My absentee ballot for the November 8th election arrived Saturday. How am I to choose a leader? I learned what to look for from men in the Bible.

Israel

1. Self-controlled, Genesis 49:4.
2. Non-violent, Genesis 49:5.
3. Not self-willed; I will avoid their assembly, Genesis 49:6.
4. One who restrains his enemies, Genesis 49:8.
5. One who has the respect of his family, Genesis 49:8.

“A lion’s cub. A symbol of sovereignty, strength, and courage. Judah (or Israel) is often pictured as a lion in later times (see Ezekiel 19:2; Micah 5:8 and especially Numbers 24:9). Judah’s greatest descendant is himself called ‘The Lion of the Tribe of Judah’ (Revelation 5:5).”

New International Version Study Bible Note on Genesis 49:9

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Moses

1. Stands up for and helps the weak, Exodus 2:17.
2. Humble, Exodus 3:5.
3. Following God, Exodus 3:12.
4. Leads us through difficulties, Exodus 14:13-22.

“The Biblical account of God miraculously delivering His people and supernaturally guiding them to a place of liberty and plenty was a frequently invoked source of inspiration in early America. Today, that passage continues as a lighthouse for hope for those facing difficulties of any type, for its message is unchanged: God can still deliver His children and convey them to their own place of freedom, safety, and abundance, regardless of the circumstances in which they find themselves.”

“God’s Deliverance: The Birth of a Nation”
The Founder’s Bible
The Origin of the Dream of Freedom
p. 112

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Jethro, Moses’ Father-in-law

Exodus 18:21, “Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.” NASB

How to choose a judge:

1. Able
2. Fears God
3. Truthful
4. Honest

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America’s Political Form of Government

1. Totalitarianism: a highly centralized government that does not tolerate individualism or differences of opinion. …communistic…socialistic…can also be led by a dictator, czar, sultan, premier, …emperor (Luke 2:1), Caesars (Mark 12:17), or pharaohs (Exodus 1-14).
2. Monarchy: …headed by a king, queen, or emirate. …limited or constitutional monarchies, where a higher law is above the monarch, such as the Magna Carta with English kings. Israel’s kings…personally wrote out a copy of the laws that God gave to govern Israel (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). …the king and the people would first make a joint covenant with God (2 Samuel 5:3; 2 Kings 11:17).
3. Republic or Constitutional Republic: …parliamentary systems…representative democracies, in which the representatives elected by the people are the sovereign power and rule until the people select new representatives. A constitutional republic…is one in which the representatives elected by the people are not sovereign but are instead subject to a higher sovereign law – a written constitution. (Exodus 18:21; Deuteronomy 1:15-16; 16:18).
4. Oligarchy: …power resides in a small elite group …feudal tribal government, aristocracy, and plutocracy. …Sanhedrin (Luke 22:66).
5. Anarchy or Revolutionary: A government without laws, …each individual, who does what he wishes or has the power to do. …[French Revolution] … “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Deuteronomy 12:8; Judges 17:6; 21:25).
6. Democracy: …direct majority votes…an unstable and fluctuating government. …Jesus during His final week…treating Him as a national hero (Matthew 21:9), …the same people ‘all said, “Crucify Him!”‘ (Matthew 27:21). …mob rule…where passions and selfishness often prevail over reason and deliberation.
7. Theocracy: a government run by immediate representatives of God, claiming to act directly on His commands… (Eli and Samuel) …without separation of Church and State and with no input from the people. Many Islamic nations, …ruled by an ayatollah or imam…

“The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of Government.” Article IV, Section IV of the U.S. Constitution

“America’s Political Form of Government”
The Founder’s Bible
The Origin of the Dream of Freedom
pp. 146-148

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I Learned

I have some homework to do before I fill out my ballot!

Join me in reading October’s chapters and November’s chapters. I would love to hear what you learned in the comments section below!

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