Proverbs 14:28, A Study In Contrasts

August 27, Proverbs 14:28

2 Thess. 1:1-12 “They sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy” (Rev. 5:9).

A Study In Contrasts

There are several Hebrew words translated honour. The one used here (hadar) means large, ample. To honour the king, the crowd must be large, for want of people is the destruction of the prince, his terror. In Ps. 29:2 it means beauty, and in Ps. 45:3-4 it is twice rendered Majesty. Such honour can rarely be attributed to an earthly king, but must be ascribed to the One who is King of Kings!

1. Kingdomless Kings: An earthly king has no honour but in his subjects. The king’s strength is in the strength of his people. If the people are strong, the king will also be strong. On the other hand, want of subjects, or subjects weakened and demoralised, will soon lead to the destruction of a prince. What is a teacher without students? What is a monarch without subjects? Are we witnessing the demise of the British Monarchy as some Commonwealth countries talk of breaking off those old ties? When rulers lose the respect of the people, it may not be long till the people reject their rule as well. It will all end in “Worldly vanity and empty pomp.” When will politicians (lesser rulers!) learn that “their interest and that of the people is one”? What about all the polls commissioned by the leaders to determine future strategy? If the results are favourable, they can boast, but when they are down, they dismiss them as unimportant! Yet, unhappy voters can elect a new ruler next time round, and leave the old one to his lost kingdom!

“Honour and fame from no condition rise;
Act well your part-there all honour lies.”

2. King Of All Kings and All Kingdoms: “The only kingdom that will prevail in this world is the kingdom that is not of this world” (Anon). Is there a contrast in this proverb with the honour due our Heavenly King by the multitudes of His people? How great that number will be, when complete, is only hinted at in Rev. 7:9-12. It is called a great multitude that no man could number. What honour, then, will be due to the Lamb upon His Throne! When Paul seeks to encourage the believers in Thessalonica who are enduring severe trials and persecutions, he says, Rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. He will then take vengeance on His enemies and put them away from His presence, and from the glory of his power. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe in that day. Then will the subjects of the King cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power forever and forever (Rev. 4:10-11). O, might you be in that white-robed throng to sing before the Lamb, and to serve Him day and night (Rev. 7:12-17)!

“Thy Kingdom come, O God; Thy rule, O Christ, begin;
Break with Thine iron rod the tyrannies of sin.”

Thought: “The key to the history of this world is the kingdom of God” (Lloyd-Jones).

Prayer: “Even so come, Lord Jesus!”