Proverbs 14:35 Commentary and Bible Study

The illustration is of a king who knows that the honour of his kingdom depends on the conduct of his ministers, for they are representative people and what they do reflects upon him. He cannot do everything himself and so appoints others to carry out various tasks. Having appointed them he gives them their instructions and then leaves them to carry out their tasks. What they do next will be the result of their loyalty to their king, their willingness to serve him, their ability, their dedication, and especially the prudence with which they carry out their responsibilities. The king watches each one to know if he has made a good appointment. Those who prove themselves worthy are promoted and rewarded with further responsibilities, but those who let down the king and bring shame on their ruler cause him to be angry and to remove them from office. This situation serves as a lesson about conduct in the church of God. All that we do is for the honour of the King of kings and reflects upon him. We are his people and he gathered us one by one, and formed the church by laying down his life for his sheep. The world looks on and rightly judges the Lord whom it cannot see by his people whom it can see. So close is the union between Christ and his people that his own character is transferred to them and they are changed from glory to glory as they look upon his glory. The world learns of the character of the Lord of glory from his servants on earth. How wisely do we conduct ourselves? How conscious are we that we are representatives? Wisdom is found in our King, but we too should learn wisdom, and strive to the uttermost to act wisely in all we do for him. Our conduct should honour Christ, not embarrass him. He certainly knows all that we will do, and he chose us from eternity knowing the slow progress that some of us would make, yet he remains committed to us, our sense of gratitude should be so great that we do not want to do anything to bring shame on his name.