Saturday, October 27, 2018

What Does the Bible Say about Electing Leaders?

Photo by Mary Ann Reitano 2008
This may seem like a strange question with a very short answer, because in Bible times, there were no nations governed by democratic choice. God Himself was the only authority over Adam and Eve; later He appointed Noah to repopulate the earth (Genesis 8:15-17) and Moses to lead His people (Exodus 3:10-22). 

The book of Judges describes how God designated various judges to govern His nations of Judah and Israel (Judges 2:16-23). Rather than following the righteous example of these judges, the people rebelled against their authority and against God Himself, worshiping false gods (Judges 2:16-23), for “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). 

Throughout the book, we see the repetitive cycle of man rebelling, followed by God judging His people. Then the people obeyed for a time, and God blessed the nation.
When a nation and its people prosper, and there is relative peace, citizens tend to believe they deserve their good fortune based on their own merits and want no part of God, just as the self-righteous sinner thinks he deserves heaven because of his own good works (Isaiah 64:6), and turns away from God’s Son.

But no man can be saved without trusting Jesus Christ Who died and was buried as the perfect sacrifice to pay for all our sins (John 1:29), and Who rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), proving that He is God and giving eternal life (John 3:16) to all who trust Him as Lord and Savior. Similarly, no nation can be blessed without seeking God’s will, obeying and honoring Him.

Samuel was not only a prophet, but also the last judge appointed by God. Thereafter, the people rebelled completely against God’s plan and demanded that they, like the other nations of the day, have a king. In effect, they were saying that they trusted an earthly king more than they trusted God, and that they rejected God’s reign over them. Through Samuel, God warned Israel of the dangers of having a king rather than judges, for a king would be tempted to use his power for his own self-interest and for that of his family, even if it meant oppressing God’s people (1 Samuel 8:4-22).

But the rebellious people did not listen, so God allowed them to have a series of kings. Thereafter, we again see the cycle of man rebelling, usually under the rule of a king who dishonored God, followed by God’s judgment. Then the people realized their need for God, at least for a while, encouraged to do so by the example of a king who honored and obeyed Him, and the nation prospered by His grace.

At times, God’s judgment on Israel was so severe that He allowed her to be brought into captivity, as in Egypt and Babylon. During New Testament times, Israel was occupied by Roman officials who ruled over cities and nations, ultimately answering to Caesar, a type of emperor. Bible history seems to indicate that God gives nations what they deserve – good rulers when the people obey him, and bad rulers when they rebel. No power can take the throne unless God ordains it (Romans 13:1), “for the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations” (Psalm 22:28).

None of these rulers, even the good kings of Israel and Judah, were elected – they took power via inheriting, capturing, or overthrowing the throne. So based on Scripture, how is a Christian living in a democracy supposed to know how to vote?

First we can look at how God Himself distinguished good kings, like David and Solomon, from bad kings like Saul. David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), and repented earnestly when he fell into sin (Psalm 51). Solomon’s chief desire was for wisdom to know and serve God (1 Kings 3:7-9), even though he was later led astray by alliances with pagan women (1 Kings 11:1-13). 

Saul, on the other hand, was driven by greed, pride, and ruthless ambition (1 Samuel 8 - 31; 1 Chronicles 10).  God departed from Saul and deposed him because of his disobedience (1 Samuel 28: 15-19) allowing the nation to be defeated by the Philistines and Saul to die in disgrace (1 Samuel 31). 

 King Asa was a good king, for he “did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” (2 Chronicles 14:2), including destroying places of pagan worship, and commanding Judah to seek God and followHis laws. God rewarded his faithfulness by blessing the nation with peace, which Asa used productively to build fenced cities (2 Chronicles 14:3-7). Asa cried out to God in prayer to defend Judah against the invading Ethiopians, and God honored that prayer (2 Chronicles 14:11-12). 

If we as Christians wish to honor God in our civic duty, first we will humble ourselves before Him in earnest prayer for revival that we and our nation would turn from all wicked ways, knowing that He will hear and forgive us and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). And we must ask Him to give us wisdom as we vote, by choosing leaders who most closely align with His laws. No earthly leader obeys God perfectly, for all are men and women subject to the curse of sin (Romans 3:23).

With voting, as with any decision we face, Christians should seek God’s will, wisdom, and discernment. If we trust Him with all our heart, rather than our own understanding of personalities, political parties or economic issues, and if we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will guide our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Political issues about which Scripture illuminates God’s will include sanctity of life, support of Israel, and sanctity of marriage. God condemned infant sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21); He knew us from even before we were conceived (Psalm 139:16); He guided every step of our development in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-15); and His Spirit indwelled John the Baptist even before he was born, allowing him to recognize and rejoice over Jesus His Savior (Luke 1:41-44). 

God has promised to bless the nation that blesses Israel and to curse the nation that curses her (Genesis 12:2-3). Scriptural views on God-ordained marriage as being between one man and one woman begin with the creation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:21-24) and are reiterated by Jesus (Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12) and Paul (1 Corinthians 6: 15-20; Hebrews 13:4) in the New Testament.

If we are unsure of where candidates stand on these issues, we can check their voting record online and glean their views from their websites or other media. May we continue faithful in prayer for our nation’s spiritual health, and may we give thanks that no matter who wins the election, God is still on His throne!

© 2016 Laurie Collett
Reposted from the archives














9 comments:

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear Laurie,
Yes, I fully agree with you, Israel's demand for a king during Samuel's day was a tragedy for the nation, although it could be said, Samuel's sons weren't exactly shining examples of virtue, and therefore its not surprising that they failed to win the nation's trust.
The issue with Romans 13 was in my younger days a difficult one to take in. This when considering the appalling lifestyles of the Roman emperors, who were prepared to kill their own family members in order to secure their own power. And in more modern times, Adolf Hitler and his henchmen, the Communist regime of the Soviet Union, and so on.
I personally believe that it is a grace of God that we live in a democracy, as such, we can vote for our preferred leader. But whoever we may vote into power, they are there to keep evil under check and to reward those who do good.
An excellent post, God bless.

Laurie Collett said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Donald Fishgrab said...

Great post, Laurie.
God's plan has always been for the individual to accept his own responsibility before God. Mankind seems always to want someone else to take that responsibility, which is why they want a government to blame for the problems. As you point out we get the kind of government we deserve. In a democrcy, we can see exactly what we have chosen while in other types of government the people's choice is not as obvious.

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Frank,
Great point, that Samuel's sons not being ideally suited to leadership created a stumbling block. Still, the people could have waited for God to raise up a worthy judge, rather than rebelling against Him by wanting to be like all the Gentile nations, even though they were His chosen people.
Romans 13 is indeed difficult to follow, particularly when see wrongs committed by leaders, whom Scripture says God put in their place of power. Yet often He gives nations what they deserve, for good or for evil. Of course, if faced with the choice of disobeying God or our government, we must follow God.
Praise the Lord for democracy, and may He give us wisdom as we vote. Thanks as always for your insights and encouragement, and God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Donald! The blame game began in the Garden of Eden, with Adam blaming Eve, Eve blaming the serpent, and Adam blaming God for creating Eve. Sadly, human nature has not gotten any better.
God bless,
Laurie

Brenda said...

Hi Laurie,
the world is in great spiritual darkness at this moment in time, and I believe it is greatly to do with governments doing what sinful mankind wants just to be voted in. I just thank God that the warfare is spiritual and all enemies will be put beneath the Lord's feet, and He will destroy all dominion, authority, and power.
God bless you for sharing Laurie, it is lovely to interact and share scripture.

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Brenda,
Yes, there is spiritual wickedness in high places, including government, universities, and even many churches, just as Jesus predicted there would be in the End Times. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
God bless you and your lovely ministry,
Laurie

Susan said...

Hi Laurie, tried to post comment twice, so this will just say”hi” and “thank you” to let you know I passed this way to read your post ❤️ Love you and love your posts. 😊

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Susan,
Sorry to hear you had trouble posting a comment -- not sure why. :-( Love you too!
God bless,
Laurie