This is Spoken Gospel. We are dedicated to seeing Jesus in all of scripture. In each episode, we see what’s happening in a Biblical text and how it sheds light on Jesus and His Gospel. Let’s jump in. The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about the leadership and wisdom exercised by the king of Israel. But Solomon’s wisdom equally applies to all of us,  whether we lead governments, families, or the late shift.  He reminds us that leaders especially need both humility and wisdom. Occupying the corner office on the top floor,  standing four feet taller than one’s children, or   wearing the title “supervisor” can trick leaders  into making more of themselves than they should. Leaders must remember, they are still ruled by and accountable to God. God can change their fortunes in a moment. Good leaders aren’t primarily motivated by profit, political power, pragmatism, or “because that’s what my parents did.” They rule by God’s wisdom. To rule any other way invites disaster, civil war,  organizational distrust, and dysfunctional family systems.  To wisely lead isn’t just a commitment  to the principles of humility and wisdom. It means leading yourself and those in your  care to love God and keep his commandments. More specifically, it means caring for  the poor and advocating for justice. In addition to seeking wisdom, Proverbs places a heavy and unique burden on leaders to protect the poor and execute justice.  Solomon’s father David was promised by God that one of his sons would lead a kingdom that would last forever.  David hoped it would be Solomon, but it wasn’t.  Solomon hoped it would be his son, but it wasn’t. While Solomon didn’t know the identity, he knew the type of king who would reign forever. Proverbs 29:14 says, “if a king judges the poor with fairness,  his throne will be established forever.”  Proverbs 29:4 prophecies that “by justice a king gives his country stability.” The son God promised David is Jesus. He was both a descendant of David and the type  of king that Solomon wanted his son to become. Jesus begins his ministry by announcing “the Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to   proclaim good news to the poor...to set the oppressed free and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”. Jesus is the wise King and leader of Proverbs. If you are poor, oppressed, or marginalized  by your kingdom or nation, this is good news. Jesus is your King, and he is going to war  against corruption and evil on your behalf. He even fights the evil corruption of death. Unlike David and Solomon, who  have decayed and decomposed,   Jesus still rules uncorrupted  and undecayed on his throne. And this is good news for those of us  who are leaders because ultimately,   we are never the most powerful  people in the room—Jesus is. This not only frees us from the weight and  heaviness of leadership as we trust Jesus’ power,   but it also emboldens us to sacrifice our  privileges, powers, rights, and profit lines. As we sacrificially lead like Jesus, we can  be confident that our families, offices,   and marriages will join God’s ever-expanding  Kingdom and experience his never-ending mercy. May the Holy Spirit open your eyes  to see the God who rules all kings. And may you see Jesus who sits on a throne administering justice to the oppressed and grace to those who lead.