Proverbs

A Biblical Perspective on Justice in Leadership

Tom Ratkovich, , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

“Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.”

Proverbs 28:5 contrasts two fundamentally divergent ways of seeing our world. There is the way of the disobedient to God – those who are morally incapable of recognizing true justice because their evil, self-centered desires distort their judgment. They are not only unable to be just; they are similarly incapable of humility, mercy, compassion and love.

Conversely, those who seek God are uniquely capable of understanding His justice because they see others through a lens forged in God’s character. His word not only defines justice, but teaches how it is to be carried out.

“You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall follow…” Deuteronomy 16:19-20a

The takeaway: Justice rejects favoritism. Justice despises corruption.

“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice.” Exodus 23:1-2

The takeaway: Truth and justice cannot be severed.

“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

The takeaway: Justice is inseparable from gentleness, mercy and humility.

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” Isaiah 1:17

The takeaway: Justice protects the poor, the oppressed and the vulnerable.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.” Matthew 23:23

The takeaway: Proclamations of faith without justice is hypocrisy.

This proverb has profound implications for political leadership. One might argue, for instance, that the foremost obligation of government is to ensure justice for all. How should we assess the ability of our leaders to dispense justice in an upright and impartial manner?

Do they reject favoritism and corruption? Do they lie? Are they gentle, merciful and humble? Do they help the helpless? Do they profess faith but live in disobedience to God’s word?

Fundamentally, Proverbs 28:5 is a call to humility. Understanding justice begins not with political ideology but with obedience to the Lord—truth instead of falsehood, impartiality instead of favoritism, compassion instead of condemnation. Justice does not bend to power or personal loyalty. That standard applies equally to every political leader, every movement and every believer.

Contending for the Faith in the Wake of Trump

Tom Ratkovich, , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

“I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” Jude 3(b)-4, NIV

It will shock no follower of my blog to hear that the “certain individual” in mind here is Donald Trump. Spouting lies and fomenting fear, he has strategically “slipped in” among gullible Christians to maneuver his way into the White House and renew his “license for immorality.” And while I do not know his heart, his ungodly behavior seemingly denies his professed faith in Jesus Christ  – dividing the church and leading many to belief and behavior in direct contradiction to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But it will indeed surprise some to hear that I do not hate Trump. I have only Christian love for him. I pray frequently that he will open his heart to God and follow His great commandment to love others. For reasons of which only He is aware, it seems God has yet to answer in the affirmative.

And while I do not hate Trump, I do hate many of his behaviors. In Proverbs 8:13, God instructs us:

“To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.”

In case you’re not paying attention, Donald Trump is proud, arrogant, full of hate and vicious speech. He has many other well-documented sins as well, all of which he remains proudly unrepentant.

But I am not writing to convince POTUS to confess his transgressions and seek forgiveness. As previously noted, that is something for which I lovingly pray. Nor am I motivated by the applause of those who already despise Trump’s behavior.

Rather, I write, as Jude shares in verse 23, to “save others by snatching them from the fire.” I pen these words because, like Jude, I am “compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”

Thus, instead of castigating his enablers despite the damage their hypocrisy brings upon the church, I petition – beseeching them to turn from their implicit endorsement of Trump’s antics that are in direct conflict with the word, will and example set forth by Christ Jesus.

My rationale for such an appeal to the Christian brethren who enable Trump is twofold. First and foremost, such encouragement coming from the church is blatant hypocrisy. One cannot credibly attest to Gospel faith while undermining everything that faith advocates – such as humility, mercy, kindness, repentance and, above all, love. Such hypocrisy sabotages evangelical outreach. How can we bring people to Christ when segments of the church are facilitating immorality and disobedience?

Secondly, such fawning at the feet of POTUS only endorses and enables his ungodly behavior – lighting the fuse of his narcissism. Rather than encouraging Trump to love and repent, the apologists douse him in kerosene on the road to the eternal fire. They do him no favors. As Christians, our mandate is to turn people TO God, not away from Him.

Christian brethren, I, like Jude, beseech you to contend for the faith. Do not be led by the ungodly, nor share in their immoral pursuits, subjecting yourself to similar judgment. Instead, lead the faithless to faith by an example of humility, patience, generosity and love. That, after all, is the example that our Lord Jesus set before each one of us.

Withstanding Trump: Trust in God

Tom Ratkovich, , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding.”

I have Proverbs 3:5 bookmarked in my NKJV Bible. I need constant reminding that my ways are not His ways (Isaiah 55:8) – and not my will, but His, be done (Luke 22:42).

Candidly, I do not understand why God made Donald Trump the single most powerful person in the world. Nor do I understand why He has blinded so many to the evil POTUS perpetrates against anyone that does not bend the knee.

Evil perpetrated not just against his political foes. Evil not just against the poor, the sick, the frail and the sojourner. Evil not just against black or brown. Evil not just against the people of this country over which he proclaims himself king.

No, this country is not big enough for the narcissist that is Donald Trump. He must unleash devastation on the entire world order. He does so SOLELY for two reasons: (1) to satisfy his prodigious ego, and (2) to enrich himself, his family and his accomplices. And it absolutely astounds me that so many are either blind to this evil or, worse, tolerate it out of self-interest.

Of course, scripture reminds me that God has put Trump in office to accomplish His purposes – not mine. The fact that I do not understand what those purposes are is quite discomforting – as is the fact that POTUS’ distressing disdain for God’s word is emboldened by many white evangelicals.

But I will trust God. I can share my lament with Him as does the future King David in Psalm 13:1-2, knowing that my confusion and fear are not hidden from Him:

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

I can urgently pray to Him, seeking the Lord’s intervention, as David does in verses 3-4:

Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes,
Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Lest my enemy say,
“I have prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

And I can trust in God’s steadfast love and be confident of rejoicing in His salvation, as does David in verses 5-6:

But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 13 reminds us that lament can coexist with trust – and prayer can transform despair into hope. David’s appeal demonstrates that it is in faith – not faithlessness – that we bring our sorrow and doubt to God.

Trusting in God does not require political passivity or apathy. Nor does it encourage withdrawal from justice, advocacy and civic responsibility through blind obedience to the state.

Rather, trusting in “Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23) is a central posture of our faith that shapes how we must respond to uncertainty, to conflict and to injustice. We do so in humility and with conviction, rootedness and resilience.

And we remember the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:19:

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Related: Spiritual Truths through Music: Trust in God; TRUMP

Lessons from Proverbs 28: Leadership and Its Consequences

Tom Ratkovich, , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

My current Bible study finds me in Proverbs. The book is traditionally attributed to King Solomon and contains vast wisdom and instruction on moral behavior. Unfortunately, Solomon’s inability to adhere to his own teaching led to the rupture of his realm into two kingdoms – and initiated a downward spiral of failed kingships across Israel and Judah resulting in ceaseless wars and, ultimately, exile.

Solomon’s is a story of failed leadership. We may be nearing a time when history will repeat itself – a time in which failed leadership precipitates the division of our own country into two (or more) “kingdoms” – and triggers the fragmentation of the global order.

Much of the wisdom related to leadership – and the ignorance of failed leadership – can be found in the 28th chapter of Proverbs. This chapter contrasts the deeds of the righteous and those of the wicked, teaching that true wisdom is more than just the discerning of moral behavior; it is living it.

Let’s get specific.

“When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.” (v. 2, NIV)

Stability is the result of wise leadership, creating peace and order. Conversely, poor leadership leads to division and chaos.

Where are we today? I lean to division and chaos. Peace and order seem but a pipedream.

“Evildoers do not understand what is right,
but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.” (v. 5)

Justice is rooted in righteousness. Just leaders are guided by the Lord’s commandments for compassion and, above all, love for others – ALL others, not just those that look like them. Evil leaders are led instead by personal interest.

I see very little compassion within this country’s current leadership. Actually, that is generous. I see NO compassion. I observe only disdain for those that do not look like, think like, or bend the knee to POTUS. The only love I see is self-love.

Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than the rich whose ways are perverse. (v. 6)

Integrity is essential to wise and effective leadership. Integrity is reflected not by wealth, but by truth and selflessness. Those preoccupied by riches will abuse their leadership to increase them.

Consider the current administration. POTUS frequently visits and promotes his own properties, receiving exorbitant  payments from political groups, foreign dignitaries, and government officials. Campaign funds have been frequently spent at those same properties. Foreign governments have booked rooms and events at Trump properties – evoking ethics complaints and violating the Emoluments clauses in the U.S. Constitution. And rather than divesting in the Trump Organization, POTUS empowers family members to leverage his brand to enrich his businesses through media, mobile services, cryptocurrencies and more. His greed obstructs his ability to care for his constituents.

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (v. 13)

I’ll admit, I don’t know if POTUS conceals sins. But those that remain unconcealed are quite prolific. Of course, we all sin…me more than most. But while I seek the Lord’s mercy, Trump remains utterly unapologetic and unrepentant in his iniquity. This reflects his immense arrogance and enormous pride. He is effectively putting his morality above God’s.

Confession and humility strengthen a leader’s character – and his ability to serve rather than be served. Ultimately, this is most disqualifying of our current POTUS as a leader of men: he believes that he – and those that share his idols and prejudices – are to be served rather than to serve.

In Proverbs 28, Solomon warns against greed, dishonesty, corruption and pride in leadership. He praises honesty, compassion, justice, generosity and accountability.

Unless one is lost in the bubble of Fox “News,” it is evident that POTUS remains ignorant of Solomon’s wisdom. It is also likely that were he acquainted with it, his pride, like that of Solomon, renders him incapable of abiding by it. Let us pray that history does not repeat itself.

As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart. (Proverbs 27:19)

See also The Tragic Fall of King Solomon; The Righteous v. the Wicked