Biblical Criteria on Choosing Leaders

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 3, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Negros!

Next Monday, May 10, 2010, is the national election day of our dear country, the Philippines. The University Church conducted a Voters Forum last Sunday and my part was to share the biblical criteria on choosing a leader. Let me share it also to you.

The form of government of Israel started on what is called theocracy – a government ruled by God through the prophets, judges and messengers. Later, when they entered Canaan, they clamored for a king like all the nations around them.

God gave them a set of parameters on what kind of king God desires for them. Deuteronomy 17:15-20 tells us about these criteria.

First, “He must be from among your own brothers. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not a brother Israelite.”

This challenges us to vote for leaders who know our Philippine situation. Our next leaders should not be an "alien" or a "foreigner" on our real situation. Popularity should not be our number one basis but to choose someone who really can situate him/herself on what is happening around us and propose solutions for it.

Second, “The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself”

“Horses” in this verse means “a great army.” Therefore, we must not choose leaders who prefers war or violence as his/her way of solving things. The campaign period has taught us that a lot of candidates have resorted to threats, and killing their political enemies just to ensure their victory. Let us not vote for these violent people.

Third, “must not make the people return to Egypt…for the Lord has told you, ‘You are not to go back that way again.’”

Egypt is a symbol of slavery and oppression. God intends that we must be free, and be given the opportunity to actualize our potential. Let us choose leaders who will not enslave and oppress us. We must be courageous enough to stand on what is right and defy the tyrants in our land.

Fourth, “He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray.”

This criterion reminds us to elect leaders who are not immoral. Let us say no to politicians who oftentimes have the gall to flaunt their mistresses in the public.

Fifth, “He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.”

Corruption is now the number one perceived problem in the country that causes poverty. One wonders why the national candidates spend billions of money in their campaign. I was told by a TV executive that a 30-second advertisement costs about P400,000.00 during primetime. With this amount in mind, we can count how much money the politicians have already spent every week just for this type of campaign.

Let us make a concerted effort to stop corruption. It starts by saying no to vote buying.

Sixth, “When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law…It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so thathe may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees.”

We must choose leaders who are God-fearing, and takes seriously that his/her way of life is according to the will of God. Let us not choose the religious but rather the righteous.

Seventh, “and not consider himself better than his brothers…”

We must choose leaders who are humble. The attitude of humbleness is not a sign of defeat but rather a sign that respects other people and their right to be heard. There are a lot of arrogant politicians that act as if they are the messiah. The leaders must remember the adage that says, “come let us reason together.”

Let us ponder for the whole week who fits the biblical criteria. Let us vote next Monday with this in mind.

May God bless us all.

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain