by By Dr. Nathan E. Jones
As we approach November, I am often asked about my thoughts on the upcoming election. My response is the same as it is to many other questions: I turn to Scripture. In this case, I turn to Isaiah 3:4, which says, “I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.”
The Leaders’ Spiritual Maturity
“I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.” This verse speaks to the leaders’ spiritual maturity. The real question that needs to be answered is: Do we have mature, Godly leadership, or spiritually immature leaders?
– Who makes decisions for the majority?
– Who provides entertainment for the masses?
– Who teaches the next generation?
The babes and children mentioned in Isaiah three are a reference to the incompetence, weakness, and ignorance of the people that God will allow to be elevated to places of authority. In government, in entertainment, in academia.
Spiritually Immature Children
What does a spiritually immature child look like? Jesus answers that question in Matthew 13:
“Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn.”
– Their hearts have grown dull.
– Their ears are hard of hearing.
– Their eyes have closed.
Woe to Them!
Isaiah 3:8-9 speaks about Judah, but it also has meaning for America today:
“Their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence. The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.”
They parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them. You NEVER want to hear the Lord say, “Woe!”
The Arrogant Rejection of Authority
Isaiah 3:5 speaks of the arrogant rejection of authority and the utter disregard of God’s law. This warning speaks of a state of wretchedness, where laws are made to criminalize righteousness and legalize evil. When a nation crosses those lines, one knows that that nation is under judgment. Historically, in Israel’s case, it was so bad, and the ruin of the kingdom was so complete, that Isaiah paints a picture where no one wanted to be charged with the responsibility of ruling it.
Blue Laws
America was a nation that once honored God. We had blue laws on Sundays, which meant businesses were closed. Families went to church and had meals together. Kids started each school day with prayer. School districts printed books teaching New Testament and Old Testament surveys. I have one from the 1950’s printed by a school district in Dallas. We printed the words “In God We Trust” on our money. The purpose of this was to distinguish the United States from atheist nations. In the 1950s, we added “Under God” to our pledge of allegiance. Both the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Memorial have inscriptions that mention God.
Childish Leadership
Do we have children leading us? We have leaders now who want to remove the words “In God We Trust” from our currency. They want to remove the phrase “Under God” from our pledge of allegiance. Some want to do away with the entire pledge. Prayer was taken out of school, and churches no longer had the community respect they once had. Instead of teaching our children about God and His Word, telling them they are created in His image, we teach them there are no longer boys or girls. We teach them gender identity is fluid. We teach them to mock the purity of marriage, and we encourage them to reject absolute truth or morals founded on Biblical truth.
Jesus’ Parables
In the Gospels, Jesus used 37 parables. One of those was the Parable of the Vineyard Owner. The parable speaks of a vineyard owner who allowed tenants to oversee his vineyard, only to have them take control of it and kill everyone the owner sent. How does the owner respond to those wicked tenants? Jesus answers that in Mark 12:9-10, “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.’” Jesus is the stone. He is the cornerstone. To reject Him will reap judgment.
Isaiah 3:24 explains when this judgment comes, “Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame.”
The November Election
Let’s go back to the original question: what are my thoughts on the upcoming election? I think it’s time for individuals to refocus on God. I think it’s time for us to stop mocking God with laws and attitudes directly in conflict with His Word. I think it’s time to change course.
When God wants to bless, He gives a nation strong, God-fearing leaders. When He wants to remove His blessing, God lets children and spiritually immature leaders take positions of authority. This is one way God can call a nation back to him. A nation is not a section of land; it is people. I believe we live in a day where God is calling people back to Him.
Throughout Scripture, I understand that God has a lot of patience. I personally am extremely thankful for that. However, this time – today – as God is calling His people back to Him, I can’t help but wonder if this is His last call before He intercedes.
Maranatha, Lord Jesus!