Election Day is almost here. For the first time ever all States members are to be elected on the same day (unless they were unopposed in their district). Can we learn from history what to look for in an elected leader?
Way back in history – around 1350 BC – the nation of Israel was known to be the people of God. The LORD God gave them the Ten Commandments and these became globally the basis of the jurisprudence of nations. And of course Jesus came from that nation when he was born in Bethlehem in AD Zero.
The most electable leader of that nation (apart from Jesus Christ) was King David who ruled in Jerusalem from 1000 BC to 970 BC. His epitaph is in bold above. He wrote these words towards the end of his life - a life of great blessing to his nation and one lived in fellowship with Almighty God the LORD.
First, David was a sinner. He committed adultery with Bathsheba – and arranged the death of her husband in battle. But he openly confessed his sin and was forgiven by Almighty God.
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‘It is a well-known fact that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it.' (Douglas Adams, author, 1952-2001)
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No wonder he could truthfully write and sing Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake….. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Second, David had the LORD God Almighty as his shepherd, the God of righteousness, generosity and forgiveness. Jesus was the Son of David, and the Son of the Most High God. Anyone who acknowledges a vertical responsibility and his/her love of the God of the Ten Commandments and of Our Lord Jesus Christ deserves a vote.
Third, when it comes to voting for Jersey’s leaders, we should think about whether they demonstrate that they are servant-leaders, like King David. The word “minister” means “one who serves, one who ministers to others”.
Fourth, King David knew, deep down in his heart and in all of his life’s experience, the truth of the statement which he made his epitaph: He who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is as the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through sunshine after rain.Wonderfully, that statement (see bold above) was also endorsed by the LORD God: ("The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me...")
What a super picture of the results – the outcomes – when rulers rule over men righteously and in the fear of God. These autumn days, it's a great joy to be outside in Jersey soon after sunrise: the clear light of a cloudless morning; the tender grass springing out of the earth; the sunshine after the rain, after the night, afyter all that is painfully awful in this present sick world.
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Vote for a person who follows Jesus Christ and who will rule over others righteously and in the fear of God.
King David was near life’s end. He wasn’t standing for election. He could tell it like is. In faithfulness to the people over whom he ruled he also set out his conviction about certain other potential leaders of the nation: The worthless, every one of them will be thrust away like thorns, because they cannot be taken in hand. Don’t touch the worthless. They’re like thorns. Don’t grasp those nettles. Don't elect them to purport to serve you.
The man who touches them must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear. They will be completely burned with fire in their place. Leave others to touch them – others who are prepared are armed. Leave them to those of like mind – they will burn one another in their world. Wise advice.
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