Proverbs 29:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.

NIV: Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.

NASB: Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for mankind comes from the Lord.

CSB: Many desire a ruler’s favor, but a person receives justice from the Lord.

NLT: Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the Lord.

KJV: Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord.

NKJV: Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for man comes from the Lord.

When searching for justice, it's common to look first to human leaders. Governments, rulers, judges, and others were put in place for the purpose of enacting justice (Romans 13:2–5). Yet those figures are fallible. Sometimes, they are corrupt. It is not wrong to "seek the face" of leaders or hope they will do the right thing. Still, the ultimate source of all justice is God. His judgment, not the actions of anyone on earth, will be the ultimate righting of all wrongs (Romans 12:17–19; Revelation 20:11–15).

Believers are encouraged to approach God in prayer, in part because He promises to provide help in hard times (Hebrews 4:16). In 2 Timothy 4:14 the apostle Paul commented about being mistreated by Alexander the coppersmith, yet he expressed confidence God would be the one to repay Alexander for that harm. Every believer receives a degree of persecution, but the Lord is faithful to be with us and to ultimately bring all things to justice (Hebrews 4:12–13; 13:5; 2 Corinthians 5:19–21; 2 Peter 3:9–13). Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:18: "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom." In James 5 we read that the Lord knows the injustice believers suffer at the hands of unscrupulous unbelievers, and James points out that the Lord will judge the offenders. He counsels: "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord" (James 5:7).

Proverbs 29:12–27 completes the collection of Solomon's wise sayings (Proverbs 25:21). This passage discusses various relationships. Common themes are interactions with government leaders, parental discipline, and authority figures. Solomon also makes comments about pride and the inherent conflict between righteousness and evil.

Much of this passage refers to negative consequences of unwise attitudes or behavior: stubbornness leads to brokenness. Lack of self-control brings shame. Ignorant, ungodly rulers spread sin and corruption. Pride leads to humiliation. Most of these statements follow the two-part pattern established elsewhere in the book of Proverbs. The final lesson summarizes the deep difference between those who are godly and those who pursue their own desires.

This concludes the collection of Solomon's proverbs which King Hezekiah's men collected (Proverbs 25:1). Like previous passages, chapter 29 contrasts wisdom and folly, the benefits of heeding God's law and the devastating consequences of disobeying it, and the blessings of righteousness compared to the curses of sin.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.