The Bible Column - Qualifications for Civil Leaders

“Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” Ecclesiastes 10:16-17
Here, Solomon further states his knowledge and experience regarding civil authority. He notes a “Woe” or a lamentation and also a “Blessing” to a land,”…here, likely his own people. Concerning the “Woe”, Solomon explains that when a land has a king who is a child in maturity, one easily influenced and changeable, lamenting will be among the people because unfairness will be the norm. Also, when a land has princes who “eat in the morning”…that is, they place their own temporal desires and satisfaction before their duty in priority and sequence, they will have woe!
Then, on the converse, Solomon turns to the explanations of situations which bring blessing in a land. He says, that when the king is the son of nobles, there will be blessing. A noble is one who is pure and shining in their character and activities. The son of a noble, in this case of blessing, will be a proper product of that good heritage and will rule accordingly. Solomon further explains that a land will have blessing when the princes “eat in due season for strength and not for drunkenness.” This phrase speaks of a leader who places their personal comfort in the proper time…in “due season”! They will comfort themselves with nourishment for personal health and strength, only when their duty is done. Also they will not pleasure themselves in drunkenness! The Bible says, “…and not for drunkenness!”
The content of these Bible explanations cannot be overlooked in any land, including America, if that land is to have blessing and not lamenting. Would to God, that the leaders who will be elected for the next terms, will fit the “Blessed” descriptions above. Taken seriously, our voting will reflect these values. Oh, how we should rejoice that we live in America where we can still vote in mostly fair elections!
Would to God that He would be merciful to our land, so that the Bible method of leadership and personal and family provisions will prevail in, “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” II Corinthians 8:21…, That each of us would, “…study to be quiet, and to work with your own hands…” I Thessalonians 4:11, and understand and believe God’s command… “that if any would not work, neither should he eat,” II Thessalonians 3:10
May the Lord be pleased to grant that these truths and principles be the long future in America!