfilled in Jesus. Notice what Isaiah 9:6-7 prophesies about the Messiah who will bring in a perfect, just government:
Isaiah 9:6-7 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.
Matthew 12:18-21 quotes from Isaiah 42 and applies those prophecies about justice to Jesus:
Matthew 12:18-21 “BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL is WELL-PLEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES. 19 “HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS. 20 “A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY. 21 “AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE.”
Jesus came the first time as a suffering servant who did not raise his voice, but went as a sheep to the shearers to give His life as a ransom for many as He dealt with the sin of all those who would believe in Him. But when He comes back again He will lead justice to victory. He will be quiet no longer. He will reign on the throne of David and establish His eternal kingdom with justice and righteousness.
All of us are sinners. All of us have broken God’s law and deserve the judgment of His justice. But before He carried out His justice Jesus came to bear our penalty—death—on the cross Himself. There is no other way for us to be reconciled to God. We either trust in Jesus to take our punishment and receive life and forgiveness from Him, or we will receive the justice that we deserve when He returns and judges all people. His name is the only name in which there is hope. His name is the only name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. There is salvation and forgiveness in none other. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. Have you trusted in Him as your Lord and Savior? God sees every injustice and every sin. In His holiness He cares. He will not and cannot ignore it. The only way to deal with it and yet also accept us back into His presence is through what Jesus did in our place. Do not wait until it is too late. Turn from trusting in and following your sin and trust in Jesus Christ. Place your life, your eternal hope in Him. He will redeem you and save from the wrath of God that you deserve.
Truth in Connection: Because God cares about the justness of people’s dealings with each other kings and leaders ought to pursue justice and righteousness. If God cares about every little deceptive rip-off and injustice which occurs between individuals then He definitely notices and cares about how people are wholesale stolen from, mistreated, deceived, and oppressed by their rulers.
For us as individuals, the truth is plain. Since God is the God of justice and cares about every sin that is committed, we ought to walk in holiness and righteousness in all our relationships and actions. For those who have trusted in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, this should be a reminder that there is no “little” sin or injustice which escapes God’s notice. We ought therefore to live in the fear of the Lord and have His perspective on all of our behavior. We ought to treat all people righteously and justly. Since God has noticed and then with His very own blood paid for and forgiven each and every one of our injustices, we ought not to treat our sin trivially or return to injustices. May we walk in holiness, measuring our lives by God’s standard of righteousness and not minimize any sin that we are tempted to commit or have committed.
Conclusion
If you have any questions on any of this or want help in coming to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior please come talk with us. We are available. Let’s pray.
© 2023, Kevin A. Dodge, All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB),Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
English (US) · 