Proverbs 28:2: Factions

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

Proverbs 28:2 NIV

In the Old Testament, Israel was in constant flux. They were led by 12 different judges and the northern kingdom of Israel had 9 separate dynasties at its helm.

Their pattern was rebellion, repentance, return, and repeat.

1. They rebelled against God by worshiping idols (Exodus 32; 1 Kings 18).
2. They repented and returned to worshiping him (Ezra 10).
3. They repeated the cycle!

Proverbs 28:2 shines light on why this happens.

Factions in Our Countries

When a country lacks discerning and knowledgable leadership, it falls into disorder. Disorder breeds rebellion and builds factions that fight constantly, ripping a nation’s fabric apart.

Israel was Exhibit A. But pretty much every fallen empire in history plays the same tune.

While Proverbs 28:2 applies to nations, it also lifts the proverbial hood on our own hearts.

Factions in Our Hearts

When we pursue idols over God or are influenced most by voices other than the Good Shepherd’s, personal rebellion soon follows. Internally, our hearts’ affections fracture. We lose focus on seeking God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33).

Suddenly, instead of a central pursuit, we’re ripped in multiple directions.

It could be chasing after money (greed)… pursuing sinful sexual relationships (lust)… caring more about what people think than what God thinks (fear of man)… or any of a million other things.

This produces factions in our own hearts.

Today’s devotion by Jordan Loftis, author of two bestselling books Today We Win and The Men With Bare Feet, host of The Bible Better Podcast, and editor of Short Daily Devotions.