It is clear from scripture that as God raised up a nation to be His people, He intended for those people to provide leadership by example to the other nations around about. God’s law was to be the basis of their leadership example. Their conduct in the sight of the other nations was to be such that it would elicit inquiry as to the source of their wisdom and understanding (Deut 4: 5-8).
As King Solomon brought together principles that relate to living a godly life in an ungodly world, he demonstrated this understanding. The book of Proverbs concentrates many concepts into few words – illuminating important principles of life. The first chapters emphasize the connection of wisdom, knowledge and understanding to the fear of the Eternal and obedience to principles which are based on the law of God. Many principles contained in this book are presented to us in the form of contrast. What happens when man obeys God is contrasted with the negative result of disobedience or rejection of godly conduct.
As we observe the disastrous upheaval in the world around us today, we should see the need for leadership by example. The world is crying out for “kings and priests” who would provide a light to the nations as examples of justice and wisdom. Any leadership that the modern descendants of ancient Israel (not referring to the one small nation state of Israel today) may have provided to the world in the past is fast evaporating. God’s judgment on His chosen people is to remove all vestiges of strong leadership and replace it with the mentality of a child. The book of Isaiah warns of a time when it will be difficult to impossible to find anyone to lead (Isa 3:1-7). While there are still plenty of candidates seeking high office we seem to have arrived at a time when no one wants the responsibility that comes with leadership. The Wall Street Journal posted an article on Thursday that illuminated just this situation titled, “Obama to World: Drop Dead.” The article addresses the inward looking approach of current leadership with more concern for the consolidation of political and electoral power within the US than care for the leadership needs of the world. The world doesn’t vote so the world doesn’t matter.
Our response should not be to want to rush to the ballot box to make a change. This mindset is across the political spectrum as God said it would be. Our response should be to rise to the challenge of training to be the leaders of the next generation. We need to be preparing now to be the people of wisdom and understanding which obedience to God’s law generates. When God ushers in the government of God on this earth, He expects you to be prepared to step up to the plate and demonstrate godly leadership to a world that has been starved of the knowledge, wisdom and understanding that God’s law provides.
Read Proverbs 8:12-26 where wisdom is associated with kings, rulers, princes, nobles and judges – the leaders. God is lovingly preparing through his Church, people to rule and reign with Jesus Christ. There is nothing this world needs more than godly leadership. Are you doing everything you can to ensure that you will be part of the solution?
The Website
If you have used the church website this week, hopefully you have noticed a great improvement. On Monday night we moved the website to a new provider. This site will increase speed and accessibility. We had simply outgrown the site we had been using for the past six months.
Services this Sabbath will originate from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
