The Role of a Ruler

For Friday, April 18, 2008
Proverbs 31:1-9

The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2 What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb?
What are you doing, son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to take strong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
7 let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.

A ruler is placed in his position for the purpose of serving those under him, judging rigtheously, and defending the rights of everyone, especially those who are vulnerable to oppression. As such, he is to see his advantageous position of power and wealth as a responsibility to all the more act soberly and maintain integrity, both of which these very possessions dangerously tempt him to lose.

Power corrupts. It leads to arrogance. It takes the powerful man and breaks him so that he has no power to control his sin and folly. The same is true with wealth. It also corrupts him, weakening his moral resolve. It attracts leeches who gather around to suck his money and favor. And when the two are combined in the life of a ruler, the results can be devastating for himself and all who are under him.

Note the two likely temptations - drink and sex. The ruler with power and wealth can have as much drink and sex as he likes. Indeed, he not only has to restrain his own lusts, but he has to resist those who would try to foist these things upon him. For they desire to see him give way because of the advantages they receive - namely, to get his money and his favors.

The ruler - and the ruler may be a government official or a boss or some other kind of leader - must keep before him the high responsibility of his position. It is for doing good, not for gaining personal advantage. The one who understands his purpose and keeps to it is one who obtains nobility. The one who gives into the lusts his position can afford becomes a slave to others and a tyrant over those whom he should be serving.

Give thanks for our Ruler Jesus Christ who resisted all temptation and kept his eyes on the purpose of his calling.