Proverbs 29:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

NIV: Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.

NASB: Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is one who keeps the Law.

CSB: Without revelation people run wild, but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.

NLT: When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

KJV: Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

NKJV: Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.

This verse emphasizes the extraordinary value of God's Word. Before the Bible was complete, God revealed His will through prophets. They communicated God's messages to the people. Solomon observes that the absence of divine revelation leads to moral and spiritual decline. Other lessons in the book of Proverbs point out the dangers which come with rejecting godly wisdom (Proverbs 3:1–2; 8:32–36).

Without divine revelation people follow the dictates of their sinful nature. Instead of society experiencing calm, society wallows in chaos. This happened in the era of the Judges. First Samuel 3:1 tells us, "And the word of the Lᴏʀᴅ was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision." Judges 21:25 reports that in the times of the judges, "There was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Invariably, when people do whatever they prefer, they do what is wrong according to the Lord's will. Today, as in all times throughout history, the culture needs to know what is acceptable to God; the Bible supplies the information.

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.

Accessed 4/28/2024 9:50:24 PM