The Presidential debate - a Christian's response
After watching the train wreck that was supposed to be a Presidential debate, most of America was asking, “What was that?” Neither candidate was presidential. Neither man was cordial or kind. There was no civility or discussion of issues. Instead, we were presented with two men badgering and interrupting each other for the own short-sighted gains and stroking of egos. It was a whirlwind of antics typically reserved for young children who have not practiced their communication skills. And when the allotted time was finally up, the people of America were united in wondering what has become of our government and political process.
As I sat thinking afterwards, trying to process what we all had witnessed, an old Hebrew phrase came to mind: “Israel, to your tents!”. But to help you understand why, we’re going to have to look back into ancient Israel to understand the context:
Solomon had died and the kingdom of Israel, all 12 tribes, was to pass to his son, Rehoboam. Although Solomon had been a wise, rich, and successful king…he had also been harsh and driving to get the most out of the people when building up Jerusalem and the temple. After the people came to Rehoboam to ask for relief under his kingship, he consulted with his advisors. The elders who had served his father advised him to ease up on the people, to win their favor and gratitude. The young men who grew up with Rehoboam told him to not look weak, and declare that he would be even tougher on the people than his father had been. When you read Rehoboam’s answer to the nation’s request, you’ll understand the people’s response:
1 Kings 12:13-14, 16-17
Then the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice the elders had given him and spoke to them according to the young men’s advice: “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with barbed whips.”
When all Israel saw that the king had not listened to them, the people answered him:
What portion do we have in David?
We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse.
Israel, return to your tents;
David, now look after your own house!
So Israel went to their tents, but Rehoboam reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah.
When the Israelites realized that their government was no longer for them, their cry of rebellion stated that they were better off spending their energies focusing on their own families and communities. From then on, the nation was split in two: the northern kingdom, with the 10 tribes collectively called “Israel”, and the southern kingdom, with the tribes of Judah and Benjamin collectively referred to as “Judah”.
You may be tempted to imagine that the northern kingdom quickly set up a wonderful government structure that took care of the people and prospered the nation of Israel…but you would be quite wrong to think that. Instead, in their anger and uprising, they followed a man named Jeroboam. His selfish ambition and political scheming led Israel into spiritual darkness and idolatry. That path led to their eventual conquer and exile.
So what does this have to do with the 2020 Presidential election in the USA? I think the Israelites’ actions can be both an example and a warning to us.
When presented with dysfunctional political leadership, the people had the right idea…they should make sure their families and communities were taken care of. However, they quickly put all their hope in the wrong place – another person who was desiring to lead the nation. Instead, the people should have turned to God for their next steps and protection.
I’m not going to tell you who to vote for. That’s between you and God. But after you cast your vote, and regardless of who sits in the Oval Office for the next four years…you need to intentionally take care of your family and your community. Not just your “Christian community”, but work within your neighborhood, surrounding areas, and the broader population around you.
Two other parts of Scripture come to mind:
Psalm 118:8-9
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humanity.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in nobles.
Philippians 2:14-16
Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life.
The person elected as President does not prevent you from loving your neighbor as Jesus has loved you. If there is going to be good in this country, if issues of race, equality, economic prosperity, and security are going to dealt with and improved in our nation, it will have to come from all of us – being the hands and feet of Jesus. Our hope is not based on either of the politicians we saw on the debate stage. The life change we desire to see in ourselves and our nation will not come about by a change in political policy...but only from a change to our heart.
Keep Pressing,
Ken