Thoughts about God and LEADERS
by Rick Jenkins, Ed.D. (May 2016)
In Romans 13:1, Paul stated that "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." (NIV) Other scripture support what Paul is saying.
- Proverbs 8:15: "By me kings reign. . ." (NIV)
- Daniel 2:21: ". . . he deposes kings and raises up other . . ." (NIV)
- Psalms 75:7: "It is God who judges. He brings one down, he exalts another." (NIV)
- Daniel 4:17: ". . . the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth. . ." (NIV)
So according to the above, all earthly leaders are appointed by God.
This seems logical for many leaders. Consider King David and King Solomon. The Bible teaches us that God was certainly with them. Consider more modern leaders such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. These were Godly men that led our nation.
But how do we explain the evil leaders of history? Men such as:
If God appoints our leaders, why would he appoint such evil leaders? According to wordpress.com, God does this for two general reasons: "1) God does it to judge a people or nation and/or 2) God does it to bring about an even greater good." (Source: https://500questions.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/38-does-god-appoint-evil-leaders/)
Nebuchadnezzar certainly fits the category of judging a people or a nation. Nebuchadnezzar was used by God to punish the nation of Israel for their failure to follow God. They were taken into captivity.
But has God appointed every leader in all of history? Matthew 5:45 states that: ". . . He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (NIV) This scripture has generally been understood to mean that God does not control every facet of human life on earth, i.e., that many things happen by chance. If you have a fender-bender in your car, could be your poor driving skills (or that of the other driver) be responsible rather than God's will? He does send rain for our benefit (to grow crops and enliven the foliage) but rain also causes floods leading to loss of life and property. Are all such events God's will or is it simply chance? God knows, but he does not tell us his plans before hand.
Jethro's advice to Moses was "But select capable men from all the people - men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain - and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundred, fifties, and tens." (Exodus 18:21, NIV) (Jethro was Moses' father-in-law.) While Jethro's advice was specifically about judges, I believe that this is God's instruction to us on how we should choose our leaders. God desires that we support and vote for men that fear and respect God and hate dishonesty.
According to Ezekiel 18: God gives us free will: "Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all of your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall."
Free will is our ability to make choices. Godly people should make Godly choices. 1 Peter 1:15-16 states: "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" (NIV) God grants us free will but he wants us to always follow his law and principles.
Therefore, I believe that God does not choose all leaders all of the time. I believe that he is selective in his participation. However, he wants us to exercise our free will in choosing leaders, but he always wants us to follow his advice in selecting Godly leaders. He wants us to choose who He would choose. Free will along with Jethro's advice to select Godly leaders are God's instructions to us regarding how we should select our leaders and all people in positions of authority - both inside and outside of the church. Christian's should always seek out the Godly leader to support. If we do not follow his guidance in selecting leaders, he may select a leader to deliver punishment to us for not following him.
How can you recognize the Godly leaders to support? He gives us instructions. "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:16-20, NIV)
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