You’ve probably heard that title, which is actually a portion of scripture, prompting the need for leaders to set things in a direction or the people will perish in doing things on their own, rather than the cohesiveness as an organization. That’s true but that’s not what the text is saying. Sometimes it’s given in relation to personal goals and dreams, noting that when there is no vision, we perish from a lack of motivation. That may be true, but that is not what the text is saying. What is the text?
Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) — 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Actually, the English Standard Version adds some light on the subject as to the meaning behind Proverbs 29:18.
Proverbs 29:18 (ESV) — 18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
What God is saying through the pen of Solomon is that when the people do not have the word of God, hear the word of God, or follow the word of God they are left to a life of pandemonium, where there is no restraint which is noted as recorded in the books of history in the Bible.
1 Samuel 3:1 (ESV) — 1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
When Samuel came on the scene there was a dearth in the land regarding the word of God. There was no frequent vision or a prophet sounding out the word. Although it does not say in the passage above, we can certainly deduce that although Eli the priest and his two sons had the law, they and hence the people must have set it aside. The result was no prophetic vision for the people and the lack of restraint was everywhere.
Interesting enough that generations later the prophet Amos spoke the word of the Lord to the people reminding them that there was a famine in the land and that famine was a lack of hearing the words of the Lord.
Amos 8:11 (ESV) — 11 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.
Can’t this happen in our land or has it already? Certainly, it happens when individuals and families turn to things other than the word of God. Churches turn to things other than the word of God. What follows is a country that doesn’t know their right hand from their left in spiritual things and as Proverbs 29:18 declares, there is a lack of restraint.
Where does this lead? Follow the scene in 1 Samuel where it records how Israel was invaded by the Philistines so as the army went to battle, they decided to take the Ark of the Covenant from the tabernacle. It may have seemed logical since God met them at the ark, however God had many restrictions about moving the ark and in no case was the ark to be treated as a “good luck charm.” Nevertheless, the two priestly sons of Eli took the ark to the battle. The Philistines killed both sons and took the ark from Israel. Upon hearing the news, Eli fell off his seat backwards and broke his neck. His daughter in law, who was with child, gave birth and 1Samuel 4:21.
1 Samuel 4:21 (ESV) — 21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband.
That was quite a sad day in Israel, but we should take heed to the warning in the Scripture.
Psalm 9:17 (ESV) — 17 The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
What can we do? It does no good to go around and point the finger at others and talk about all that is wrong in our country. What everyone can do is get back to the word of God individually, as a family, and as a church. Notice the last part of Proverbs 29:18:
Proverbs 29:18 (ESV) — 18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
When you take heed to the word of God and read it, give attention to hear it, meditate upon it, memorize it, and of course apply the word, you are blessed by God as He has promised.
Revelation 22:7 (ESV) — 7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
This is a clear direction for all of us and one that through daily discipline can be applied to our lives. Where have you read in God’s word today? Can a person say that God is their Lord if they are not giving heed to His word? Notice again the blessings on those who walk in the light of His word.
Psalm 144:15 (ESV) — 15 Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!
What a simple and proven way to find direction and blessing in life.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out the PowerBreak Podcast wherever you download your podcasts or from Bob’s website: www.bobbrubaker.com. `
