A few years ago, nearly 100 history buffs and biographers were conscripted through C-SPAN to compile the “Presidential Historians Survey”—which is a list ranking American presidents from best to worst. Experts awarded points to each president based on 10 metrics including: public persuasion, crisis leadership, economic management, moral authority, international relations and vision casting. The names at the top of the list we know very well because they are featured on monuments and money.
Abraham Lincoln ranked first for his crisis leadership, administrative skills, vision, and pursued equal justice for all. George Washington came in second for his economic management, moral authority, and performance within the context of his times. Franklin D. Roosevelt took the third slot for his public persuasion and handling of international relations. Fourth was Teddy Roosevelt for his charisma and vision. Finally, rounding out the top five was Dwight Eisenhower.[i]
We could do the same exercise with the great men and women of the Bible who were called by God to lead during perilous times. Its amazing how God used people from all different walks of life—shepherding, fishing and farming—to take the reins of leadership. So much for the argument that we hear from time to time that, “Christian should not get involved in politics."
People who say such things didn’t get it from reading the Bible, because not only was government God’s idea (Rom. 13:1-7), but He strategically placed His people in positions of civic authority (i.e. Moses, David and Nehemiah). Of course, Biblical leaders didn’t run for office and make campaign speeches like we see in the American system today, but nonetheless God has a role for His people to play in shaping the world through government.
Let’s take for example, three of my favorite “politicians” from the Old Testament and make some simple applications from their lives.
First, Joseph teaches us that character counts. Joseph has one of the most unlikely ascents to public office in all of Scripture. He went from the pasture, to the pit, to the prison, to prime minister. After interpreting the dream of Pharaoh and devising a plan to save Egypt (and the rest of the world) from 7-years of famine, Joseph is made second in command. All through Joseph’s story we see a man of sterling character. As head of Potiphar’s household, Mrs. Potiphar tried to tempt Joseph into bed with her. But he fled the temptation, something that cost him his freedom. Often we complain that politicians lack integrity. Joseph not only demonstrated integrity in action but also that having it can cost you everything. At times, Joseph’s integrity seems to work against him. But the bigger picture shows that God continually honored Joseph for his strength of character; a pertinent lesson in an age where politics seem riddled by sleaze and scandal.
Second, Daniel teaches us that God is sovereign over the nations. Daniel’s political career is one of amazing longevity. He served as special advisor in two regimes (Babylon and Persia) under at least four kings that the Bible mentions (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus). Most Bible students remember Daniel for His unbending resolve that would not let him compromise his convictions, which resulted in the prophet spending a night in the lion’s den. Equally impressive are his prophecies of kingdoms rising and falling, giving a preview of world history in advance. One of the key verses of the book reminds us, “God changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings” (Dan. 2:21). When we learn to lean on God’s sovereignty then we can be at peace when elections don’t go the way we wanted or political scandal takes down a leader in office. The nations are mere pawns on God’s chessboard that He moves according to His will.
Third, Esther teaches us the impact of Godly influence. Esther became Queen to the Persian King Xerxes after winning an empire-wide beauty contest. Esther was no air-headed contestant from The Bachelor, but an astute, intelligent and brave figure who used her influence to save the Jewish people from the wicked plot of Haman to commit genocide. The most quoted verse in Esther comes when Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, says to her, “who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) Christians all have influence, whether in their homes, their communities, or even as citizens in a nation. The challenge of Esther is how we will use that influence: for good or evil, for life or death?
Let’s learn from these examples as we endeavor to be biblically correct and not politically correct when choosing our next leaders. In a republic like the US, the locus of power is in the citizenry; the government derives its authority from the people. Unlike billions of people around the world, Americans, through the ballot box, control their political future. Indeed, we are stewards of it. Seen from this perspective, voting is a matter of stewardship, just like we steward our time, talent and treasure. Let’s be “salt and light” by voting for those candidates who will best be agents of preservation and illumination in our decaying and darkening country.
-DM
[i] Allana
Akhtar and Laura Casado, “These are the top 25 US presidents, according to
historians and biographers (and why you won't find Trump on the list),” Business
Insider, 2 July 2020 <https://www.businessinsider.com/the-top-20-presidents-in-us-history-according-to-historians-2017-2>
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