Proverbs 29:2 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Proverbs 29:2

Comments

It is evident from the comparison that although the Hebrew verb in the first part of this proverb can be translated ‘increase’ – ‘when the righteous increase’ – that the increase in mind is one that puts the righteous in authority and so the KJV renders it, ‘when the righteous are in authority’. Does this mean that most people love righteousness? No, it does not, not if we are thinking of either righteousness in itself, or righteousness in their own lives. What they love is righteousness in other people, because for the most part there is a human instinct for law and order, but they love this mainly for convenience and for selfish reasons. To live next to an honest neighbour is obviously safer than living next to a thief. Righteousness brings peace and stability to a community, and righteous officials in authority mean that we do not need to be worrying all the time about who is defrauding us. These are entirely practical benefits to the prevalence of righteousness. But to say that most people love righteousness for its own sake is a different matter. That would imply that righteousness is recognised as good and that people love God and his righteous character, and if they did this then they would hunger and thirst for righteousness in their own lives. But Scripture and experience of life make clear that this is not the case. Certainly, among God’s people there is a genuine desire for righteousness both in their leaders and in their own lives. They love righteousness for what it is, they love its working in their lives; they appreciate the beauty of righteous character, above all they love the Lord because he is holy. But the verse is not talking about the church; it is talking about the population at large: believers and unbelievers together, and the thought is limited to attitudes towards authority. A corrupt authority is noted for the corrupt society which it creates beneath it. No man’s word can be trusted, but dishonest prevails. Deals are negotiated through bribes and no one can be sure that a deal struck will not be changed later. Justice is uncertain and truth takes a backseat. The righteous dare not go to law, lest the wicked manipulate the judges into a passing false sentence in favour of those who profit them the most. Public information cannot be trusted because news outlets have their own agenda. Without trust, suspicion grows, and endless verification becomes necessary at great inconvenience to society. All this proceeds from wicked ruler, for his pervasive influence affects all below him. He appoints those who will approve of his schemes and not criticise them. They in turn appoint others, who they expect to cover over any indiscretion. Fear dominates and violence is commonly used to enforce power. The people mourn because their live become so complicated, so anxious, so uncertain. How can this tyranny be overturned and a better government come in when all power to bring about change has been taken away from them?

Application

God’s people thank him even for human government, however imperfect it is. They thank him that it restrains the worst of human evil and prevents the world from boiling over into total anarchy. But they are more thankful when that rare entity on earth comes to prominence and a noble and righteous and humble ruler comes to power, one who fears God. Then they know that there will be liberty to worship God, there will be a defence of right values by the courts, and that the country will prosper. But most of all, they look forward to the time when Christ will take to himself all authority and put an end to sin. His kingdom will be perfect, unpolluted by even a single lie. ‘And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life’ (Revelation 21:27).

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Proverbs 29:2 Commentary and Bible Study