“When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan” (Proverbs 29:2).

Solomon said in Proverbs that people rejoice when a righteous person is in authority. This is because a righteous person is likely to make decisions that benefit others, because they fear God. The opposite is true when a wicked person is in power and then the people groan. The wicked often make laws and decrees that are oppressive, antagonistic and negatively affect people. Sometimes wicked people will make laws that oppress the poor and disadvantaged, while making laws that benefit their friends. We can often see systems of government that seem to benefit the wealthy and those in leadership. There are also some biblical examples of people in leadership who were oppressive. These examples point out how their leadership negatively affected people and how God responded.

Pharaoh was an oppressive leader of the Israelites in Egypt. He was threatened by the rapid expansion of the Jewish people and wanted to reduce their numbers. “Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses” (Exodus 1:11). When these actions didn’t work, Pharaoh went as far as killing the newborn male infants. God executed judgment on Pharoah and Egypt by sending plagues, killing their firstborns and then causing their army to drown in the Red Sea, when they pursued the Jews. God eventually delivered his people and settled them in their own lands. Moses and Joshua led the people and were righteous men. Both of them led the people out of bondage and helped them to settle in Canaan and they had peace and rest.

David was also a righteous leader and for the latter part of his reign, Isreal had peace. Solomon also had rest and there were no battles in Isreal during his reign. He did not completely honour God and his love of foreign women, caused Isreal to fall into sin. Subsequent Kings after Solomon also caused Isreal to sin and walk in disobedience before God. One of the most detestable kings of Isreal was Ahab, who caused the people to serve strange gods. Due to the rampant wickedness during his reign, Elijah prayed and there was no rain for three years. This was rendering God’s judgment on the land, due to sin and wickedness. The drought would have affected all of the people, who relied on the rain to nourish their crops and water their animals. It’s safe to say that this wicked king and his wife’s actions, caused the people to groan from the drought and lack.

We have to pray for the people who are in authority over us. We also need to pray for God’s will to be done concerning leadership and governance. There are times when we can pray, for God to remove some wicked people out of positions of authority. The leadership structures of a country, community or a company will directly affect its people. The devil will relish in allowing his wicked agents to be in places of authority, in order to oppress God’s people. God also wants his righteous people in positions of authority, in order that the people will rejoice and have peace. Respecting leaders and praying for them, does not absolve us of the duty to pray for God’s judgement and justice. It was the cries and prayers of the Jews in Egypt, that went up to God when he sent Moses to deliver them (Exodus 3:9).

”When evil people are in power, crime increases. But the righteous will live to see the downfall of such people” (Proverbs 29:16).

A.P.-Y.

Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

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