Chapter 29

A theme that runs through a number of the proverbs in this chapter is this:

Our decisions (wise or foolish, or anything in between) have consequences.

Since this is written by a king for a king, naturally the consequences that he focuses on are those relating to the subjects the younger king will rule; and therefore we can see some issues that may be found when someone is in government.

For example:
• “When good people run things, everyone is glad; but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.”

The decisions of those in high places have a strong tendency to trickle down. A leader may think they can get away with it; indeed, in my experience the problem with bad leadership isn’t so much a direct tendency for bad decisions to happen, so much as a general bad “vibe” within the organization, the church or the country. Somehow, when the leader misbehaves, everyone begins to follow suit, even people who shouldn’t be able to sense what is happening.

• “A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.”
Interesting contrast here – Stability vs waste! But we’ve all experienced leaders who weren’t really in the job because they believed in the organization’s goals, but because it furthered their own goals. And indeed, waste is a hallmark of this particular type of leadership.

• “A gang of cynics can upset a whole city; a group of sages can calm everyone down.”
It doesn’t take a lot to do a lot of damage, as far as leadership is concerned. If people get cynical in one area of life, it tends to spread; and cynical leadership generally becomes abusing leadership. On the other hand, wise leadership can make all the difference.

• “When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild; but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.”
It’s an important comfort to us all that the evil people won’t get things their own way forever.

No, wisdom and foolishness among leaders impact those being led. We forget this at our peril.