The Righteous and the Wicked in Public Leadership

“When the righteous people are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked rule, the people groan”

The “righteous” used in that scripture text has nothing to do with whether someone is a Christian or not. The reason is that Christianity was not yet born when King Solomon of Israel put forth that statement.

However, the word “righteous” in that context refers to any leader who knows what is right for the people and does what is right for the interest of the people. That leader (s) is totally devoted to the welfare, protection and promotion of the good of the people, instead of protection and promotion of his or her own interests.

Wherever that kind of person is in the position of public leadership, the people rejoice! Why?

Because the leader works for their interests and the impact of his leadership is evidenced in the higher quality of life for the people.

But the wicked ruler is that one that oppresses the people by force and through policies, thereby making the people groan under his or her leadership.

The point to note here is this scripture is that it has nothing to do with having a Christian in the position of public leadership, but having leaders who are people-centric and not self-centered in leadership. Even if the person is an idol worship or does not even believe in God, provided that the leader commits himself to the welfare of the people by practice and by policies, the people will rejoice.

In the end, public leadership is for public benefit, not for self-benefit or for a clique-benefit.

When the righteous rule the people rejoice. When the wicked is in authority, the people groan.

The rejoicing or groaning of the people is the scriptural and divine proof and distinction between a righteous and a wicked ruler.

If the majority of people rejoice – that’s a righteous ruler. If the majority of the people groan, lament and live in crushing poverty, that is proof of a wicked ruler on the throne.

I hope this helps clarify the scripture without ascribing it to any person in particular.

In a democracy, you decide who rules you by observing their antecedents. If their previous rule made the majority of people rejoice, then that is a righteous ruler that should be supported to rule again. If the majority of people groan under their previous leadership, that is a wicked ruler that should be avoided and not supported to continue to rule.

Democracy gives citizens an opportunity to choose who rules them. If citizens make the right choice, they enjoy it. If they make the wrong choice because of ethnicity, religion or personal affiliation, they will suffer it, and will have nobody to blame, but themselves.

The choice is yours. Either you elect those whose previous leadership style and practice has made you rejoice or those that have made you groan 😮‍💨 The choice is left to you.

Don’t allow anyone to deceive you with religion or ethnicity. Check their public leadership antecedents.