PROFITING FROM PROVERBS

“Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness” (Proverbs 25:5 KJV).

One of the keys of reading the Bible for a personal, daily devotion consists of placing the cookies on the bottom shelf where they are easily accessible to all. In this sense, it is important to understand that every verse in the Bible has a primary interpretation, and only one. The Bible is not open to many meanings to be recast in various lights as the need to “prove” a point is met. It is, however, often open to more than one “application.” In other words, what does this verse mean to you as you face the issues of life. Doctrinal truth can only be built upon faithful biblical interpretation, but that does not mean that there are not other truths that can be discovered.

Primarily, our verse before us today is addressing the monarch of a nation and the type of advice he has available to him. Obviously, if the wicked scoundrels in court are removed, and replaced with godly men full of wisdom—the edicts of the ruler will be right, and the nation will be blessed.

That this verse is directed to a certain class does not, however, negate God’s message to you and me. It has very much to say, especially when we are in the habit of comparing Scripture with Scripture. This is called seeking the “whole counsel of God,” on a particular subject.

If you have been saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ that He shed for you personally on Calvary, the Bible says this: “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5-6 KJV). Did you see that? We are “washed from our sins in his own blood,” and are made to be “kings and priests unto God.” The same truth is repeated again, almost verbatim: “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10 KJV).

Where is our kingdom? First of all we are to rule over ourselves: “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Proverbs 25:28 KJV).

If you are a parent, you rule over your home. Dad has authority over the wife, the wife has authority over the children, and in this the home is run decently and in order. The rule of a man over his wife was established back in the Garden of Eden, but the Lord has taught us that it is, in fact, a rule of love. The husband protects his family, the wife nurtures her family.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:22-26 KJV).

Truth be told, there are a lot of areas in our life as Christians where we exercise some rule. Every born-again, blood-washed believer is a full time Christian servant. At any instant of the day he may be called upon to step in with sound, biblical advice and take control of the situation for God. This is one reason why the Bible forbids “kings and priests” to partake alcohol as it dulls the senses. God has given us a sound mind, and a clouded, befuddled mind can cause great damage.

Father, help us to understand our need to rule over our own spirit so that we are always ready to do whatever You might direct us to do. Give us, O Lord, clarity of thought and liberty of speech to stand in whatever gap You place us in. Amen.

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