Search Things Out - Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:2

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; To search out a matter is the glory of kings. 

This proverb gives us insight on how important it is for someone in charge (a leader; parent; teacher) to search out what is going on before making decisions. Leadership has, as one of its goals, the need to solve problems. The person who knows the problem exists isn’t necessarily a leader. The person who knows it exists, knows the solution and knows the resources needed to make the solution happen is the better leader. This proverb gives us insight into that process. It is a contrasting proverb: Meaning the second line contrasts the first. God can “hide” things and doesn't need the counsel of others, because He is God. But, it is the humble leader that will go to others to get wisdom and counsel over problems. Poor leaders think they know it all and therefore don’t have to “seek” out more truth. Only God has that privilege. Good parents, business leaders and community leaders seek out truth through others.  When Nehemiah left captivity to return to Jerusalem, it was his desire to rebuild the walls of this great, favored city.   When he arrived, after everyone else was asleep, he searched out the situation and became familiar with each breach in the wall.  Note the following:

Nehemiah 2:11-12

So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding.

This story is as good as it gets to exemplify the above proverb.   Nehemiah was a ruler who had something in his heart.  He loved Jerusalem.  He saw it devastated and nothing like it was in in his memory.  He envisioned something different.   He searched out, in private, how to do create it.   It is the glory of a king to search out a matter.   Wisdom is to be searched out.   Search out what you need to know.  He had to prioritize his work, abandon some and focus on others.   This proverb tells us that just as it is to God’s glory to “conceal” it is a leader’s glory to “search out.”