Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.’ – Deuteronomy 1:13

Moses identified some of the inner qualities of food leaders.  Wisdom, Understanding, and respect.  These characteristics differ from what we find in some of our leaders today.  Some leaders that are in office or hope to get into office think that they can get in because of good looks, wealth, popularity, or willingness to do anything to advance. We should look for the qualities that Moses mentioned when we elect people to positions of leadership.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV

Although God is all powerful and all knowing, he has chosen to let us help him change the world through our prayers. How this works is a mystery to us because of our limited understanding but it is a reality. Paul urges us to pray for each other and for our leaders in government.

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. – Proverbs 29:2 ESV

When someone righteous is in a position of leadership over a country, they will make their decisions that are in line with the word of God.  When the government of a country makes decisions that are in line with Gods word, God’s blessing will be over that land.  As a result, the people will prosper.

Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. – Exodus 18:21 ESV

The reason I include this verse in this episode is because of the first criteria for leading people.  Men who fear God.  When someone fears and reverences the Lord you know that they will make decisions after seeking God and living their life in line with the Word of God.  Before an election, we need to see which candidate has the most reverence toward God.

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; – Daniel 2:21 ESV

When we see evil leaders who live long and good leaders who die young, we may wonder if God controls world events. Daniel saw evil rulers with almost limitless power, but he knew and proclaimed that God removed kings and establishes kings. That God controlled everything that happens. God governs the world according to his purposes. You may be dismayed when you see evil people prosper but God is in control. Let this knowledge give you confidence and peace no matter what happens.

“Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord.” – Psalms 146:3-10 NIV

The psalmist portrays man as an inadequate saviour, a false hope, even princes cannot deliver. God is the hope and help for all people. We are not to look to elected officials to save us though they may have much influence and power. Only God can help us and turn situations around. Keep your hope on God and not man.

“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.” – Romans 13:1 NIV

As Christians we have a responsibility to make our countries better. We can do this by electing Christian or other high principled leaders into office. We can also do this morally by serving as an influencer for good in society. In this view church and state ideally work together for the good of all.

For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. – Psalm 22:28

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. Psalm 24:1

When you really step back and look at the people we vote into government, they are all stewards.  God owns everything and He would want us to rule and have dominion over the earth and be his reflection on earth.

“They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction.” –  Hosea 8:4

The people of Israel would call to God but it would be too late because they wouldn’t take the time to seek God before. Let us take this as a warning for us to make sure we include God in our decision of who to vote for. We don’t want to be in a situation where we need to repent after to try to avoid the painful consequences of our decisions/sin.

““But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the Lord your God was your king. Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the Lord has set a king over you. If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good! But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.” – 1 Samuel 12:12-15 NIV

God granted the request for a king, but his commands and requirements are the same for the king and people.  No person is ever exempt from God’s laws and no human is outside of his jurisdiction.  He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.