Want to be happy? Obey the Vision.

 Pro 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

I have heard many people use this verse incorrectly. Normally, it is used to promote a building campaign or encourage people to give more money.

When the verse is used, it is usually only half the verse that gets published.

The truth of the matter is the verse has nothing to do with building but has all to do with obedience.

The Hebrew word Chazon which translates, dream, revelation, or oracle, in the context of the sentence, refers to hearing or receiving the law. The second half of the verse confirms this because it shows the reverse position of the proverb. “…but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Reading this verse any other way makes no sense.

Perhaps a different way of reading the verse would be, without the receiving of the law, the people perish.

Happiness comes by being obedient.

We know that was the story of Israel through the ages. They would receive the law and obey and be blessed. Later, they would reject the law and disobey and go into captivity.

It’s a simple lesson for us to understand and Job said it very well in:

Job 36:11  If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

Job 36:12  but if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

Job is telling us the same thing we tell our children. Listen to us and do what we tell you and it will go well in your life.

I think that if we look at what we tell our children and expect from them; and then take that and let it be our exact attitude to following God, we will have much better lives.

 

God spoke to Jeremiah concerning those he brought out of Egypt. (Jer 7:23)  But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Without belaboring the point, I would end this by saying that many times we might get our own insights into doing things. We might think, Oh, I could do such and such and fare so well. Yet, if it is not God’s word, following that kind of reasoning will have repercussions.

God can take care of our building funds without our misusing His words.