When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden, Prov 28:12.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase, Prov 28:28.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn, Prov 29:2.
It is with an overwhelming sense of dismay that 'the wicked' seem to be on the verge of being given an even greater say in the governance of this Province.
To have those who waged a terrorist campaign of slaughter for almost 40 years, and who murdered scores of Police Officers and also Judges during this time, to now exercise control over Policing and Justice is the epitome of having 'the wicked' bear rule over us. The very offices and functions of good government, which are ordained by God, Rom 13:1-3, and that should be a terror to the evil doer, are now controlled by those whose trade was murder and mayhem. This is indeed 'the wicked' bearing rule.
Every citizen, and especially the child of God, has an interest in the character and conduct of those who rule over us:
[1] The Word of God has much to say about 'rulers'. This should certainly interest the child of God who desires to heed all that God has to say in His Word. Both Old and New Testaments abound with clear statements about civil government. Why would the Scriptures not have much to say about those who rule over us? After all, the concept of civil government is one ordained of God.
[2] There is a very personal consequences upon citizens when they have wicked rulers. So says the infallible Word of God.
In each one of these three texts from the book of Proverbs there is a consequence outlined to having the wicked in authority. When the wicked rise the righteous, and subsequently righteousness, are sidelined. The two cannot possible co-exist together. There is no middle ground where both can be accommodated and tolerated.
Just as Mordecai and Haman could not co-exist side by side, neither can wicked rulers today be viewed with anything other than dismay. Note the difference in tone between Esther ch 8:15,16; 10:3 and Esther 3:15-4:3:
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
The wicked have no time for the righteous, no matter what platitudes come from their lips. Their aim and desire will be to destroy the righteous and bring down further any remaining semblance of righteousness in the land. Truth and uprightness will suffer just as Mordecai and the Jews were under threat.
It is only when the wicked perish as Haman did that the righteous increase!
The Lord says that the land will mourn when the wicked bear rule. It is not only the godly who suffer but everyone. Even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel, Prov 12:10. The wicked rule for their own ends and not for the good of the people or the honour of God. No good will come from elevating the wicked to bear rule. There has been much mourning done of late, especially among the people of God over the reproach that has come upon the cause of Christ. It looks as if there will be more to come for all of society.
Well might we ask the question: when will we ever learn? It sadly look likes this land will have to sink down further into the mire before it learns the truth of Scripture that: Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people, Prov 14:34.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase, Prov 28:28.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn, Prov 29:2.
It is with an overwhelming sense of dismay that 'the wicked' seem to be on the verge of being given an even greater say in the governance of this Province.
To have those who waged a terrorist campaign of slaughter for almost 40 years, and who murdered scores of Police Officers and also Judges during this time, to now exercise control over Policing and Justice is the epitome of having 'the wicked' bear rule over us. The very offices and functions of good government, which are ordained by God, Rom 13:1-3, and that should be a terror to the evil doer, are now controlled by those whose trade was murder and mayhem. This is indeed 'the wicked' bearing rule.
Every citizen, and especially the child of God, has an interest in the character and conduct of those who rule over us:
[1] The Word of God has much to say about 'rulers'. This should certainly interest the child of God who desires to heed all that God has to say in His Word. Both Old and New Testaments abound with clear statements about civil government. Why would the Scriptures not have much to say about those who rule over us? After all, the concept of civil government is one ordained of God.
[2] There is a very personal consequences upon citizens when they have wicked rulers. So says the infallible Word of God.
In each one of these three texts from the book of Proverbs there is a consequence outlined to having the wicked in authority. When the wicked rise the righteous, and subsequently righteousness, are sidelined. The two cannot possible co-exist together. There is no middle ground where both can be accommodated and tolerated.
Just as Mordecai and Haman could not co-exist side by side, neither can wicked rulers today be viewed with anything other than dismay. Note the difference in tone between Esther ch 8:15,16; 10:3 and Esther 3:15-4:3:
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
The wicked have no time for the righteous, no matter what platitudes come from their lips. Their aim and desire will be to destroy the righteous and bring down further any remaining semblance of righteousness in the land. Truth and uprightness will suffer just as Mordecai and the Jews were under threat.
It is only when the wicked perish as Haman did that the righteous increase!
The Lord says that the land will mourn when the wicked bear rule. It is not only the godly who suffer but everyone. Even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel, Prov 12:10. The wicked rule for their own ends and not for the good of the people or the honour of God. No good will come from elevating the wicked to bear rule. There has been much mourning done of late, especially among the people of God over the reproach that has come upon the cause of Christ. It looks as if there will be more to come for all of society.
Well might we ask the question: when will we ever learn? It sadly look likes this land will have to sink down further into the mire before it learns the truth of Scripture that: Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people, Prov 14:34.
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