It’s that time of the decade where U.S. politics is focusing on the next presidential election. Who will lead our country for the next four years? What will the head of our country look like, and how will it run our country?
Ecclesiastes 10:16-20 talks a little about government and a right attitude toward it.
First of all, the country that has an immature, carefree government is in trouble. But the country that has a mature, responsible government, “Blessed are you, O land.”
Irresponsibility and laziness causes things to fall apart, so a country with poor leadership cannot maintain itself. Likewise, wasted time might promote happiness, but nothing is accomplished, so money often becomes a solution for everything. A country that relies on money to solve all its problems falls deeper and deeper into debt and must rely on others to do its work.
How should I respond to the government? “Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich.” First of all, it is just the wrong thing to do. Secondly, one way or another, other people may find out about it.
It is the government’s responsibility to do its job, and it is my responsibility to respect my country’s leaders because God puts them in authority over me.
Woe to the land whose king is a child,
And woe to the land whose princes are wild.
But blessed are they whose king is full-grown,
And blessed are they whose princes’ strength is known.
Speak well of them, for this is right,
And things not good, may come to light.
You never know when a hidden bird
May cause your words to be widely heard.
