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Here we read a proverb that relates to the life, conduct and future of a true child of God. The business or work in which a true believer is skilled in points to bringing the gospel in truth. This is our business as ambassadors for Christ. The fact that a truly saved person or ambassador for Christ will "stand before kings" is pointing to our future home in heaven with Jesus who is King of kings:
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
The last phrase in this proverb contrasts the fact that the true Christian will spend eternity in heaven with the LORD instead of "standing before mean men". The term "mean men" points to the ultimate mean force who is satan and his seed who are antichrists. Likewise, I believe this has a dual meaning. While here on earth we should watch the companions we keep and try to stay close to those in whom we see Christ and who lift us up when we are oppressed and in need of spiritual help and comfort, thus avoiding the mean men here on earth as well as in our future lives through the grace of Jesus:
"Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! In mine ears said the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant. Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah. Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands. Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat." (Isaiah 5:8-17).
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