When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice! When the wicked rule, the people
groan. ~Proverbs 29:2
By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down. ~Proverbs 29:4
I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream! ~Amos 5:21-24
I wonder what it would be like to live in a Theocracy. That’s what Israel was. God’s rule had been established for centuries before any government of man came about. Even then, Israel’s first leaders were usually charismatic, able to attract a following for a cause. Then, after a military victory was achieved, the people would disperse, back to their lives until the next crisis. The one constant was God, but the people didn’t realize it.
They thought they would be better off ruled by man. True, in part, the Israelites wanted a king because they wanted to keep up with the Joneses. “Everybody else has a king, why can’t we?” (1 Samuel 8) They didn’t like not knowing where their next leader would be coming from. They wanted predictability. The other nations seemed to be doing okay with their religions focused mostly on statues that they could move around, while the real power was in their human leader, so, why not give it a try?
So, God gave them what they wanted. First a weak man and then, in David, a more godly one, but even David, states very clearly what the danger is of being ruled by man instead of God.
Near the end of his life, David decided to count heads to see just how large of an army he can muster if he needed too. Unfortunately, for David, God was not happy about David’s little ego trip. So, He sent His prophet Gad to confront David for behaving in such a worldly way. When David is confronted by the prophet Gad and given three choices on how he should be disciplined. David says: “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of man.” (2 Samuel 24:14) David knew how fickle and unpredictable the rule of man can be. We need look no further than our own hearts to know this is true. We can be swayed by our emotions, traditions and personal opinions. It is very hard for us to be impartial judges, especially when the outcome of any decision will also have an effect on us!
In today’s passages we see described very clearly how leadership has an effect on any nation, organization or family. When leadership is just and dependable, those under that leadership can feel secure, cared for and listened too. In unjust leadership, in which the leaders seem more interested in themselves, the people groan because they are used and neglected.
God calls for righteous leadership, but in the absence of that, He will hear the cry of the helpless people underneath. “let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream!” He is not impressed by the religious acts of leaders when it is not backed up by justice. He knows the heart. He knows what is sincere and what is a show.
We are all leaders of something. How we lead will have an effect on those who are following. When we are in leadership, it cannot be just for our benefit, but for the blessing of those under us. We must seek His wisdom and His way, always walking humbly before Him. We must be able to admit when we have taken a wrong turn and always be mindful of what is good for all, more than what is beneficial mostly for us. If we suffer a little discomfort for the blessing of the rest because we know that is what is best, we are the leaders in whom God is pleased.
Prayer: Lord, as the leader of a congregation, either teaching or ruling elder, as the leader of a family or social group, or even any acquaintance, may the influence I exert be positive and encouraging, founded on Your wisdom, and used for their good, just like You do. In Jesus' name, amen.
Song: Hear this great old hymn in a new way: All the Way, My Savior Leads Me
By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down. ~Proverbs 29:4
I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream! ~Amos 5:21-24
I wonder what it would be like to live in a Theocracy. That’s what Israel was. God’s rule had been established for centuries before any government of man came about. Even then, Israel’s first leaders were usually charismatic, able to attract a following for a cause. Then, after a military victory was achieved, the people would disperse, back to their lives until the next crisis. The one constant was God, but the people didn’t realize it.
They thought they would be better off ruled by man. True, in part, the Israelites wanted a king because they wanted to keep up with the Joneses. “Everybody else has a king, why can’t we?” (1 Samuel 8) They didn’t like not knowing where their next leader would be coming from. They wanted predictability. The other nations seemed to be doing okay with their religions focused mostly on statues that they could move around, while the real power was in their human leader, so, why not give it a try?
So, God gave them what they wanted. First a weak man and then, in David, a more godly one, but even David, states very clearly what the danger is of being ruled by man instead of God.
Near the end of his life, David decided to count heads to see just how large of an army he can muster if he needed too. Unfortunately, for David, God was not happy about David’s little ego trip. So, He sent His prophet Gad to confront David for behaving in such a worldly way. When David is confronted by the prophet Gad and given three choices on how he should be disciplined. David says: “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of man.” (2 Samuel 24:14) David knew how fickle and unpredictable the rule of man can be. We need look no further than our own hearts to know this is true. We can be swayed by our emotions, traditions and personal opinions. It is very hard for us to be impartial judges, especially when the outcome of any decision will also have an effect on us!
In today’s passages we see described very clearly how leadership has an effect on any nation, organization or family. When leadership is just and dependable, those under that leadership can feel secure, cared for and listened too. In unjust leadership, in which the leaders seem more interested in themselves, the people groan because they are used and neglected.
God calls for righteous leadership, but in the absence of that, He will hear the cry of the helpless people underneath. “let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream!” He is not impressed by the religious acts of leaders when it is not backed up by justice. He knows the heart. He knows what is sincere and what is a show.
We are all leaders of something. How we lead will have an effect on those who are following. When we are in leadership, it cannot be just for our benefit, but for the blessing of those under us. We must seek His wisdom and His way, always walking humbly before Him. We must be able to admit when we have taken a wrong turn and always be mindful of what is good for all, more than what is beneficial mostly for us. If we suffer a little discomfort for the blessing of the rest because we know that is what is best, we are the leaders in whom God is pleased.
Prayer: Lord, as the leader of a congregation, either teaching or ruling elder, as the leader of a family or social group, or even any acquaintance, may the influence I exert be positive and encouraging, founded on Your wisdom, and used for their good, just like You do. In Jesus' name, amen.
Song: Hear this great old hymn in a new way: All the Way, My Savior Leads Me
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