Why do Americans need to know about kings? We are citizens of a Federal Republic. We get to elect our own leaders. In fact, when we go into the voting booth, together we wield the sovereignty of the United States.

But that’s all the more reason we need to pay attention to Proverbs 25:2-7. If we want our country to be established in righteousness, if we want our laws and cultural practices to come more and more into line with God’s perfect will for us, then we need to do what we can to put away wickedness from us. And given that verse 5 warns kings against tolerating the presence of wicked men, perhaps we would also do well to consider matters of character when we choose our elected officials.

And of course Proverbs 25:7 has universal application. Jesus Himself quoted this proverb in Luke chapter 14, encouraging everyone to adopt an attitude of humility, not just in the presence of kings, but in all our social interactions. If we seek to exalt ourselves in the eyes of others, we shouldn’t be surprised if we are humbled instead.

But there is another sense in which all of us American Christians do have a King – King Jesus. And so we need to humble ourselves before Him every day. Instead of pretending to be worthy of honor (Proverbs 25:6), we need to rely on His gracious mercy to forgive us. Instead of trying to figure out all His plans for our lives (Proverbs 25:3), we need to rest in His perfect wisdom, seeking His guidance every step of the way.

For no matter how hard we try, only Jesus can search out and reveal to us the true knowledge of God, as He says in Matthew 11:27: “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son, except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

May we all humbly submit ourselves to King Jesus today, believing His Word, following His leading, and doing His will. For no matter how unreliable any of our human leaders may be, He will never lead us astray.

Proverbs 25:2-7 (NASB)

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith;
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men;
7 For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.