YouTube video sermon
Proverbs 29:18; 1 Peter 1:23-2:3; James 1:18, 21; James 6:63
As most of you know, one of my greatest passions is history. When I was young I was more likely to be seen reading non-fiction than fiction. Some of you have told me that you’ve learned bits and pieces of U.S. history and world history from my sermons that you didn’t even get in school. One aspect of history that I particularly enjoy is examining historical figures to see if reality matches our perception.
Often, I find myself attempting to vindicate a particular historical figure who’s been given unfair treatment in history. These days I find myself doing the same with Bible passages. There are a number of passages in the Bible that we use improperly. That is to say, the verse or verses seem to say one thing and we’re tempted to assuming that the meaning we’ve always held is the correct one, but upon closer examination the real meaning is completely different.
Today I want us to consider one such verse. So let me invite you to take your copy of God’s Word and turn with me to Proverbs 29:18. We’re also going to be looking at three (3) passages in the New Testament, so you might want to be ready to flip over there later.
While you’re finding your place let me take just a moment and give you a very quick overview of the Book of Proverbs. It’s in a section of the Bible that scholars often refer to as wisdom literature. The wisdom books are Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. It’s also in a section that’s referred to as “the writings.” That’s how the Hebrew scriptures are divided: the law, the prophets, and the writings.
It also has a very different kind of organization. There’s very little continuity from chapter-to-chapter and verse-to-verse. You’ll see a verse about money right next to a verse about sexual purity, then over to a verse about work and productivity, followed by a verse that speaks about educating and raising children. Now I suppose you could make an argument that those kinds of pairings could go together naturally, but it’s a little bit of a stretch.
The verses also tend to be shorter and pithy – just imagine a father and son(s) on a camping trip, or mothers and their daughters having a beach weekend, or a grandparent sharing life and life’s lessons with a grandchild. Many people generally attribute it to King Solomon, although there are other names and persons mentioned in the texts.
So, with that little bit of background let’s look at Proverbs 29:18. I’m going to read it to you from the King James Version, which is the one that’s most often quoted. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” It’s a verse that many Christians claim to provide a biblical basis for the importance of vision in leadership. For example, consider this brief sampling:
“My imagination influences my aspirations. In other words, your dreams determine your destiny. To accomplish anything, you must first have a mission, a goal, a hope, a vision. After all, without a vision the people perish.” – Rick Warren
“All memorable achievements were brought about by leaders who had vision. God uses visions to excite leaders because excited leaders get the most out of followers. Active followers accomplish much, and Christ’s Body keeps getting bigger thanks to prevailing local churches. That’s why Proverbs 29:18 clearly states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Let a leader grasp a godly vision, and then watch God work.” – Ken Godevenos
“Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained.” They can’t focus, can’t reach their goal, can’t follow their dream. An older translation says, “Without vision, the people perish.” I’ve seen it with my own eyes – without vision, people lose the vitality that makes them feel alive.” – Bill Hybels
In the workbook section of Transitioning, which is a text book for leading a church from a “program-driven” to purpose-driven model, Dan Southerland examines vision in the light of Proverbs 29:18, suggesting that we should interpret this verse in the present tense to read “Where there is no visioning…” the people perish.
One pastor, quoting this passage, writes, “Without a planned destination, no one knows where to go. In churches, that leads to people doing ministry without a purpose. Programs drive these churches because no one has determined where the church is going. A vision statement paints a picture of the ideal future of your ministry and focuses prayer, energy, and resources.”
What’s the vision these church leaders are referring to? Well one person defines vision as a picture of what God wants to do. “Vision is a picture of what God will do in His church if we get out of His way and turn Him loose to do so.” Bill Hybels says that “vision is a picture of the future that produces passion.” According to these men, vision is an integral part of church leadership. And it is, but is that what this verse is saying?
It’s true; a leader who doesn’t cast and follow vision, leads his church towards destruction. But is that what we’re supposed to take away from this passage? The words “the people perish” is often interpreted by proponents of church growth to mean that churches without clear vision will lose members and be unable to grow and flourish. But is that conclusion supported by this verse?
It’s interesting to note that all of these men have quoted the King James Version’s rendering of Proverbs 29:18, which is why I read it. But it’s a little strange too. You see, I doubt that many (if any) of these guys would ever preach from the King James Version. And I’m quite certain they wouldn’t recommend it for study or devotional reading. So why would they quote from this old translation? Well, let’s hear the first part of this verse from a few other translations:
NIV – Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint…
NLT – When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild…
CEV – Without guidance from God law and order disappear…
NKJV – Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint…
HCSB – Without revelation people run wild…
ESV – Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint…
AMP – Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish…
Clearly, the meaning of these translations is vastly different than the meaning of the King James’ rendering. And it really comes down to two words. The Hebrew word that’s causing most of the trouble is chazon, which refers specifically to a “prophetic vision.” Now this isn’t vision in the sense of “a picture of the future that produces passion,” but rather divine revelation, God’s words. Furthermore, “perish” doesn’t mean “die.” It means “to cast off restraint.”
So, the meaning of the verse is clear. Where there is no prophetic vision or revelation from God the people cast off restraint, no longer faithfully interpreting God’s Word and His Laws.
I also want you to note that none of the authors I mentioned earlier completed the verse. The King James renders the rest of the verse as follows: “but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” The ESV says “but blessed is he who keeps the law.” The word “but” contrasts something from the first clause and the second. Obviously, what’s being contrasted is those who cast off restraint when there’s no revelation from God with those who keep the Law of God regardless.
In the time that remains, I want to use this passage as a springboard and offer three other texts that speak of the importance of keeping God’s Word and not casting off restraint and running wild in these chaotic times.
Spiritual Milk
1 Peter 1:23-2:3, “[S]ince you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding Word of God; for
‘All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the Word of the Lord remains forever.’
And this Word is the good news that was preached to you. So, put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation – if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
- The miracle of new-birth, or regeneration, or salvation is facilitated by the Word of God. Now I want to be careful here. I’m splitting a theological hair. I’m making an important distinction here. Listen to me closely. The Bible is really clear that our being born again, our being made right in the eyes of God, our becoming a child of God is by grace through faith. So, here’s the distinction I’m making: we are NOT saved by reading or even “knowing” the Bible, however our salvation, our being born again does indeed grow by and through the reading and studying and obeying of the Word of God.
- Our experience of that miracle, our experience of being born again is described here as “tasting that the Lord is good.” Before we were born again, before we became children of the King, the Lord did NOT taste good. He tasted bad. The Word was boring. His cross was foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18). Heaven was unreal. Nothing about this faith was satisfying or real, but NOW, having been born again, we’ve tasted. There are taste buds on the tongues of our souls, as it were, and God and His Word are delicious. The Psalmist says that God’s Word is “sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb” (Psalm 19:10, NLT).
- Nevertheless, notwithstanding all that I’ve just shared with you, we have to be told to desire this spiritual food. In other words, “eating” this spiritual meal is not automatic. Peter wouldn’t tell us to do this if it was automatic. Our desires rise and fall. They’re passionate one day and lukewarm the next.
- Desire the Word of God so that you may grow up in your salvation. That means that the evidence of your new birth will be shown by your ongoing “feeding” on the Word of God, which works in you all the kinds of things that keep you on the narrow road of eternal life.
So, what we need to ask ourselves this morning is this: if we’re not pursuing a daily strategy of “feeding” on the Word of God, then what’s our alternative strategy for growing in our faith and salvation? If it’s not the Bible, if it’s not God’s own Word, then what is it that we’re looking to in order to grow in our faith? Otherwise we might cast off restraint, our souls might become cold to the things of God.
Save Your Souls
James 1:18, 21, “Of His own will [God’s] He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures… Therefore, put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
It’s interesting, Peter and James are essentially saying the same thing. They’re not quoting one another (we know that because the language is so different), nevertheless they’re saying the same thing.
One, God brought us forth unto salvation by the Word. Peter says, “you have been born again…through the living and abiding Word of God,” and James says, “Of His own will He brought us forth by the Word of truth…”
Second, Peter says “long for the pure spiritual milk,” and James says “receive with meekness the implanted Word…” It’s already in you. You’ve been born again by it, now go on embracing it, receiving it, meditating on it, praying over it, “eating” it, savoring it.
Third, Peter says, “that by it you may grow up into salvation,” and James says, “which is able to save your souls.”
This is really serious. Both Peter and James say that the Christian life begins with the new birth, which is brought about by the Word. Both of them stress that in order to make it home to eternal salvation we need to be receiving the Word meekly and drinking in the Word daily, because by it we grow up into our salvation. God’s Word keeps us in a vital, happy fellowship with Jesus and brings us safely home. Isn’t that exactly what Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law”?
Spirit and Life
John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
There it is. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. To which, Peter responds (v. 68), “Lord, to whom then shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Real and genuine followers of Jesus realize that God’s way of getting them home is preserving them and keeping them in fellowship with Christ by saying, “My words are your life.”
So, here, at the beginning of another year, oh how I pray that the Holy Spirit of God would work in our hearts so that we would hear this message – not as a burden but as life. Would we treasure and cherish God’s Word as one of our most significant possessions? Would we spend time reading God’s Word – not as an obligation, not because we get a cosmic star on our reading chart if we do – but because in doing so we grow in our salvation. May we truly taste and see that the Lord is good.