[8] The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.
[10] When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. [11] Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
[14] For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.
The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom ranging from personal wisdom to the proper affairs of nations. In chapter 11 we can see the connection between these various spheres and so ultimately how a nation can prosper.
Proverbs 11:3,5-6,8 NIV
[3] The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
[5] The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. [6] The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
[8] The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.
It starts with the individual.
The wise man who ends up prospering is a man of integrity, blamelessness and righteousness. These are powerful words, but does it match what we see in our society?
As we look around us it seems that the opposite is evident everywhere. We make TV shows of criminals (Milat, Underworld, etc). Ned Kelly is a national icon. Drug couriers get harsh punishment while we leave the big guys alone, and if we knew their names we would realise that they are sometimes people we admire for their business acumen. The Psalmist knows about this as well:
Psalm 73:12-14 NIV
[12] This is what the wicked are like---always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. [13] Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. [14] All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. CEOs of major corporations take home multiple millions each year while most people struggle to make ends meet.
However he can see what we often can’t:
Psalm 73:16-20 NIV
[16] When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply [17] till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. [18] Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. [19] How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! [20] They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
Personal integrity and righteousness has a great value if only you can keep your eye on the big picture and the long view.
These same considerations apply to the city as well.
Proverbs 11:10-11 NIV
[10] When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. [11] Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
A city only prospers when men of goodwill and integrity are in charge. We often complain about the corruption and self serving of city councils, powerful pressure groups, organised religion, trades unions, rich cartels and the like. But where does the responsibility lie?
It is my firm conviction that the fault lies fairly and squarely at the feet of the church. We are supposed to be the light and salt of a community, to be the head and not the tail. Instead we have often become a corporation with ethics very similar to the world around us, rather than the body of Christ in the world.
• Jesus has given us firm instructions as to what to do. Instead we have settled for a comfortable meeting once a week.
• Jesus calls us into a battle against the forces of evil. We have retreated into a lifeboat to keep us safe from the world we are meant to invade with the power of the love of Jesus.
• We have become respectable middle class people, accumulating more than we need while people are in need all around us.
• We are called to GO. We preference to STAY.
Jesus is the only answer to the ills of society. We know that, but don’t live it. Personal integrity and righteousness is again the answer. The people of God have the answer. We need to proclaim it and live it.
It is even more serious. As the city goes, so the nation goes.
Proverbs 11:14 NIV
[14] For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.
Where is this guidance to come from?
A nation is but a collection of communities (cities). Communities are only a collection of individuals and families. It all comes back to us. We get the government we deserve.
Politics should be the most noble of civic professions. Instead it has become a laughing stock for most people. Respect is an old fashioned word, ignored by most, when it should be the glue of society.
Where are the people of God, upholding integrity, exposing corruption, respecting those in authority?
A well known story is worth recounting as I close this blog. (From Wikepedia).
Robert Gilmour LeTourneau (November 30, 1888 – June 1, 1969), was born in Richford, Vermont, and was a prolific inventor of earthmoving machinery. His machines represented nearly 70 percent of the earthmoving equipment and engineering vehicles used during World War II, and over the course of his life he secured nearly 300 patents. With the help of his wife, the late Evelyn Peterson (1900-1987), he founded LeTourneau University, a private, Christian institution, in Longview, Texas. LeTourneau was widely known as a devoted Christian and generous philanthropist to Christian causes, including the "LeTourneau Christian Center" camp and conference grounds in Rushville, New York. LeTourneau was often referred to by his contemporaries as "God's businessman.”
LeTourneau held many respected positions throughout his life as a Christian layman, including as a leader in the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, president of the Christian Business Men's Committee (CBMC) and president of the Gideons International. Being a man of great Christian commitment and dedication, for 30 years he flew thousands of miles each week to maintain Christian speaking engagements around the United States and overseasp
This legacy was not carried on by his sons and the Le Torneau name has long disappeared from the earth moving business it once dominated.
Robert’s Christian faith informed all his activities, business, social and ministry. He has left an indelible mark on the world by his commitment to the Kingdom of God.
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