Proverbs 17:26, Punishment – Right and Wrong!
November 23, Proverbs 17:26
Phil. 1:27-30; 1 Tm. 2:1-3 “It is not good (abominable) to accept persons.”
Punishment – Right and Wrong!
In today’s verse and 18:5 we are given a striking illustration of the injustice of political or religious persecution. Injustice in the courts is denounced. To punish can mean “a fine or levy” (2 Kg. 23:33), while to strike probably involves the severer punishment of scourging. 17:26 is the first of four places where the words It is not good appear (18:5, 19:2, 25:27). The simple negative in Scripture is usually much stronger, and not so simple, than it might appear. The not good of these Proverbs should be understood as “absolutely bad, very evil” (17:15), morally, socially, politically, and spiritually! It also may mean “even” (28), even to punish (fine) an innocent person is bad. It may have its more obvious sense of “besides other things” it is bad to do this (19:2). Princes or noble ones are such because they are liberal, generous, in character. Thus it came to designate office or rank. In life princes have often been weak and ignoble. The princes here refer to God’s nobles.
1. Opposing the Blameless: Also to punish the just is not good (v.26a). “Punishing the blameless” and “where the lawsuit of the innocent is perverted” (18:5a), are examples of persecution. Magistrates are to be a terror to evil doers, not to good works. Abraham prayed, That be far from thee, to slay the righteous with the wicked. Shall not the judge of all the earth do right (Gen. 18:25)? To do otherwise is to abuse their powers, and also to betray their trust. Every punishment meted out to child or adult, whether in the domestic, political or religious sphere, other than for legal or moral violations, is unjust persecution. Princes, who are tyrants, indicate their thrones, positions, offices, are insecure, and they will not long survive (2 Sm. 3:39)! How much “innocent blood” is on the hands of the clergy of Rome, and also the Protestant Reformers, who supported the union of Church and State to inflict the sword and stake on those they deemed “heretics.”
2. Oppressing the Generous: To strike princes for equity (26b). Princes must not punish their just subjects, nor allow the righteous to be flogged (18:5b). Only kings or judges could order such sentences. To punish or flog officials who are serving with uprightness is, like bribery, to distort justice (Jn. 18:22-23). It is an abomination to a just and holy God (Job 34:18-19). Nor are the people to “strike honest officials,” or “lead rebellions” against their princes without valid reasons. Obviously, there is resistance that is justified when it is against unjust leaders, princes in name only, but who are not God’s nobles. Equity means either the prince’s or the people’s equity, their due, their right, but what is equitable or right? Ah, there’s the rub! “Never yet was there any insurrection against the lawful magistrates but what was prefaced with glorious pretences, the honour of God, the liberty of the subjects.” (E. Hopkins). We hear the rhetoric of various lobby groups as they protest and threaten and even smash, burn and loot, all in the cause of equity, of course!
Thought: “A good cause can never justify a wicked action.”
Prayer: Lord, that our princes rule in equity as they that must answer to Thee.