Tag: Christianity

Respect of Persons – Part 1

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Proverbs 24:23 …It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

“Respect of persons” means showing partiality or favouritism, particularly when making a judgment or decision that should be based upon truth and justice. The principle is not that we must treat every person identically in every circumstance. Different situations legitimately require different responses. Rather, Scripture is warning against allowing personal preference, prejudice, fear, friendship, wealth, status, or advantage to influence our judgment. A judge must judge according to what is true, not according to who is standing before him.

Eight reasons partiality is wrong: [1] Partiality breaks God’s law. God specifically commanded Israel’s judges: “Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great” (Deut. 1:17). And again: “Ye shall not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons…” (Deut. 16:19). Justice belongs to God, and those exercising judgment are therefore required to represent His standard rather than their own preferences. [2] Partiality is unlike God. God Himself is impartial. “For there is no respect of persons with God” (Rom. 2:11). God does not judge people according to their wealth, social standing, appearance, or influence. He sees the heart and judges righteously. Therefore, those who claim to follow God should strive to reflect His impartial character. To be continued…

To The Wise

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Proverbs 24:23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

With verse 23, Scripture introduces another collection of sayings concerning the practical conduct of the wise. The principles that follow deal particularly with justice, integrity, speech, work, relationships, and responsibility.

The wise person is not merely someone who knows Scripture or can give good advice. Biblical wisdom is demonstrated by how a person conducts himself when dealing with other people.

‘These things also belong to the wise.’ The word “wise” refers to those who have learned to live according to God’s principles. Wisdom must affect every area of life, including how we treat people who are different from us or who cannot benefit us.

A person may be knowledgeable but still be unjust. A person may know the right answer but still show favouritism. A person may claim to fear God but treat people differently because of wealth, social position, appearance, family connections, influence, nationality, friendship, or personal advantage.

Such behaviour is inconsistent with biblical wisdom.

Overall Spiritual Lesson

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Proverbs 24:7-22 This section gives a remarkably complete picture of practical wisdom.

The wise person: Seeks wisdom rather than trusting his own understanding. Does not deliberately devise evil. Guards his thoughts because sinful actions begin in the heart. Accepts correction instead of becoming a scorner. Remains steadfast in adversity. Helps protect the innocent. Remembers that God sees the heart. Trusts that God will ultimately judge every person’s works. Treasures wisdom because it nourishes the soul. Refuses to envy the apparent prosperity of the wicked. Does not rejoice when an enemy suffers. Respects legitimate authority. Avoids unnecessary rebellion and disorder. Trusts God rather than being frightened by the temporary success of evil men.

The repeated theme is that wisdom looks beyond the immediate situation. The wicked may prosper temporarily, enemies may appear to triumph, and the righteous may experience repeated setbacks. But God sees what man cannot see, knows the heart, judges righteously, and preserves those who trust Him.

The righteous may fall, but he rises again. The wicked may rise, but their apparent prosperity will ultimately be extinguished if they refuse to repent.

That is why the believer should not envy the wicked, imitate them, or join their schemes. God’s wisdom may require patience, endurance, and faith, but its final outcome is far more secure than anything the world can offer.

Their Calamity – Part 1

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Proverbs 24:22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

This verse continues the warning of verse 21 concerning those who rebel against established authority and become involved with those who are continually seeking change and upheaval.

‘For their calamity shall rise suddenly.’ Those who place their confidence in rebellion, political power, human movements, or resistance to authority should remember that human plans are uncertain and human power is temporary. A movement may appear strong today and collapse tomorrow. A ruler may seem secure and suddenly lose his position. Political systems can change, and those who place their hope in them can find themselves disappointed.

The verse therefore warns against becoming entangled in rebellion as though human beings have ultimate control over the course of history.

This does not mean that every political change is wrong, nor that every government deserves unquestioning approval. Scripture allows for lawful reform and for God’s people to stand against commands that contradict His Word. But the believer must remember that ultimate justice and the complete overthrow of evil governments are not accomplished by human political movements. God remains sovereign over kings and kingdoms.

To be continued…

Meddle Not with Them – Part 4

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Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

This gives the believer a proper perspective. We do not have to carry the burden of fixing the entire political world. God has already declared its final outcome. At Christ’s Second Coming, He will bring the kingdoms of this world under His righteous rule. What human beings cannot accomplish completely through political change, Christ will accomplish perfectly through His kingdom.

Therefore, Proverbs 24:21 calls us to be neither politically indifferent nor rebelliously consumed, but wise, prayerful, responsible, and faithful. We can seek what is right while recognising that perfect justice awaits the return of the King of kings.

Human governments may change, rulers may rise and fall, and earthly systems may remain imperfect, but the kingdom of Christ will endure forever. Amen!!

Meddle Not with Them – Part 3

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Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

Daniel (Dan. 7:18) continues: “But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.”

The book of Revelation likewise declares that believers are made “kings and priests unto God” (Rev. 1:6). This points to the future reign of God’s people with Christ, when the authority of earthly kingdoms will ultimately give way to the righteous rule of Christ and His saints.

Therefore, when we see corruption, injustice, or wicked leadership, we should not conclude that it is our responsibility to personally overthrow every corrupt government. Our responsibility is to remain faithful to God within the circumstances in which He has placed us. We can pray, speak truth, obey the law where it does not conflict with God’s Word, defend those who are being wronged, and seek righteous reform. But we must leave the ultimate overthrow of evil kingdoms and the establishment of perfect government to Christ.

To be continued…

Meddle Not with Them – Part 2

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Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? 

Even when governments are corrupt, we should recognise the limits of what human beings can ultimately accomplish. We may be able to influence particular laws, policies, leaders, or circumstances through lawful means, but we cannot establish a perfectly righteous government through human political effort. Every human government remains subject to the weaknesses and sinfulness of the people who govern it.

This is why the Christian’s ultimate hope is not placed in political rulers, political movements, or earthly governments. The complete overthrow of evil and the establishment of perfect righteousness will take place when Jesus Christ returns and establishes His kingdom.

Daniel (Dan. 7:13-14) saw this future kingdom in his vision: “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven…” He (Christ) then received: “dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him.”

Unlike earthly kingdoms, Christ’s kingdom will not be characterised by corruption, injustice, selfish ambition, or changing political agendas. His authority will be righteous, permanent, and universal.

To be continued…

Meddle Not with Them – Part 1

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Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? 

Scripture gives two authorities that should be respected: The LORD and the king (ruler). The fear of the Lord is foundational. God is the ultimate authority. The king represents legitimate civil authority. Scripture does not teach blind obedience to rulers when they command something contrary to God’s Word. God’s authority remains supreme. Nevertheless, believers are generally commanded to respect lawful government and authorities.

Romans 13:1-7 and 1Peter 2:13-17 develop the principle that believers are to respect lawful authority. This does not mean that every government or ruler is righteous, nor does it mean that Christians must approve of everything a government does. Scripture records rulers who were corrupt, unjust, and hostile to God, and God’s people sometimes had to refuse commands that directly contradicted God’s Word. The apostles themselves continued to obey God when human authorities commanded them to stop preaching Christ (Acts 5:29).

The words “meddle not with them that are given to change” therefore provide a warning against becoming consumed by rebellion, political upheaval, or a continual desire to overthrow established authority. There is a legitimate place for exposing injustice, speaking truth, praying for rulers, defending the innocent, and seeking lawful and peaceful reform. But the believer must be careful not to allow opposition to a corrupt government to become an obsession that produces anger, hatred, disorder, or rebellion against authority itself.

To be continued…

Be Not Envious of the Wicked

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Proverbs 24:19-20 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. 

‘Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked.’ This repeats a theme already seen in Proverbs 24:1 (see Psalm 37 and 73). The believer is not to envy the wicked, become frustrated because of their apparent prosperity, or allow their success to disturb his faith. The wicked may appear to prosper while the righteous struggle. This can be difficult to understand.

Psalm 73 describes exactly this struggle. Asaph admitted that he became envious when he saw the prosperity of the wicked. The answer was to look beyond the present circumstances and consider their final end.

The wicked have no lasting future apart from repentance. The imagery of the candle being put out speaks of the extinction of their prosperity, influence, and continuing legacy. The light that appears bright for a time eventually disappears.

This does not necessarily mean that every wicked person’s descendants will literally disappear. Rather, the expression emphasises the temporary nature of the wicked person’s apparent success and legacy. The believer therefore must not envy what will not last.

Rejoice Not – Part 2

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Proverbs 24:17-18 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 

‘Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.’ God sees not only the outward circumstances but also the attitude of the heart. A person may outwardly appear innocent while inwardly rejoicing over another person’s suffering. God sees the heart.

Scripture gives a serious warning: if we rejoice over an enemy’s calamity, God may be displeased with our attitude and show mercy where we expected judgment.

Biblical examples of rejoicing over another’s fall: [1] Tyre rejoiced when Jerusalem was destroyed and anticipated benefiting from her downfall (Ezk. 26:2-6). [2] Ammon rejoiced over the destruction of Israel (Ezk. 25:6). [3] Edom stood by and rejoiced when Jerusalem fell rather than helping God’s people (Obad. 11-14). God condemned these attitudes.

Examples of mourning: [1] David mourned over Saul and Jonathan despite Saul having been his enemy (2Sam. 1:11-12). He also demonstrated compassion toward those who opposed him (Ps. 35:13-14). [2] Jeremiah was deeply grieved over the sins and destruction of his people: “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears…” (Jer. 9:1). A righteous heart does not delight in destruction.