Clinton or Trump: Another Biblical Perspective

Since I left my last post on a rather bleak note, I want to offer some hope.  There is no need to lose heart.

So what does a Christian do when the candidate they hoped would become President does not?  The first thing they must do is pray for the man or woman who wins the Oval Office.  This also applies to congressmen, senators, governors, mayors, and etc. Too often Christians would rather ridicule their elected leaders.  I am guilty of it myself.

Paul writes in 1st Timothy 2:1-4:

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

The above verses break down into three parts: 1) the prayers,  2) the object of the prayers, and 3) the goal of the prayers.



Though the context of these verses is in the church setting and public prayer, personal prayers for our leaders is also applicable.  For a more detailed background of 1st Timothy, consult the section on useful resources below. It's normal to pray for family, friends, acquaintances, and members of your church including pastors and deacons. However, Christians often forget or neglect their political leaders. Perhaps if one doesn't like the person in office, they think, "why bother?"  Praying for our political leaders aids in the furtherance of the Gospel that all men (and women), be saved.  To ridicule politicians on social media only serves to taint the poster's testimony.  I am quite sure that the Apostle Paul did not choose to deride Nero as he awaited his execution. He probably prayed for him.

It must be pointed that God wants all to be saved, but this does not mean universal salvation. This clause coincides with verse 1, that prayers be made for all men, not a small group of individuals know by the petitioner.  Many will remain lost making the decision to reject the Gospel.

Christians should also pray that God will place men and women with strong character in the administrations of our political leaders.  Joseph, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel served unbelieving rulers.  Joseph saved his family, Nehemiah saved a city, and Esther saved a nation.  As you study each of the given examples, God placed them to primarily benefit his own and by some degree the lost for the furtherance of His plan. This should motivate believers.





Useful Resources:

Below, are a list of Commentaries I trust. Many are available in ebook format. If you want to buy them, click on the links. But only buy them if you want to engage in a more exhaustive study.
* Denotes books I used to write this post.

First Timothy- Everyman's Bible Commentary by D Edmond Hiebert *

First and Second Timothy and Titus by William Hendriksen 

1, 2 Timothy, Titus: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (The New American Commentary) by Thomas Lea and Hayne P. Griffin*

Be Faithful (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon): It's Always Too Soon to Quit! (The BE Series Commentary) by Warren W. Wiersbe

EXPOSITOR'S BIBLE COMMENTARY: Ephesians, Philippians, Collosians, 1, 2, Thessalonians, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon; VOL. 11; by Frank E. (General Editor) Gaebelein

1 and 2 Timothy, Titus (The NIV Application Commentary Book 14) by Walter L. Liefeld

Trump or Clinton: A Biblical Perspective

Barring a major event, Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will move into the White House in January 2017.  Much has been said about either Candidate's qualifications or more to the point the lack thereof to be President of this great nation. Yes, despite America's many woes, it's still a great nation. However, the caveat is soon I fear, America will be a great nation no more.  Perhaps God's judgement is soon to come.

In Judges chapter nine, an interesting account plays out.  Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal A.K.A. Gideon (Judges 6:32; 9:1) and a concubine from the city of Shechem- a city with a rather dubious history, murdered with the help of  certain "vain and light" men of this city, all of his brothers save one (9:1-5).  After the deed was done, Abimelech was crowned king of Shechem (9:6).  Perhaps given to Abimelech's lowly position in the family dynamic as the son of a concubine, felt he was entitled. As one reads in the previous chapter, Gideon had many wives that bore him seventy sons (8:30). But, in the next verse, Abimelech's name is listed separately stating his mother was a concubine. It's an interesting distinction. His reign however, went down hill from there and culminated with the burning of Shechem and the death of Abimelech killed by his armourbearer after being grievously wounded by a mill stone dropped on him from a tower (9:22-49).

So you may be wondering, what does this tale of woe have to do with Clinton and Trump? Well, remember the only survivor of Gideon's seventy sons? His name was Jotham.  After Abimelech's wicked act, Jotham stood on mount Gerizim and shouted to the men of Shechem this parable:

"The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.  But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?  And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?  Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon." (9:7-15)

The bramble bush, a thorny bush bares no fruit and provides on shade. Its only purpose is to be gathered and used as kindling to start a fire.  As you might have guessed, Jotham was equating the bramble bush as Abimelech and by my implication, Clinton and Trump. Despite other candidates that clearly were better qualified, America has chosen to scrape the bottom of the proverbial barrel. It is irony that main use of the bramble bush and the burning of Shechem is apparent in Judges chapter nine. God brought judgement upon Abimelech and Shechem.

Interesting times are ahead my friends. Interesting times indeed.