The Bible tells us by precept and example the kind of leaders we should choose: Those who fear/reverence God and serve the best interest of the people. The great leader Nehemiah said, “The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking food and wine from them, as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but I didn’t do this, because of the fear of God” (5:15; HCSB). Evidently, he was mindful of Exodus 18:21, “You shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them….” Abraham Lincoln understood this principle when he said in his Gettysburg address, “We here highly resolve … that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” We need the kind of government leaders described in Esther 10:3, “For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people….” This attitude was expressed by Paul in Php. 2:4, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Regarding Timothy, Paul said in Php. 2:20-21, “For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.” Without the fear of God in those who hold political office, or who run the government as administrators, government tends to become self-serving and oppressive of the citizens. So keep this in mind as you vote! Does the candidate fear God, always wanting to do what is right? Does the candidate want to empower and enlarge government, or primarily look out for the interests of the people? In 1 Samual 8:10-17 God warned Israel what would happen if they insist on having a king like the other nations. Essentially, they would lose both liberty and income. Finally, does the political leader use their office to become wealthy? Few candidates come close to the biblical ideal. All we can do is choose those who come closest to these ideals. |
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