Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

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

Eisegesis: 

Where there is no visionary leadership, people and corporations fail. The church must have a long-term goal and plan otherwise they will perish.

Exegesis:   

While, in principle, good leadership will help an organization succeed, it is not however, what Solomon had in mind when writing this verse. The point of the Proverb is that when there is no prophetic word from God to guide the people, they will cast off all moral restraint and follow their own evil devices. 

This verse has been commonly used to motivate members of the congregation to contribute or subscribe to a new vision, church building program, outreach programs and so on.

However, as we will see the original meaning of this verse has nothing to do with having a ‘prophetic’ revelation.

The Hebrew word used is “Hazon,” which means “God’s revelation” and not “vision.”

Bible translators have had their doubts when translating the word Hazon. They have, however, corrected their understanding of it to mean “God’s revelation.” Only the King James Version quotes it as ‘visionary’; all newer translations use “God’s revelation.”

So in context, the word Hazon used here refers to a divine communication to the prophets who were God’s spokesmen. The scripture aims to tell us that when there is no revelation (from above), we will have no direction and eventually end up as savages running wild.

Throughout the Old Testament accounts, we see how God was always reveals Himself through the proclamations of His prophets (like Jeremiah and Isaiah) who functioned as agents of revelation.

The word “perish” has also has been misunderstood. It’s not an implication that churches will cease to exist if they don’t have a visions nor does it indicate that unbelievers will perish in hell if the church does not get a vision for the lost. The word in context simply means “to cast off all restraint.”

So the point of the Proverb, then, is that when there is no prophetic word from God to guide the people, they will cast off all moral restraint and follow their own evil devices. Without God’s law and guidance people are prone to succumb to their sinful desires which will ultimately lead them to perish.

As we can see, this verse says nothing of the importance of having a church led by vision or a visionary person. This verse emphasizes the importance of honoring God’s revelation and warns against those who would water it down by careless or deliberate misuse.

Ultimately, the vision / revelation of the prophets that was hidden for ages and generations is now revealed to us through the person of Jesus Christ.

Here are a few verses that confirm this;

Colossians 1:26 (NKJV)

the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

Romans 16:25 (NKJV)

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began

Ephesians 3:9 (NKJV)

and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

We now can rejoice knowing that we have the fullness of the vision and revelation of God as revealed to us in the Scriptures. We don’t need a visionary leader to conjure up new ideas or plans; rather, we need faithful servants who uphold and proclaim God’s Word, guiding the church in obedience to His revelation. It is through the Scriptures and the work of the Holy Spirit that we find direction, wisdom, and purpose, ensuring that we remain grounded in truth and steadfast in our mission to glorify God and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.