Proverbs 28 is an appropriate chapter considering we are in an election year. Verse two immediately draws my thoughts to read the rest of the chapter as instructions to those who are in positions of leadership.

By the transgression of a land many are its princes, but by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. (Proverbs 28:2, NASB)

A few other translations are even clearer in the meaning of this verse:

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. (NLT)

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. (NIV)

Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; but by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged. (NKJV)

The survival of a nation depends on the partnership between the people and the rulers. If the ruler is a man with discernment, understanding, wisdom, and righteous behavior, but the people are rebellious, choosing to discard the laws of God and live in ungodliness, it will be weak, with one ruler after another. On the other hand, if the people strive to be righteous, but the rulers are corrupt, it will also struggle for stability.

It naturally follows that if the people and their rulers work together – both striving for righteousness under God’s law – the nation will stand strong, but if both the rulers and the general population head down the road of rebellion, eventually the nation will fall, and be destroyed completely.

How does Proverbs admonish leaders, just in this chapter, keeping in mind when it says “law” it is referring to God’s law, His righteous standards, and commandments for His people – not man’s arbitrary laws formed out of carnal hearts. Here are just three observations.

#1 – Poor leaders praise wicked behavior and do not understand justice.

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive with them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all things. (v.4-5)

#2 – Poor leaders trade integrity for wealth and lead people astray.

Better is the poor who walks in integrity than he who is crooked though he be rich. He who leads the upright astray in an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good. (v. 6,10).

#3 – Poor leaders are wise in their own eyes and trust their own hearts.

The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor who has understanding sees through him. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered. (v.11,26)

As Americans, we are blessed to live in a free country. Our country was established on godly principles, by people who left their homelands at great risk because they desired to worship God freely. Many have died to defend our freedoms. The privilege to vote should never be taken for granted, and as followers of Jesus, we ought to think carefully and pray for wisdom before casting our votes. Our desire should be to do our part to choose men and women who have respect for God, an understanding of His laws, and a desire to live by the principles found in God’s Word. We cannot separate our “politics” from our faith but rather infuse and establish our political viewpoints from the wisdom of scripture.

Ultimately, God is working out His sovereign plans, both on a national and global level, as well as in our individual lives. It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding (Daniel 2:21).

Here are two more passages we need to consider. First, Paul urges us to pray for our leaders not only for the benefit of a peaceful, daily existence for ourselves but so that the gospel can go forward for the lost whom God loves.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 – First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Secondly, the psalmist reminds us that God is in charge and that our hope and salvation are not in our earthly leaders. We can trust God, whatever happens on election day.

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; from His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You. – Psalm 33:11-22

How will you vote this year? Will you look at the candidates through the lens of God’s Word, praying for wisdom before you pull that lever? May that be the practice of every professing follower of Jesus, as we trust God to complete His good and sovereign plans for our world.