Use And Abuse
"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Prov. 29:18.
Possibly this verse of scripture has been used to build larger and better meeting houses more times than any other. If it has not been used to build houses it has been used to get the brethren to raise their sights and shoot at higher goals in other endeavors.
I am certain that larger and better meeting houses should be built. In some places that is! I am certain too, that some brethren need to raise their sights. Some others need to lower theirs. Still others should learn that the sight is on the top side of the barrel.
If a house is built or the sights are raised, the above verse of scripture is the wrong one to use. Let us see how the word "vision" is used in other places. "According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David." I Chron. 17:15. "Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet..." II Chron. 32:32. "The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz..." Isa. 1:1. Concerning false prophets we find this, "Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision... " Jer. 14:14. Again, "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Harken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord." Jer. 23:16.
If we will read the whole verse on Proverbs it will be seen that "vision" has the same meaning as it does in the verses just cited. "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Very clearly the idea is taught that people perish where there is no law of God, but where there is obedience to the law of God the opposite is the result. Build a house? Raise your sights? Let us use, not abuse, God's word.