America once elected a president who was an excellent speaker. He was good at explaining his beliefs about government, and would tell a joke now and then to keep you listening. People called him the “Great Communicator” and his enemies marveled at the way he could get his message out no matter how journalists from the opposing side tried to stop him. More recently, the nation elected a president who got his message past journalists by using social media to communicate. He too proved adept at getting his 280-character messages to the people, though (like most presidents) he gave little thought to principles of governance.
How can you decide how to vote if you never think about “principles of governance”? Things like, What is the proper role of the government? What should voters look for in a president? What do we need from our local and national leaders? Should we raise taxes? Lower taxes? Fight crime? Reform prisons? Feed the hungry? Secure borders? Go to war on drugs? Legalize drugs? Protect the 2nd amendment? Repeal the 2nd amendment? –These are questions of GOVERNANCE.
The Bible has answers.
Many passages of scripture guide us and have been guiding America’s leaders for centuries. Jeremiah asserts one of the most fundamental principles for any civilization when he tells the king to stop crime and promote justice.
“Administer justice every morning, and rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor” Jeremiah 21:12.
The Lord continues, using the prophet to inform the king of his duties:
“Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Don’t exploit or brutalize the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Don’t shed innocent blood” Jeremiah 22:3.
What are the keys in Jeremiah 22?
1)Create a working justice system so you can “administer justice,”
2)Stop robbery,
3)Be fair to foreigners, orphans, and widows and don’t take advantage of them,
4)Protect the innocent and don’t ignore the shedding of innocent blood (get justice).
This is not a comprehensive study—the Bible has hundreds of passages on governance—and if you study the Bible, God will show you the best way to run a city or a nation.
God, thank You for Your word which teaches such practical things and shows us how to operate a society. Help us love Your word more every day.
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