Proverbs 25:2

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about leadership: 

Proverbs 25:2-7 (ESV)

2 It is the glory of God to conceal things,

but the glory of kings is to search things out.

3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,

so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver,

and the smith has material for a vessel;

5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,

and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence

or stand in the place of the great,

7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

In the above set of proverbs, we have several aspect of leadership that help understand leadership, as well as help us work with and interact with leaders.   Note:

1.  Leaders are to be curious, inquisitive and diggers of truth.   In verse two we read that they are to “search things out.”  They are not to take the easiest argument. They are not to take the familiar path.  They are not to take the “group-think-latest-flavor-of-the-month-philosophy.”   They are to “search things out.”

2.  Leadership is meant to be deep.  Verse three tells that a leader is, at times, unsearchable.   In Psalms 145:3 we read that God is great and His ways unsearchable.   Leadership is not for the light thinker.   Because they don’t follow the simple thoughts of the crowd (see verse 1), they are deeper in thought and mind than their followers.   This is not an excuse for a leaders to be an enigma, but it is the reason they often are.   In Hebrews 4:11-12 we read that God’s Word is the only instrument that can cut through this ambiguity of leadership.   

3. According to verses four and five, leadership can have a stronger leadership presence and more beneficial leadership following if they weed out the wicked from their midst.   Having a “throne established in righteousness” is equivalent in our day of having a culture that magnifies God.  It is doubtful most corporations have in their mission statement, “glorify God everyday.”   But, when a leader weeds out unrighteousness the net result is righteousness can flourish and grow - impacting the culture. 

4.  In verses six and seven we have look into the position of leadership.  The verses don’t talk about a quality of leadership, but simply what the position projects.   To be called into the presence of great leadership is an honor, according to these proverbs.   To simply assert yourself into their world is foolish, according to Solomon.   The point he is making is that humility is essential if you want to impact leadership above you.   We don’t just rush into their presence.   There is a power about leadership.  God ordains leadership.  We ought not take it lightly.  We ought not treat it with disrespect.  Romans 13 tells us what that respect looks like and why God puts leaders in place.   When working with leadership we ought to remember that they are ordained of God and placed there by God (Psalms 75:7).   We ought never to rush in an attempt to impact them.   

These are four important lessons about leadership.   When we understand God’s role in leadership and how He determines their course and their actions, we can better follow them and work with them.