Universal Desire for Good Leadership

[Paul]

On page 71, Dr. Laniak points out that during the Middle Kingdom (2040-1640 BC) “kings were at pains to represent themselves as just kings.” The kind of official throne names that these leaders adopted, therefore, reflected their desire to be seen and thought of in this light.

There is a universal desire for justice, fairness, and integrity on the part of our leaders. The kings during this period understood this universal desire, and therefore claimed to be the answer to the people’s ideal. But they were mere men, after all. And no matter how much or how eloquently they proclaimed their virtues about being good shepherds, they were phonies. They could not live up to what their people wanted. Without the presence and empowerment of the true God, they could never do so. Yet, they continued to select names for themselves like “shepherd of the people.” This was part of their PR, even though the reality was far different. They were often cruel, wicked, unjust, whimsical, and untrustworthy.

Micah 6:8 declares, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” The only one who could ever live up to the ideals of justice, fairness, and integrity is God himself, or any person who has the presence, the power, and the Word of the true God to help him.
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Paul Linzey