A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. A land in rebellion has many rulersThis phrase highlights the chaos and instability that result from rebellion against God’s ordained order. In biblical history, Israel experienced periods of rebellion, such as during the time of the Judges, when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ( Judges 21:25). This led to frequent changes in leadership and a lack of consistent governance. The phrase suggests that when a nation turns away from righteousness, it becomes fragmented, leading to power struggles and a proliferation of leaders, each vying for control. This can be seen in the divided kingdom period after Solomon's reign, where Israel and Judah had multiple kings, often leading to further idolatry and moral decline. but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order
This part of the verse contrasts the chaos of rebellion with the stability brought by wise leadership. A man of understanding and knowledge refers to a leader who fears the Lord and seeks His wisdom, as seen in Solomon's request for wisdom to govern the people (1 Kings 3:9-12). Such a leader can bring peace and stability, as they align their governance with God’s principles. This echoes the biblical theme that true wisdom and understanding come from God (Proverbs 9:10). The phrase also points to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3), who brings order and peace to those who follow Him. Persons / Places / Events 1. Land in RebellionThis phrase refers to a nation or community experiencing chaos, disorder, or moral decline. It suggests a state of instability and lack of cohesive leadership. 2. Many RulersThis indicates a situation where there is a proliferation of leaders, often due to a lack of strong, centralized authority. It can imply confusion and competing interests. 3. Man of Understanding and KnowledgeThis person embodies wisdom and discernment, capable of bringing stability and order to a chaotic situation. The Hebrew words for "understanding" (bin) and "knowledge" (da'at) emphasize insight and practical wisdom. Teaching Points The Consequences of RebellionRebellion against God's principles leads to instability and confusion. A society that turns away from divine wisdom often finds itself with many competing voices and leaders, resulting in chaos. The Value of Wisdom in LeadershipA leader with understanding and knowledge is crucial for maintaining order. Such a leader seeks God's wisdom and applies it to governance, ensuring stability and peace. The Role of the Believer in SocietyChristians are called to be people of understanding and knowledge, influencing their communities positively. By living out biblical principles, believers can contribute to societal stability. Prayer for LeadersIt is essential to pray for those in authority, asking God to grant them wisdom and understanding. This aligns with the biblical mandate to seek the welfare of the city where we live. Personal Responsibility in ChaosIn times of societal disorder, individuals should strive to be voices of reason and stability, reflecting the character of a man of understanding and knowledge. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the presence of "many rulers" in a land reflect the spiritual state of that society, and what can be done to address it? 2. In what ways can you cultivate understanding and knowledge in your own life to contribute to order in your community? 3. How do the principles in Proverbs 28:2 apply to the current political or social climate in your country? 4. What are some practical steps you can take to support and pray for leaders in your community and nation? 5. How can you be a person of understanding and knowledge in your family, workplace, or church, and what impact might that have? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 11:14This verse highlights the importance of wise counsel in maintaining stability, similar to how a man of understanding maintains order. Ecclesiastes 10:16-17These verses contrast the effects of immature versus wise leadership on a nation, paralleling the themes of order and chaos in Proverbs 28:2. 1 Timothy 2:1-2Paul urges prayer for leaders so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives, connecting to the idea that wise leadership brings peace and order. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Continue, Endures, Established, Fire, Heads, Increased, Intelligent, Knoweth, Maintained, Maintains, Order, Princes, Prolonged, Rebellion, Rulers, Sin, Stability, State, Thereof, Transgresses, Transgression, Troubles, Understanding, WisdomDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 28:2 5326 government
5509 rulers
8227 discernment, nature of
8243 ethics, social
8355 understanding
8367 wisdom, importance of Library Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsThe Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh "If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life "And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 28:2 NIVProverbs 28:2 NLTProverbs 28:2 ESVProverbs 28:2 NASBProverbs 28:2 KJV
Proverbs 28:2 Commentaries
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