1Listen now to what Yahweh says:
“Arise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear what you have to say.
2Hear, you mountains, Yahweh’s indictment,
and you enduring foundations of the earth;
for Yahweh has a case against his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
3My people, what have I done to you?
How have I burdened you?
Answer me!
4For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you out of the house of bondage.
I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
5My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised,
and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh.”
6How shall I come before Yahweh,
and bow myself before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams?
With tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience?
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8He has shown you, O man, what is good.
What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
9Yahweh’s voice calls to the city—
and wisdom fears your name—
“Listen to the rod,
and he who appointed it.
10Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked,
and a short ephah that is accursed?
11Shall I tolerate dishonest scales,
and a bag of deceitful weights?
12Her rich men are full of violence,
her inhabitants speak lies,
and their tongue is deceitful in their speech.
13Therefore I also have struck you with a grievous wound.
I have made you desolate because of your sins.
14You shall eat, but not be satisfied.
Your hunger will be within you.
You will store up, but not save,
and that which you save I will give up to the sword.
15You will sow, but won’t reap.
You will tread the olives, but won’t anoint yourself with oil;
and crush grapes, but won’t drink the wine.
16For the statutes of Omri are kept,
and all the works of Ahab’s house.
You walk in their counsels,
that I may make you a ruin,
and your inhabitants a hissing.
You will bear the reproach of my people.”
A False Dichotomy
Coin Bearing Caesar's Image
These verses prompt considerable introspection and consternation within the Christian community. Especially in the United States, where we as citizens have freedoms that the rest of the world community of Christians doesn’t enjoy. It causes us to wonder, “How much should we be involved in politics?” Some Christians, like most of the Amish, think that it means we shouldn’t even vote. I believe that is errant thinking. I think that each of us, as believers, will have to answer for the votes we cast and for those we ignored to cast. The Bible is filled with calls to action, both within the Church and in the communities in which we live. We should support policies that reflect biblical values. I even think that every believer should pray and ask God whether they should be involved in political leadership. When I was a young man, being fluent in Spanish in Texas, I was encouraged by many people to “run for governor” or get involved in local politics, as I could appeal to a broader audience. I neither felt inclined nor led to do such a thing. I just wanted to build a business, share the gospel, and serve others. So, political leadership isn’t for every Christian, but I sure believe it is for some.
A country that is respectful of God’s ways is a country with law, order, justice, mercy, and concern for our fellow citizens. Godly citizens should manifest the Fruit of the Spirit in how they speak and how they behave. Being involved doesn’t mean “forcing our religion” on others, as some political adversaries might state. Instead, it is heeding the call of the Prophet Micah, who tells us what the will of God is for mankind: to love justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). We are to vote in conformance with that. This includes voting for the sanctity of life, supporting godly law enforcement over chaos, sentencing that matches the crime, and prioritizing the rights of the individual over the government’s rights, because each person is made in the image of God.
The Pharisees were once again trying to catch Jesus off guard. They were presenting him with a false dilemma (also known as a false dichotomy). That means an “either/or” kind of argument. The Christian walk regarding government presents no false dichotomy. It is not a zero-sum game. Jesus is telling us to be involved in the things of God and in the things of government. We need to keep them in the proper perspective. Being involved in things of government means different things to different believers in various places. In North Korea, China, or Yemen, it might mean just trying to stay alive as you go through each day, trusting God and doing whatever work He has for you to do. In the United States, it might mean engaging in public debate and dialogue as did Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last week. Charlie lovingly presented the things of God, giving his opponents an opportunity to speak. We are always to present the truths of God, but to do so in love (Ephesians 4:15). So, I think Jesus is calling for balance in the life of a believer. Be involved in the political system in which you find yourself as much as you are called to do, but always remember that the things that matter most are the things of God. They are eternal. Worldly government is not. They will fall. The Kingdom of God will go on forever. Love Him with all of your heart, soul, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. Let your engagement with any government reflect those core truths.