When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. When the righteous thriveThe Hebrew word for "righteous" is צַדִּיק (tsaddiq), which refers to those who are just, ethical, and in right standing with God. In the context of ancient Israel, righteousness was not merely a personal attribute but a communal one, affecting the entire society. The word "thrive" suggests prosperity and flourishing, indicating that when those who live according to God's laws and principles are in positions of influence, their positive impact extends to the community. Historically, Israel's prosperity was often linked to the faithfulness of its leaders and people to God's covenant. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that righteousness exalts a nation ( Proverbs 14:34). the people rejoice
The Hebrew word for "rejoice" is שָׂמַח (samach), which conveys a sense of joy, gladness, and celebration. This joy is not merely individual but communal, reflecting a society that experiences peace, justice, and well-being under righteous leadership. In the biblical context, the joy of the people is often associated with God's blessings and favor, as seen in the festivals and celebrations prescribed in the Law of Moses. The rejoicing of the people is a testament to the harmony and prosperity that righteous governance brings. but when the wicked rule
The term "wicked" is רָשָׁע (rasha), referring to those who are morally wrong, guilty, or hostile to God. In the biblical narrative, wicked rulers are often characterized by their oppression, injustice, and idolatry, leading the people away from God's commandments. The word "rule" implies authority and governance, highlighting the significant impact that leaders have on the moral and spiritual direction of a nation. Historically, Israel's periods of decline and suffering were frequently linked to the reign of wicked kings who led the people into sin and rebellion against God. the people groan
The Hebrew word for "groan" is אָנַח (anach), which denotes a deep, mournful sigh or lamentation. This groaning is a response to the suffering, injustice, and oppression experienced under wicked leadership. In the biblical context, the groaning of the people often prompted divine intervention, as seen in the Exodus narrative when the Israelites groaned under Egyptian bondage (Exodus 2:23-25). This phrase serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of unrighteous leadership and the longing for deliverance and restoration. Persons / Places / Events 1. The RighteousIn the context of Proverbs, the righteous are those who live according to God's laws and principles. They are often contrasted with the wicked and are seen as a source of blessing and joy for the community. 2. The WickedThose who act in opposition to God's will and principles. Their rule is characterized by injustice, oppression, and moral decay, leading to suffering and groaning among the people. 3. The PeopleThe general populace who experience the direct impact of the leadership and governance of either the righteous or the wicked. 4. Rejoicing and GroaningThese are the responses of the people to the leadership they are under. Rejoicing signifies happiness and prosperity, while groaning indicates suffering and distress. Teaching Points The Impact of Righteous LeadershipRighteous leaders bring about a society where justice, peace, and prosperity thrive. Their influence extends beyond personal morality to societal well-being. The Consequences of Wicked RuleWicked rulers lead to societal decay, oppression, and suffering. Their leadership results in a community that groans under the weight of injustice and moral corruption. The Role of the CommunityThe community's response to leadership is a reflection of the moral and spiritual health of the society. Rejoicing or groaning can serve as indicators of the effectiveness and righteousness of leadership. The Importance of Prayer for LeadersChristians are called to pray for their leaders, seeking God's guidance and wisdom for them, so that they may lead in righteousness and bring about peace and joy. Personal Responsibility in LeadershipWhether in positions of authority or in everyday life, individuals are called to lead with integrity and righteousness, influencing their spheres positively. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the leadership of the righteous bring about rejoicing among the people, and what are some modern examples of this principle in action? 2. In what ways can we, as individuals, contribute to a society that rejoices rather than groans? 3. How does the biblical call to pray for our leaders align with the teachings in Proverbs 29:2, and what practical steps can we take to fulfill this call? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the effects of either righteous or wicked leadership. How did it impact your community or personal life? 5. How can we discern and support righteous leadership in our communities, workplaces, and governments today? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 11:10This verse also contrasts the effects of the righteous and the wicked on a city, highlighting the communal impact of individual character. 1 Timothy 2:1-2Paul urges prayers for leaders so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives, indicating the importance of righteous leadership for societal well-being. Psalm 72:1-4A prayer for the king to rule with righteousness and justice, reflecting the biblical ideal of leadership that brings joy and prosperity to the people. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Authority, Beareth, Evil, Glad, Grief, Groan, Increase, Increased, Mourn, Multiplying, Power, Rejoice, Righteous, Rule, Ruler, Rules, Ruling, Sigh, Thrive, Upright, WickedDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 29:2-3 5481 proverb Library An Obscured vision
(Preached at the opening of the Winona Lake Bible Conference.) TEXT: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."--Proverbs 29:18. It is not altogether an easy matter to secure a text for such an occasion as this; not because the texts are so few in number but rather because they are so many, for one has only to turn over the pages of the Bible in the most casual way to find them facing him at every reading. Feeling the need of advice for such a time as this, I asked a number of my friends who …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotTwo Ancient Proverbs
A Sermon (No. 3080) Published on Thursday, February 20th, 1908. Delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Lord's Day evening, March 29th, 1874. "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso puteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." --Proverbs 29:25. We have two ancient proverbs here; each of them is true as a separate proverb, and they are equally true when linked together. The independent proposition, that the fear of man bringeth a snare, is a truth which experience …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church But Sometimes a Peril to Eternal Salvation Itself is Put Forth against Us...
40. But sometimes a peril to eternal salvation itself is put forth against us; [2466] which peril, they cry out, we by telling a lie, if otherwise it cannot be, must ward off. As, for instance, if a person who is to be baptized be in the power of impious and infidel men, and cannot be got at that he may be washed with the laver of regeneration, but by deceiving his keepers with a lie. From this most invidious cry, by which we are compelled, not for a man's wealth or honors in this world which are …
St. Augustine—Against Lying Little Sarah Howley.
MISS SARAH HOWLEY, when she was between eight and nine years old, was carried by her friends to hear a sermon, where the minister preached upon Matt. xi, 30, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light;" in the applying of which scripture the child was mightily awakened, and made deeply sensible of the condition of her soul, and her need of Christ: she wept bitterly to think what a case she was in; went home, retired into a chamber, and upon her knees she wept and cried to the Lord as well as she could, …
John Wesley—Stories of Boys and Girls Who Loved the Saviour For, Concerning False Witness, which is Set Down in the Ten Commands of The...
36. For, concerning false witness, which is set down in the ten commands of the Law, it can indeed in no wise be contended that love of truth may at heart be preserved, and false witness brought forth to him unto whom the witness is borne. For, when it is said to God only, then it is only in the heart that the truth is to be embraced: but when it is said to man, then must we with the mouth also of the body bring forth truth, because man is not an inspector of the heart. But then, touching the witness …
St. Augustine—On Lying Palm Sunday
Text: Philippians 2, 5-11. 5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II It Remains Then that we Understand as Concerning those Women...
33. It remains then that we understand as concerning those women, whether in Egypt or in Jericho, that for their humanity and mercy they received a reward, in any wise temporal, which indeed itself, while they wist not of it, should by prophetical signification prefigure somewhat eternal. But whether it be ever right, even for the saving of a man's life, to tell a lie, as it is a question in resolving which even the most learned do weary themselves, it did vastly surpass the capacity of those poor …
St. Augustine—Against Lying What are Evidences of Backsliding in Heart.
1. Manifest formality in religious exercises. A stereotyped, formal way of saying and doing things, that is clearly the result of habit, rather than the outgushing of the religious life. This formality will be emotionless and cold as an iceberg, and will evince a total want of earnestness in the performance of religious duty. In prayer and in religious exercises the backslider in heart will pray or praise, or confess, or give thanks with his lips, so that all can hear him, perhaps, but in such a …
Charles G. Finney—The Backslider in Heart God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
Rom. xi. 36.--"Of him and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever." And 1 Cor. x. 31--"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." All that men have to know, may be comprised under these two heads,--What their end is, and What is the right way to attain to that end? And all that we have to do, is by any means to seek to compass that end. These are the two cardinal points of a man's knowledge and exercise. Quo et qua eundum est,--Whither to go, and what way to go. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 10.) Differently to be admonished are the impatient and the patient. For the impatient are to be told that, while they neglect to bridle their spirit, they are hurried through many steep places of iniquity which they seek not after, inasmuch as fury drives the mind whither desire draws it not, and, when perturbed, it does, not knowing, what it afterwards grieves for when it knows. The impatient are also to be told that, when carried headlong by the impulse of emotion, they act in some …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. ...
Humility is the root of charity, and meekness the fruit of both. There is no solid and pure ground of love to others, except the rubbish of self-love be first cast out of the soul; and when that superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, then charity hath a solid and deep foundation: "The end of the command is charity out of a pure heart," 1 Tim. i. 5. It is only such a purified heart, cleansed from that poison and contagion of pride and self-estimation, that can send out such a sweet and wholesome …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 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 29:2 NIVProverbs 29:2 NLTProverbs 29:2 ESVProverbs 29:2 NASBProverbs 29:2 KJV
Proverbs 29:2 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
