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Last week, we emphasized how the followers of Jesus need wisdom if we are to be of use to the Kingdom of God. Often, our Lord provides that wisdom through people around us. The trouble, though, is choosing to heed the right sources.
Much of last week’s news revolved around President-Elect Trump’s choices for a host of cabinet positions. Across multiple outlets, the consensus seems to be that our forty-seventh president’s cabinet will be full of those most personally committed to him; his closest allies. The word “loyalist” saw a lot of use. While different reports have varying opinions of the quality of these appointees—with one proving especially problematic—the pattern shows that Donald Trump has chosen to listen to those who have stuck closest to him through his various trials (both literal and figurative).
This should raise concerns for how Trump’s second administration will function. It seems unlikely that a group so loyal to this particular president will have the guts to challenge him. Most of these appointees got nominated because they remained lock-step with the president-elect through a host of rude, ungodly—and at times just odd—decisions. If this group wants to maintain the power they now have, it seems most likely they will continue to follow Trump’s lead.
To be fair, some argue that this president’s choice to nominate those most loyal to him fits the pattern of all modern presidents. With one especially notable exception, this seems to bear out across most administrations. After all, if the American people elected a president based on a certain vision they have for the country, it makes sense that the president would in turn form a cabinet that would accomplish that vision.
This actually clarifies the point of this post, as it shows the concern I’m raising goes far beyond our soon-to-be president. Given my last couple of posts, you would be forgiven for thinking this blog has become a vehicle for expressing my personal dislike of Donald Trump. In reality, I am still writing for two key reasons: to proclaim the differences between American and godly values, and to insist that God’s people choose to follow Jesus rather than our nation. If President-elect Trump proves to be one of the most godly presidents we have ever seen, I will readily acknowledge that fact.
In this case, however, Donald Trump has (once again) helped to deepen the profound rift between how our nation and our God believe we should make decisions. Further, in this instance Trump is not acting outside the pattern of presidential behavior. It seems we have yet another example in which the differences between the United States and Jesus’ coming kingdom run deep. This time, our presidents’ tendency to empower those closest to them draws worrying parallels with one of Scripture’s more cautionary tales: the reign of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam.
Recorded in 1 Kings, Rehoboam’s time as king proved deeply tragic. Following his father’s death, the people of Israel approached their new king, asking him to lighten heavy taxes. As Rehoboam deliberated, he received competing advice. A group of wise, qualified elders urged him to serve the people by reducing their burden; his close friends pushed him to be even harsher than his father in an attempt to make the people fear him. Taking the latter advice, Rehoboam inspired widespread revolt that forced him to flee, ultimately resulting in Israel splitting into two competing kingdoms. In the end, Rehoboam’s choice to heed only those close to him brought generations of civil strife and destruction to the people of God.
To me, the similarities between our president-elect and Rehoboam are troublingly clear. In both cases, we see a leader empowering those closest to him. For Rehoboam, this created an environment that drove him to act in his own self-interest instead of that of his people. Our own assessment of Donald Trump’s first term makes it likely he will be prone to follow this example.
We, however, are not obligated to follow the lead of our presidents—even the ones we helped elect. Regardless of how our leaders choose to act, followers of Jesus can—and must—insist upon seeking the most godly wisdom possible. We can—and must—expect this behavior of the leaders who choose to associate themselves with the Church. If our leaders aren’t willing to seek true wisdom, then they don’t deserve our support.