Wisdom Regarding Authority
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Wisdom Regarding Authority
INTRODUCTION
1. Throughout life, we must deal with the matter of authority...
a. Sometimes we find ourselves in positions of authority (boss, parent, elder, president)
b. Most of the time we find ourselves having to submit to authority (employee, child, citizen)
2. Wisdom regarding authority is a virtue often lacking...
a. People with authority frequently do poorly, even abusing their authority b. People under authority don’t always handle it gracefully, making their situation worse
3. In Proverbs, we find wisdom regarding authority...
a. Mostly spoken in terms pertaining to the rule of a king or prince
b. Which can easily be applied to other areas involving authority (work, family, church)
[In this study, we shall seek to summarize what is said in Proverbs about the subject of authority, beginning with some...]
I. WISDOM FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY
A. THEIR DUTIES...
1. To make judgments -
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king:
His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:
But the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
:
;
a. Those in authority are often called upon to make decisions
b. Decisions that affect those under their authority
. Those in authority are often called upon to make decisions b. Decisions that affect those under their authority 2. To administer justice - ,; ,. Such is the responsibility of those in authority b. Not for their personal benefit, but for those under their authority -- Whether one is a king, a company CEO or manager, an elder, or a parent, God expects them to exercise authority with justice
2. To administer justice -
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment
Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
A wise king scattereth the wicked,
And bringeth the wheel over them.
,;
;
The king by judgment establisheth the land:
But he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
prov
prov 29:14 a. Such is the responsibility of those in authority b. Not for their personal benefit, but for those under their authority -- Whether one is a king, a company CEO or manager, an elder, or a parent, God expects them to exercise authority with justice
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,
His throne shall be established for ever.
a. Such is the responsibility of those in authority
b. Not for their personal benefit, but for those under their authority -- Whether one is a king, a company CEO or manager, an elder, or a parent, God expects them to exercise authority with justice
B. THEIR QUALITIES...
1. They must be righteous -
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king:
His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
A just weight and balance are the Lord’s:
All the weights of the bag are his work.
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness:
For the throne is established by righteousness.
-
a. Necessary to administer justice
b. To judge righteously and fairly
2. Free of evil influence -
Take away the dross from the silver,
And there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne shall be established in righteousness.
. Such as covetousness, the love of material things - . Such as bribery, the tool of many ‘lobbyists’ - . Such as women and alcohol, bane of many politicians and businessmen - 3. They must be fair and merciful - . For those unable to speak for themselves b. For those who are poor and needy -- Those in authority need the qualities that will ensure righteous and merciful judgment
a. Such as covetousness, the love of material things -
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear;
So is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor:
But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
. Such as bribery, the tool of many ‘lobbyists’ - . Such as women and alcohol, bane of many politicians and businessmen - 3. They must be fair and merciful - . For those unable to speak for themselves b. For those who are poor and needy -- Those in authority need the qualities that will ensure righteous and merciful judgment
b. Such as bribery, the tool of many ‘lobbyists’ -
The king by judgment establisheth the land:
But he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
c. Such as women and alcohol, bane of many politicians and businessmen -
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb?
And what, the son of my vows?
Give not thy strength unto women,
Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;
Nor for princes strong drink:
Lest they drink, and forget the law,
And pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
3. They must be fair and merciful -
Open thy mouth for the dumb
In the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
a. For those unable to speak for themselves
b. For those who are poor and needy -- Those in authority need the qualities that will ensure righteous and merciful judgment
[In other words, the same sort of judgment they would want if they themselves were not in positions of authority! Now for some...]
II. WISDOM FOR THOSE UNDER AUTHORITY
A. THEIR DUTIES... 1. To honor those in authority -
My son, fear thou the Lord and the king:
And meddle not with them that are given to change:
For their calamity shall rise suddenly;
And who knoweth the ruin of them both?
a. To fear (reverence, respect) them like we do the Lord
b. Avoid those given to ‘revolution’, who often bring calamity on themselves
2. To gain their favor, when possible and appropriate -
In the light of the king’s countenance is life;
And his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion;
But his favour is as dew upon the grass.
prov 19:12; 20:2
pro 16:15; 19:12; 20:2
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion:
Whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
prov 20:2
a. For such favor can be a blessing
b. And their wrath can be a curse -- Those in authority deserve our respect - for the position if not the occupant
B. THEIR QUALITIES...
1. Wise conduct, not shameful -
The king’s favour is toward a wise servant:
But his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
2. Righteous speech -
5 2. Righteous speech - 3. Purity of heart and graceful lips - 4. Excellence in one’s work - 5. Self-control of one’s passions and appetites - 6. Humility - 7. Patience and gentleness - -- Such are the qualities that gain the favor of those in authority
Righteous lips are the delight of kings;
And they love him that speaketh right.
3. Purity of heart and graceful lips -
He that loveth pureness of heart,
For the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
4. Excellence in one’s work -
Seest thou a man diligent in his business?
He shall stand before kings;
He shall not stand before mean men.
5. Self-control of one’s passions and appetites - 6. Humility - 7. Patience and gentleness - -- Such are the qualities that gain the favor of those in authority
5. Self-control of one’s passions and appetites -
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,
Consider diligently what is before thee:
And put a knife to thy throat,
If thou be a man given to appetite.
Be not desirous of his dainties:
For they are deceitful meat.
6. Humility -
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king,
And stand not in the place of great men:
For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither;
Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince
Whom thine eyes have seen.
7. Patience and gentleness - -- Such are the qualities that gain the favor of those in authority
7. Patience and gentleness -
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded,
And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
-- Such are the qualities that gain the favor of those in authority
-- Such are the qualities that gain the favor of those in authority
CONCLUSION
1. If such wisdom regarding authority were commonplace... a. In nations b. In businesses c. In churches d. In families
2. Where those in authority... a. Fulfilled their duties with justice b. Were men and women of righteous conduct
3. Where those under authority... a. Respected those over them b. Gained the respect of those over them through their own conduct
Then how wonderful it would be! With the aid of such wisdom as that found in Proverbs, it can happen...
INTRODUCTION
1. Throughout life, we must deal with the matter of authority... a. Sometimes we find ourselves in positions of authority (boss, parent, elder, president) b. Most of the time we find ourselves having to submit to authority (employee, child, citizen)
2. Wisdom regarding authority is a virtue often lacking... a. People with authority frequently do poorly, even abusing their authority b. People under authority don’t always handle it gracefully, making their situation worse
3. In Proverbs, we find wisdom regarding authority... a. Mostly spoken in terms pertaining to the rule of a king or prince b. Which can easily be applied to other areas involving authority (work, family, church)
[In this study, we shall seek to summarize what is said in Proverbs about the subject of authority, beginning with some...]
I. WISDOM FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY
A. THEIR DUTIES... 1. To make judgments - ; . Those in authority are often called upon to make decisions b. Decisions that affect those under their authority 2. To administer justice - ,; ,. Such is the responsibility of those in authority b. Not for their personal benefit, but for those under their authority -- Whether one is a king, a company CEO or manager, an elder, or a parent, God expects them to exercise authority with justice
B. THEIR QUALITIES... 1. They must be righteous - ,. Necessary to administer justice b. To judge righteously and fairly 2. Free of evil influence - . Such as covetousness, the love of material things - . Such as bribery, the tool of many ‘lobbyists’ - . Such as women and alcohol, bane of many politicians and businessmen - 3. They must be fair and merciful - . For those unable to speak for themselves b. For those who are poor and needy -- Those in authority need the qualities that will ensure righteous and merciful judgment
[In other words, the same sort of judgment they would want if they themselves were not in positions of authority! Now for some...]
II. WISDOM FOR THOSE UNDER AUTHORITY
A. THEIR DUTIES... 1. To honor those in authority - . To fear (reverence, respect) them like we do the Lord b. Avoid those given to ‘revolution’, who often bring calamity on themselves 2. To gain their favor, when possible and appropriate - ; ; . For such favor can be a blessing b. And their wrath can be a curse -- Those in authority deserve our respect - for the position if not the occupant
B. THEIR QUALITIES... 1. Wise conduct, not shameful - 2. Righteous speech - 3. Purity of heart and graceful lips - 4. Excellence in one’s work - 5. Self-control of one’s passions and appetites - 6. Humility - 7. Patience and gentleness - -- Such are the qualities that gain the favor of those in authority
CONCLUSION
1. If such wisdom regarding authority were commonplace... a. In nations b. In businesses c. In churches d. In families
2. Where those in authority... a. Fulfilled their duties with justice b. Were men and women of righteous conduct
3. Where those under authority... a. Respected those over them b. Gained the respect of those over them through their own conduct
Then how wonderful it would be! With the aid of such wisdom as that found in Proverbs, it can happen...