Proverbs 28:12 (ESV)
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
This proverb is very similar to the following in the same chapter:
Proverbs 28:28 (NASBStr)
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
When you study leadership you will see that bad leaders depress the culture and good leaders improve the culture. You don't have to go deep into any organization, country or culture to observe such truth. However, unless you are familiar with Solomon's truth, stated above, you might not attribute "good" and "bad" leaders in a spiritual manner. Leadership principles are not always, and perhaps seldom, taught in a spiritual manner. Great leaders are Godly men and women. Poor leaders are wicked and unbelieving men. Now, that statement would not resonate with the vast majority of the public. Yet, that is what Solomon is telling us in the above. The difficulty is that we have many leaders "claiming" to be righteous who are wicked. This self-proclaimed righteous leaders dissuade us and cause the public to run from the "righteous" leader as a result of hypocrisy and confusion. Yet, the truth of the above proverb is not diminished. Godly men and women, who practice Biblical principles in their leadership, will be leaders who are praised by their followers. However, leaders who reject God's Word and follow principles established by the world that are contrary to God's Word will both fail to lead and fail to solicit praise and appreciation from their followers. They, the followers, may be thankful for the income, position or power the wicked leader establishes, but that is because they, too, are seeking the wrong values in life. God establishes all leadership. Only those established in God's Word actually garner glory worthy a leader. All the others are despised and, ultimately, rejected.
There are some who believe the proverbs are only observations of life and are "what should happen". If that were the case this proverb is certainly a good example of a truth we can observe across the globe. We know from other passages that God sets up rulers and takes others down (Psalm 75:7), so we have to read this proverb in light of that truth. I personally believe the proverbs are more then mere observations of what should happen in life. I believe they are principles to follow, promises to believe and precepts to obey. They are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So, when we see the above proverb we are to look at it as authoritative in our lives. When Godly leaders are in charge we know that people are blessed and there should be and will be great glory. When, on the other hand, evil men and women lead, people do not come out and rejoice, or publicly praise them. They "hide" themselves. They willing step into the background and don't want to associate with evil leaders. People will follow evil if they think they can get something from it. We might "observe" that some seek the evil person. But, the principle taught here is that as the world goes, that evil leaders, like those in some countries during out day, will cause men to hid from following them. They may not openly resist them, but they will withdraw from them. They only follow out of fear and do not rejoice in them. We ought to pursue and elect people who love God and Fear Him.
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