Answers for the world’s mess

 

READ Proverbs 29-31

Those who say the Bible is obsolete should read Proverbs 29 in light of current events. Several verses describe the evil that is happening in Europe, those who suffer because of it, and the person(s) who are responsible for it. It also describes how many feel about what is happening. I read it with emotions both positive and negative.

Verses 2 and 7 describe the current conflict and reveal that attitudes and responses are not new. The scale and the weapons used may be different but the truth is as contemporary as this morning’s news.

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. (Proverbs 29:2)

A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge. (Proverbs 29:7)

The rule of evil men does cause the people to groan, yet we are living in what many call a ‘post-truth’ era where all objectivity has been replaced by relativism. The clarity of right and wrong are blurred. Even though the rule of the wicked has shown up in one part of the world with guns, bombs, and armed conflict, it has also taken place in other parts of the world in other ways. God’s black and white laws have been neglected and pushed aside for ‘progress’ and ‘personal freedom.’ Many actions that were illegal or considered evil and sinful are now approved and even applauded as ‘normal’ and justified. Human rights have taken over to the point that anarchy is a genuine threat. This may seem new and be called progress but the Bible says:

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. (Proverbs 29:18)

In today’s terms, this verse says that without the anchor and stability offered in the laws of God and in the keeping of those laws, people cast off all restraint and do as they please. These days, not only are those laws not kept, they are considered at best as old fashioned, and at worst, bad for progress and human rights.

We now live in an era where there is a strong division between those who love God and want to follow Jesus Christ and those who push faith and righteousness aside. The levels of persecution are greater now than in all past persecutions. Men, women and children who believe in Jesus are hunted, chased from their homes, tortured and many have been killed. All this is considered a ‘good’ thing to do to them. The Bible says:

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked. (Proverbs 29:27)

Hating good people is not a new thing, but it has increased to the point that the media is recognizing it. Thank God, many are still appalled by this reversal that makes wrong right and right wrong. Yet our world is in trouble, and as recognized in the OT and following NT, we are helpless to fix it. One verse says, “Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.” (Proverbs 29:26) Yet at the same time, for many, faith in God is ‘obsolete’ at best and foolishness at worst. Where else then can we go for help?

Add to all that is what some call “the dumbing down of America” or perhaps more, the world. Us ‘old people’ observe the inability of many to think objectively and critically, to evaluate logically, to ‘connect the dots’ and use their brains. Many working in retail cannot make change at the till, a small example. Conversation centers around what others think and do. Fake news is like a pandemic. Fear or ignorance is behind many decisions. Sources of good research are abandoned for social media which is more like gossip, wishful thinking, and a whole lot of supposing and rumors that become true as they get passed around. The world has thrown away its anchor and we are adrift — and paying the price.

While I cannot ‘fix’ the world, I can hold to my anchor and pray that God will reveal Himself to those who will respond in faith and obedience. We need righteousness because “when the righteous increase, the people rejoice” and the “righteous man sings and rejoices” and “a righteous man knows the rights of the poor” and even though “the wicked increase” and “transgression increases, the righteous will look upon their downfall.” (Proverbs 29:16) Oh Lord, please have mercy on us all.