How are we to choose a leader over us? What is a good leader's primary responsibility? Does the Bible provide any input?
No, I'm not going to turn this blog into a political forum, but this parable by Jotham in the book of Judges might be illuminating:
"One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.'
"But the olive tree answered, 'Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and men are honored, to hold sway over the trees?'
"Next, the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and be our king.'
"But the fig tree replied, 'Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?'
"Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.'
"But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and men, to hold sway over the trees?'
"Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'
The
"thornbush" in Jotham's little parable is his brother Abimelech. Jotham
climbed up a hill, shouted these words, and then fled for his life. But
is there a lesson in his parable? Is it possible to find a leader who
is more interested in serving than gaining power?
No comments:
Post a Comment