This Proverb says, “By the transgression of the land many are its princes, but by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.” This Proverb speaks of a country that has bad leadership. It is governed by leaders who are not grounded in God’s laws. As a result the country becomes unstable and weak. Accordingly the leader will not last very long. He will be replaced. Unless the new leadership is good, it may not last either. And so goes the cycle. Such a country will therefore have numerous leaders.
However, when a country is governed by a person with a godly perspective, it will survive and thrive. Such a leader has the qualities of understanding and knowledge, and they will tend to make good decisions. Their decisions will produce a better lifestyle for the people they lead. As a result the people will support such a leader’s continuation.
We see these cycles of government in the Old Testament. The 10 northern tribes of Israel had nothing but bad leaders. However, many of Judah’s kings were good. As a result, Judah’s kings served longer than Israel’s kings.
A time is coming when Judah will have another King. This King will be the best King of all. The Bible says that Jesus will be the best king the world has ever seen. His tenure will last forever.
