Proverbs 29:18 - Revelation and Behavior.

Pro.29:18; Revelation and Behavior.

Prov 29:18 (KJV)  Where there is no vision, the people perish: 
but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.  

Prov 29:18 (NIV)  Where there is no revelation, the people cast 
off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. 

Prov 29:18 (NCV)  Where there is no word from God, people are 
uncontrolled, but those who obey what they have been taught are happy. 

Prov 29:18 (TEV)  A nation without God's guidance is a nation 
without order.  Happy is the man who keeps God's law! 

Prov 29:18 (TLB)  Where there is ignorance of God, crime runs 
wild; but what a wonderful thing it is for a nation to know and keep 
his laws. 

The KJV has led many to misinterpret this verse. vision--does not 
mean the ability to formulate goals and plans, but "God's revelation" 
(NIV). [Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown Commentary] 

Vision. i.e., prophetic revelation. Without prophetic revelation 
from God, people are unrestrained and fall under judgment. [Ryrie 
SB] 

"Vision" refers to words from God received by prophets. Where 
there is ignorance of God, crime and sin run wild. Public morality 
depends on the knowledge of God, but it also depends on keeping God's 
laws. In order for both nations and individuals to function well, 
people must know God's ways and keep his rules. [Life Application SB] 

That gospel is an open vision, which holds forth Christ, which 
humbles the sinner and exalts the Saviour, which promotes holiness in 
the life and conversation: and these are precious truths to keep the 
soul alive, and prevent it from perishing. [Matthew Henry 
Commentary] 

"Where there is no vision . . . ." When once we lose sight of 
God, we begin to be reckless, we cast off certain restraints, we cast 
off praying, we cast off the vision of God in little things, and 
begin to act on our own initiative. If we are eating what we have out 
of our own hand, doing things on our own initiative without 
expecting God to come in, we are on the downward path, we have lost the 
vision. Is our attitude to-day an attitude that springs from our vision 
of God? Are we expecting God to do greater things than He has ever 
done? Is there a freshness and vigour in our spiritual outlook. 
[Chambers, Oswald, My Utmost for His Highest] 

In today's society the Bible has been trampled upon by the feet 
of man.  No longer do the masses look to the book of books for 
instruction in righteousness but perish with humanist views and new age 
propaganda.  Each man doing what is right in his own eyes. Nations 
throughout history have and always will fall without the guidance of God.  
The validity of the scriptures is being attacked on every side.  
Have they not read, have they not heard, God will preserve his word 
throughout eternity.  Many have tried to destroy it and have failed 
miserably.  I challenge those who deny that the scriptures come from God to 
seek out and do a fervent study, look at the evidences that surround 
us...do not take the easy way out, give a reason for what you spew 
about.  Look to history. Suzanne Whelan suewhelan@mediaone.net 

The world operates on vision.  God's people live by revelation.  
The world seeks grand and noble purposes and goals to achieve.  
People dream up the greatest and most satisfying things in which they 
can invest their lives.  Institutions establish goals and objectives 
and then organize themselves to achieve them.  God's people function 
in a radically different way.  Christians arrange their lives based 
on the revelation of God, regardless of whether it makes sense to 
them.  God does not ask for our opinion about what is best for our 
future, our family, our church, or our country.  He already knows!  What 
God wants is to get the attention of His people and reveal to us 
what is on HIS heart and what is HIS will, for God's ways are not our 
ways! (isa. 55:8-9). 
Whenever people do not base their lives on God's revelation, 
they "cast off restraint."  That is, they do what is right in their 
own eyes.  They set their goals, arrange their agendas, and then 
pray for God's blessings.  Some Christians are living far outside the 
will of God, yet they have the audacity to pray and ask God to bless 
their efforts!   
The only way for you to know God's will is for Him to reveal it 
to you.  You will never discover it on your own.  When you hear 
from the Father, you have an immediate agenda for your life: 
obedience.  As the writer of Proverbs observed: "Happy is he who keeps the 
law." from "Experiencing God Day-by-Day", the January 7 entry. 
sharonkolff@juno.com