Leaders, political

Israel had a variety of political leaders

Judges

Jdg 2:16; Jdg 4:4

Kings

1 Sa 8:1–21; 1 Sa 10:1; 1 Sa 16:1–13; 2 Sa 7:12; 1 Ki 1:28–40

Tribal elders and judges

Ex 19:7; Dt 21:1–2; Ru 4:1–2; Job 29:7–12

Foreign powers imposed rulers on Israel

Luke 3:1 NIV

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene—

Examples of those who were both political and spiritual leaders

1 Sa 7:15 Samuel was both prophet and judge.

Moses:

Ex 34:1; Ex 34:27–28

Jdg 6:25–27 Gideon; 2 Ki 18:4 Hezekiah; 1 Ch 6:31 David

Political leaders, like spiritual ones, were called by God

1 Ki 11:31 The prophet Ahijah confers authority on the leader of a revolt.

See also Ex 3:10 Moses; Jdg 6:14 Gideon

David:

1 Sa 16:1; 1 Sa 16:6–12

Is 45:1–2 Cyrus was a Persian king, yet he is described as God’s “anointed”.

To reject God’s leadership is to reject God

1 Samuel 8:6–8 NIV

But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 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.

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

Responsibilities of leaders

To protect the weak

Psalm 72:12–14 NIV

For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.

To administer justice

Ps 72:2; Pr 20:8; Pr 29:4; Pr 29:14; Is 9:7; Is 11:3–4

To shepherd the people

Ps 78:70–72; Eze 34:2–6

Attributes required in leaders

Is 11:1–2 Being anointed by the Spirit of God.

Reverence:

Dt 17:18–20; Is 11:3

Is 11:5 trustworthiness; Pr 8:15–16 wisdom

The failure of leaders

Through exploiting their subjects

Matthew 20:25 NIV

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

See also Je 22:13; Dt 17:16–17; 1 Ki 12:4; 1 Sa 8:11–17

Through usurping religious authority

1 Sa 13:8–13; 2 Ch 26:16–18

Through apostasy

1 Ki 11:7–8; 2 Ki 21:1–6

Through trusting in alliances with heathen powers

Isaiah 31:1 NIV

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.

See also Is 30:1–2; Ho 7:11; 2 Ki 20:12; 2 Ki 20:17–18

Godless leadership is evil

Luke 13:32 NIV

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

See also Da 7:1–7; Re 13:1–3

People must have a right attitude to political leaders

They are to be obeyed

Romans 13:1 NIV

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.

See also 1 Pe 2:13–17; Ro 13:5

But obedience to God must come first

Acts 5:29 NIV

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!

See also Da 3:18; Da 6:13

Prayers are to be made for them

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NIV

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.