“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue. Proverbs 28:2 AMP
Many times people blame their leaders for all their problems, but God puts the responsibility on both leaders and followers to be righteous and to do righteously so that they can all be blessed and prosper – especially when the people are in a position to vote for their leaders. When a nation is disobedient and rebellious, their land is unstable and they have many different rulers. When a nation is righteous, they will have a righteous ruler – a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge – and will be stable over the long term. The people of a nation must decide to honor and serve God and then He will be able to bless them and give them godly, consistent leadership.
Those who forsake the law [of God and man] praise the wicked, but those who keep the law [of God and man] contend with them. Proverbs 28:4 AMP
When people are unrighteous, they admire those who are wicked. That is why they end up with wicked people in leadership. Those who keep the law of God will challenge ungodly people and unrighteous leadership.
When the [uncompromisingly] righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; but when the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves.
Proverbs 28:12 AMP
When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves; but when they perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become many. Proverbs 28:28 AMP
When the [uncompromisingly] righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh. Proverbs 29:2 AMP
When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall see the fall of the wicked. Proverbs 29:16 AMP
When the wicked rise to power and are in authority – the people hide themselves and groan and sigh and transgression increases in the nation. However, when the righteous triumph and are in authority the people rejoice – there is great glory and celebration – and the righteous increase in number.
Evil men do not understand justice, but they who crave and seek the Lord understand it fully. Proverbs 28:5 AMP
Like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16 A ruler who lacks understanding is [like a wicked one] a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days. Proverbs 28:15-16 AMP
Evil people have no idea what justice is, neither do they know how to rule justly. A wicked ruler is one who lacks understanding. He is a great oppressor of the poor – he is like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear. Only those who earnestly and sincerely seek the Lord understand justice – they understand their responsibility toward the poor and the helpless – those who need to be protected. They know that they have no right to take advantage of others just because they have a position of authority. The righteous hate covetousness and unjust gain and, because of it, they conduct themselves honorably and therefore God will bless them and will extend their own life.
The [consistently] righteous man knows and cares for the rights of the poor, but the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge. Proverbs 29:7 AMP
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5 Lest they drink and forget the law and what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty and [seriously] remember his want and misery no more. 8 Open your mouth for the dumb [those unable to speak for themselves], for the rights of all who are left desolate and defenseless; 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:4-9 AMP
The wicked do not care about the poor or their situation or their rights. However, God expects those in authority to faithfully and righteously judge the poor – to know and care for their rights. In order for leaders to lead and judge righteously, they must not abuse alcohol, drugs, or any other addicting or hallucinogenic substance. A good leader is sober, exhibits self-control in mind, body and spirit, is not greedy or selfish, does not think more highly of himself than he ought, and puts the needs of others above his own. If those in authority rule faithfully and righteously God will bless them and cause them to remain in leadership.
The king who faithfully judges the poor, his throne shall be established continuously. Proverbs 29:14 AMP
