1. When a leader rules with justice (1-17)

If a leader rules his people with God's justice (1-14) and fair discipline (15-17), his people will be happy and the nation will be prosperous. If a ruler listens to lies, receives bribes, oppresses the poor, kills the upright, then the wicked will thrive, along with sin. A ruler disciplines his people too. The purpose of discipline is to make men and people walk in the way of righteousness and justice. We should discipline our children with the rod of correction. The stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed.

2. Where there is no revelation (18-27)

The KJV version of verse 18 reads as, "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." Vision comes from God's revelation. God revealed himself and his world purpose in his word. It is in his word that we find vision for ourselves and for our nation (Ex 19:6). If there is no national direction, people cast off restraint. They will perish (Hosea 4:6). We must fear God and put our trust in him (25-26).