We Need Righteous Rulers

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

I am convinced that Solomon had more in mind with this proverb than our governing authorities, but that is where my observations, interpretations, and applications went first when I thought about this verse.

The Bible tells us the importance of character – especially justice – in our governing authorities. If we cannot trust those who rule over us and have been appointed by God (Rom 13:1-7), we are that much more vulnerable to frustration, disappointment, and worry. If we have people in office over us who are working for the interest of others (Phil 2:3-4), we are most delighted and thankful, because we know that those who rule do things for our good.

Righteous rulers benefit everyone in society. And the opposite is true: everyone suffers when our governing authorities are evildoers.

One extreme example of this reality was King Herod whose jealousy for competitive rulers sought to find the Messiah, who had been recently born, and kill Him. Thus, his unrighteous jealousy led him to go throughout Judea killing newborns (Matt 2:16-18). Imagine the level of groaning and mourning taking place throughout the land as the wicked King Herod was commanding a genocide.

What a terrible moment in the history of Judea and Bethlehem! The best guess for how many children were slaughtered is between 20-30, based upon a probable population of about 1,000 citizens. Bethlehem was not a huge city, but even that relatively small number of children – even one child – would have been devastating.

Perhaps this verse should carry more weight on us when we are re-electing our leaders. Perhaps this verse should fuel our prayerful petitions when we think about whom God would have govern us. And perhaps, we should set an example of righteousness for other men and women so they too might see the importance of having righteousness increase in our land.