Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today

Proverbs 25:1-4; 14:34

Proverbs 25:1-5

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
³ As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
⁴ Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
⁵ Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.

Proverbs 14:34

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people.

The writer in 14:34 states the defining principle of national government or government at any level. That is, upright conduct and principles are that by which a nation is judged. A Righteous government is most desirable.

I. Chapter 25:1-5 - The writer gives the information necessary to know why and how a nation is being governed.

· Vs 2 - A good government knows the national condition.

· Vs 3 - All things done by a good government do not have to be known.

· Vs 4 - The principle of separation for value is stated by illustration.

· Vs 5 - The description of the character and the influence that shapes it is stated.

A. The wicked in positions of familiarity with governmental leaders have influence.

B. The governmental leaders will not do the best job where there is the influence of the wicked.

C. For the government to do its best, the wicked must be removed.

We are given three glaring illustrations of the wickedness of our government leaders: The conduct of Johnson in the Vietnam Conflict; the criminal and blasphemous behavior of Richard Nixon; and the gross shameless immorality of Bill Clinton. There was no vacuum -- these men identified our national condition.