Leaders, political

Since God is the ultimate ruler of all things, earthly authority derives from him. Although political leadership was exercised in various ways in Israel, there was always some overlap between political and spiritual leadership.

Israel had a variety of political leaders

Examples of those who were both political and spiritual leaders

1 Samuel 7:15 Samuel was both prophet and judge. Exodus 34:1, Exodus 34:27–28; Judges 6:25–27 Gideon; 2 Kings 18:4 parallel 2 Chronicles 31:1 Hezekiah; 1 Chronicles 6:31 David

So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.

Political leaders, like spiritual ones, were called by God

1 Kings 11:31 The prophet Ahijah confers authority on the leader of a revolt. See also Exodus 3:10 Moses; Judges 6:14 Gideon1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Samuel 16:6–12 Isaiah 45:1–2 Cyrus was a Persian king, yet he is described as God's “anointed”.

and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes.

To reject God's leadership is to reject God

1 Samuel 8:6–8 See also 1 Samuel 8:5, 1 Samuel 8:19–20 Israel wanted a human ruler so that they might be like the surrounding nations.

But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king. Just as they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

Responsibilities of leaders

To protect the weak

Psalm 72:12–14

To administer justice

Psalm 72:2; Proverbs 20:8, Proverbs 29:4, Proverbs 29:14; Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 11:3–4

To shepherd the people

Psalm 78:70–72; Ezekiel 34:2–6

Attributes required in leaders

Isaiah 11:1–2 Being anointed by the Spirit of God. Deuteronomy 17:18–20; Isaiah 11:3; Isaiah 11:5 trustworthiness; Proverbs 8:15–16 wisdom

Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

The failure of leaders

Through exploiting their subjects

Matthew 20:25 See also Deuteronomy 17:16–17; 1 Samuel 8:11–17; 1 Kings 12:4; Jeremiah 22:13

But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.

Through usurping religious authority

1 Samuel 13:8–13; 2 Chronicles 26:16–18

Through apostasy

1 Kings 11:7–8; 2 Kings 21:1–6

Through trusting in alliances with heathen powers

Isaiah 31:1 See also 2 Kings 20:12, 2 Kings 20:17–18; Isaiah 30:1–2; Hosea 7:11

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.

Godless leadership is evil

Luke 13:32 See also Daniel 7:1–7; Revelation 13:1–3

But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’

People must have a right attitude to political leaders

They are to be obeyed

Romans 13:1 See also Romans 13:5; 1 Peter 2:13–17

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.

But obedience to God must come first

Acts 5:29 See also Daniel 3:18, Daniel 6:13

But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Prayers are to be made for them

1 Timothy 2:1–2