Proverbs 8:15-16

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the need for leaders to have God’s wisdom:

Proverbs 8:15-16 (ESV Strong's)

By me kings reign,

and rulers decree what is just;

by me princes rule,

and nobles, all who govern justly.

You can go to any book store and find hundreds of books on leadership.   Each book will outline or emphasize skill-sets leaders should possess, operate by, and/or develop.   After reading a number of these manuscripts it would become apparent that few, if any, outline what Solomon just told us in the above proverb.    There is no doubt that most leadership gurus would tell you that wisdom is a vital part of leadership.  However, few write about it and tell us what Solomon has told us.   Solomon is a king and is in the best position to tell us about this aspect of leadership.  He was given a leadership position at an early age.   When asked by God what he wanted to be able to lead, Solomon didn't ask for any skill-set written by most leadership authors.   Instead, he asked for wisdom.   That is why in this chapter of Proverbs, where Wisdom is personified as someone calling out to the passer-by of life, wisdom is the principle thing every leader needs.   Wisdom comes from the fear of the Lord.   Every leader is established by God and should live in the fear of the Lord.  Those that do, have success in their leadership.  Those that don't, don't!

Leadership begs for wisdom.   Leadership wants wisdom more than anything else.   Yet, they don't always know they want it, need it or can seek it.   Solomon tells us in these two verses that God provides wisdom to those who lead.  It gives them the power to "reign"; to decree "justice"; to "rule"; and to "judge."   "Kings;" "rulers;" "princes;" and "nobles" are all titles for those in authority and in much need of leadership wisdom.  True, Biblical leadership, can't do without Godly wisdom.   We rule and reign with wisdom.   Seeking it gives us the capacity to rule and lead.   We can try to rule in other ways but only through Godly wisdom can we rule justly and in righteousness.   The last line gives us the key to the two verses: "All who judge rightly."   That phrase shows us what we do with Wisdom.  It shows us that Wisdom is the key component of leadership.   Again, wisdom is the "fear of the Lord."  So, the key ingredient to true wisdom and great leadership is acknowledgement that God is who He says He is.  We are to fear the Lord and that is the avenue to wisdom.   Wisdom is the avenue to great leadership.   Pursue God and get what you need for leadership.