Church Weekly
12 Dec 2021

CHURCH WEEKLY

ARE YOU AN ABOMINABLE LEADER?

From the Advisory Pastor

Dear Members in Christ,

Are you an Abominable Leader?

Proverbs 16:12 “It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.”

Every man can be a leader. As long as there are followers, even one, he is a leader of one. We cannot stop people from following and regarding us as leaders. For example, parents are by default leaders to their children. The children will imitate or follow their mannerisms including the way they speak, walk, dress, the good and bad habits. This is natural. Imitation is the best way to learn. The one we imitate is our “leader.” Thus, it is important that we are good leaders.

Of course, there are appointed leaders such as those in government. These appointed leaders include teachers, employers and employees who have subordinates under their care. In short, everyone is a leader in one way or another. But appointed leaders have a greater burden and duty to the ones who appointed them to lead them. They fought for the leadership. They must now bear the responsibility of leadership that impacts the lives of many. The important question is: what kind of leaders are they? Nations will curse or thank them for their leadership after they die. They will leave behind a legacy of either good or evil. Many are mindful of such a legacy and try their best to be good leaders to their people. But we also know of many evil despots who massacred their own people in the millions using genocidal tactics that have destroyed generations and left behind scars of death that will never be forgotten. However, they are not the worst leaders.

The worst leaders are not found in the world but in the Old Testament nation of Israel and the New Testament church. Leaders of God’s people have a responsibility to represent God, whereas the leaders of the world only represent man. The leaders of God’s people impact the eternity of the ones they lead, whereas the worldly leaders impact only life on earth. Leaders of God’s people lead in the name of God in Christ. They shame the holy Name of God and Christ when they lead wickedly; and they exalt the Name of God and Christ when they lead righteously. These are the leaders that matter most to the LORD. They impact the people of God and the world for Christ which the people of the world are unable to do. Thus the question must be asked, “Are we abominable leaders in the sight of God?”

The literal translation of verse 12 is, “An abomination to kings to do wickedness, for by righteousness is the throne established.” The LORD seldom used the word “abomination” to describe a sin. But whenever He did, it means that the sin was very grievous in His holy sight. The people rejected theocracy and demanded a monarchy. This happened in the last days of Prophet Samuel’s ministry when the people of Israel demanded a king who was to be like all the kings of the Gentile nations around them. The LORD says that it was an abomination to any king of Israel who did wickedness. The king of Israel represented the LORD. Therefore he was to speak on behalf of God. His word was God's word. He was to rule as God rules. His people were God’s people, never his. The people of Israel needed to live in holiness according to the laws that the king passed. In this way, God would be pleased and Christ would be seen through the witness of Israel.

The rule of the king of Israel was always to be a spiritual one. All he needed to do was to read the Word of God and rule God's people according to God's holy Word.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: 20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.”

With the fear of God in his heart he would rule God's people in righteousness according to Scriptures. This was what God wanted for His kings and people so that a godly witness for Christ would shine brightly like a great light from heaven to a dark and sinful world. If he was idolatrous, the nation would be idolatrous. If he was godly, the nation of Israel would be godly. The king ruled with absolute power as all kings do. Thus if he ruled in wickedness according to what was right in his own eyes like all the Gentile kings, the LORD would surely punish him. He was an abomination to Him.

This choice to be wicked or righteous applies to all believers who are leaders. To those who choose to be leaders in church, you must take heed to God's warning even more. No one will escape the righteous and holy justice of God if he does wickedness, as this is an abominable sin to Him. Christ’s blessed name will be ruined by a wicked leader. But His blessed Name is exalted by a righteous leader to God’s glory! Let us choose wisely, as we are all leaders by default!

In Christ,

Rev. (Dr.) Quek Suan Yew