WK48 CHOOSING OUR NATIONAL LEADERS – NO ROOM FOR APATHY

CHOOSING OUR NATIONAL LEADERS – NO ROOM FOR APATHY

KEY VERSE: The lot is east into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
PROVERBS 16:33

SCRIPTURE LESSON: PROVERBS 16:1-4, 9, 23
PROVERBS 16:1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord come the reply of the tongue.
2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord works out everything for his own ends – even the wicked for a day of disaster.
PROVERBS 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD, determines his steps.

PROVERBS 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

INTRODUCTION
The year 2008 is very crucial for the citizens of Ghana as we undertake Presidential and Parliamentary elections. In the January to June, 2008 issue of the Weekly Bible Lesson we concentrated on choosing our church leaders – the Bishops.

In this issue, our attention is focused on choosing our national leaders. This week we shall consider the issue of our participation in the elections. What principles should guide us in our participation as voters, pooling agents, party activists, or even as candidates.

EXPOSITION
Should a Christian vote in elections?
In our daily lives we make choices and take decisions. For the Christian decisions must be based on prayer and godly reflection knowing that God is ultimately the decider (Pr 16:1). This is the main theme of Proverbs 16. Man plans, but it is the Lord who speaks (Pr 16:1); the lot is cast (the votes are taken) but it is the Lord who decides (Pr. 16:33). Let us continue by explaining briefly our key verse: Proverbs ‘Lot’ was a means of deciding an issue or of determining the divine will in a matter. The use of the lot to determine doubtful matter is very old and the practice of casting lots was common among the nations in ancient times. These are some examples of lot casting:
Esther 3:7 – the lot was cast to select the most appropriate day for an event.
Jonah 1:7 – the sailors cast lots to know who was the cause of their problems on the sea.
Obadiah 11 – Lots were cast in sharing booty.
Nahum 3:10 – Lots were cast in sharing Jewish slaves
Matthew 27:35 – The soldiers cast lots to determine who took Jesus’ clothes at the crucifixion.
Its use among the Jews, generally with religious intend, is mentioned in determining the scapegoat (Lev. 16:8), distribution of the land of Palestine among the tribes (Nu 26:55; Jo 18:10); selecting men for an expedition (Jdg 1:1-3) determining a guilty person (Jos 7:1-4; Samuel 14:40-42); selecting the first King (1Sam 10:20-21); dividing the returned priest into twenty-four divisions (1Ch 24:3-5), and determining the service of the priests in the temple worship (Lk1:5-9)

We gather from these passages that lot casting was held in religious esteem by the covenant people, and its use to determine God’s will was usually accompanied by prayer (Jdg 1:1-3; Act 1:24-26). The equivalent of lots in our contemporary world is voting. The ‘Lot’ can be equated to the “ballot box”. From the foregoing we can see that the Christian should see vote casting not only as a civic duty but also a religious duty.

Secondly in casting his/her vote the Christian should not be swayed by racism, tribalism, political or religious biases but should seek the mind of God in Prayer.

Through prayer the Christian should be seeking to know from God which candidates will best serve the interest of the citizens in matters of socio-economic growth and national cohesion. This call to prayer is not without precedence. Confused and uncertain about England’s political future, Issac Watts was led by the Holy Spirit to write a prayer that has become a popular song; “O God our help in ages past” (see MHB 878). Let us follow his good example and God will help us in the present.

2. Can we trust the Ballot Box?
The use of the ballot box is to ensure that every individual qualified to vote expresses their individual decision through the secret ballot, which when put together gives an indication of what the majority has decided. We are aware that in some countries the ballot box has been openly abused. Non-transparent boxes have been used, ballot boxes have been tampered with, declared results have not agreed with collated results and many such vices have all occurred with the use of the ballot box. In spite of these observations the ballot box is still our best way of knowing what will of God for us is. Therefore, we shall be failing in our Christian duty if we fail to vote because of the abuse of the ballot box which we hear about in various places.

3. Should we refuse to vote because of unfulfilled expectations?
Many people are apathetic about elections because as they put it; “All politicians are the same and anyone who comes on will not be different.” The fact that you are a Christian means that you ought to take a position, so you should not sit on the fence. There is no neutrality before God, therefore pray, examine the issues, take a position and cast your vote. Only the Christian who wants to allow the possibility of someone who is not God’s choice to rule will not vote.

4. What can we do to ensure free and fair elections?
It is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that our trust in the ballot box is not betrayed. When parties win elections, they organize thanksgiving services because they believe God has chosen them. It is therefore important that everyone involved in the conduct of elections, including pooling agents, election officers, party activists, security personnel and the candidates themselves realize that it is their responsibility towards God and man to ensure free and fair elections. But you also have a responsibility to be vigilant.

5. What to do?
In some countries, it is an offence not to vote during national elections. We don’t have any such laws in Ghana, but it is your Christian and civic responsibility to vote on 7th December, 2008.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How is today’s passage relevant to the theme under discussion?
We saw earlier that the people had to cast lots to elect Saul as the first king of Israel. Why did Samuel do that when he knew that God has chosen Saul? What does that teach us about the Christian and election?
What are the many reasons people give for refusing to vote and how would you help them?
In order to have elections that reflect the choice of God for lus what issues do we have to be vigilant about?
What is the role of prayer in the conduct of free and fair elections?
What prayer topics will you focus on?

BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
This week reflect on the insights gained from the study. What things will influence your attitude towards the national elections? List them, pray over them and share with group members.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday 1Samuel 10:20-21 The People choose their King
Tuesday Deuteronomy 33:1-5 Divine choice of King
Wednesday Deuteronomy 17:14-18 Choosing Best Leaders
Thursday Judges 9:7-20 A parables on choosing wisely
Friday Nehemiah 11:1-2 Choosing men to be with
Saturday Matthew 27:15-26 Choice of Jesus or Banabbas
Sunday Acts 1:24-26 Casting lots to determine God’s will