“A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.” Proverbs 28:16
Devotional Thought For The Day
The critical feature to be grasped is the nature of “understanding,” or wisdom, on the part of those in power. The opposite or contrast to “understanding” and wisdom is a love for “unjust gain.” The Hebrew word used in this verse denotes “covetousness, plunder, dishonest gain, lucre, and love of money” – which Scripture identifies as “the root of all evil.” [1 Tim. 6:10] So the acquisition of power and authority is seen as the means to an end – to benefit oneself, and all manner of evil needed to gain power is viewed as appropriate and even desirable, and the acquisition of wealth and greater power takes no concern for the oppression and destruction wreaked in the lives of those being ruled. This is a most dismal and dreary reality experienced by many people in the world, and perhaps to some extent by everyone other than rulers.
The contrast – the one “who hates unjust gain” – is promised long life, and will no doubt experience many other blessings from God, and his subjects will be blessed with peace, order, and opportunity to reap appropriate benefits for their ambition and hard work. Such a political entity will have multiplied blessings, although they will be more evenly spread out. This is wisdom that has long been understood among God’s people; Moses’ father in law, Jethro, gave him this advice in setting up leaders and judges among the people of Israel: “Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. [Exodus 18:21,22] This advice was given and followed some 3,400 years ago, and we might observe that human nature hasn’t changed much since that time, and so the proverb still has direct application to rulers today.
As we think about politics in the most “enlightened” United States, we find that “personal gain” remains a strong component of our political process and our government. The rich ingratiate themselves to candidates and finance their campaigns, and then are rewarded with favors after their candidate takes office. Legislation is crafted and proposed with an eye to who will be most favored and benefited, and often with only lip service to the general welfare of the nation. Indeed, the general welfare is often disregarded not only for the sake of wealthy individuals or industries, but also for the sake of the selfish interests of “blocs” of voters – to insure re-election and continued exercise of power. Sadly, the general population of voters is often too naive to understand what is happening, and to measure the costs of such legislation to the welfare of the state, and even to their own personal welfare. This, even though selfishness and self-interest is assumed and accepted as the ultimate criteria in voting for candidates and evaluating legislation. This is the formula – the desire for “unjust gain” – for political disaster and oppression, and we are experiencing more and more of this. Lord, have mercy!
Those of us who know and understand the goodness, clemency, mercy, and long-suffering love of God, need to re-evaluate our own hearts in regard to “love of money,” self-interest, and politics. Where we find need of repentance we need to get with it, and to either begin or strengthen our selflessness, concern for others, and generosity. We know God’s selflessness in providing us with forgiveness, redemption, atonement, cleansing, inner renewal, and eternal life. We know His will and instruction for our life, to love one another as He has loved us. Sadly, Christians have often had right political goals but impure motives, and so are essentially indistinguishable from other political blocs. Such cynicism only bolsters the greed and willingness to oppress in those who are outside of God’s kingdom. So the proverb applies to this day, not only to the overtly ungodly, but also to those enlightened by God’s love in Christ. And the need for leadership by example, leadership like that described by Jethro, remains critical in our time. Let us pray for God’s reform of our own hearts and purification for our political processes and government.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for following the dictates of our fallen, selfish nature, in our political desires and activities, and in our personal lives. Protect us from the harm and oppression that such sin and selfishness produces. Heal us and raise up true leaders who hate covetousness and dishonest gain, people who will truly work for the common good of all. We pray that You might turn the hearts of many to Your love, to true faith and genuine goodness, that all citizens, especially the lowliest and most vulnerable, might enjoy a good share of Your blessings. Amen.