What Happened to God’s Mandate?

By Reverend Dr. Kent L. Poindexter

Most theologians consider David to be the greatest king of Israel, an example of honorable service and deep humility. Under his leadership, the tribes of Israel were reunited, Jerusalem was established as its capital, and the nation prospered. David lived his later years in repentance for sins that could have destroyed him and the nation he established. His willingness to face his human failures moved him to be a humble and true servant to God. David presented his life as an open book, offering guidance to his successors. As his last days came, David prayed to Yahweh that his son King Solomon would “judge your people with righteousness and your poor with justice” (Psalm 72:2). So concerned was he with Israel’s future that he left this message to his beloved successor: “Whoever rules rightly over people, whoever rules in the fear of God, is like the light of sunrise on a morning with no clouds, like the bright gleam after the rain that brings grass from the ground.” – II Samuel 23: 3-4 . Thoughtful, powerful words – a guide for those who proclaim followship in Jesus Christ – David’s example of servanthood was a continued reminder, a punctuation to the words he left for his successors.

The Christian Bible provides consistent lessons concerning God’s expectations of those who lead the people, admonishing them to do so with reverence for God’s guidance and to treat all entrusted to their care with righteousness and justice. While much is made of the belief that these ideals provide the foundation of our nation’s articles of governance, it is difficult to find evidence of a connection between the guidance of the Bible and the policies of the political party currently in power.  Even with all the oft-stated pronouncements of our government’s top leadership about their devotion to the Christian faith, their actions clearly speak volumes over their words. Instead of leading rightly and showing humility and a sincere desire to please God, they continue to act with closed, iron fists, which has caused overwhelming harm and despair to countless people, especially those who were already struggling. The so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”, which is as far from “Christian” as east is from west, enriches the already wealthy and penalizes the poor and middle classes. Their approach to people who call God by a different name? Remove them!

In all of this, we must ask the question, “What happened to ruling with righteousness and in the fear of God?” Ignoring this reality is a sin. It is turning our backs on what God has spoken! We must seek answers if we are to survive this onslaught. We must be found in the number that calls for God’s word to be our guiding light. God’s mandate, as spoken by the prophet Micah, must be the guiding principle for those who lead this nation – to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.