The Choice

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Summary

Moses set before Israel a stark choice: life and prosperity, or death and adversity, depending on whether they would love the Lord, walk in His ways, and keep His commands, or turn aside to worship other gods (Deuteronomy 30:15-19). With the 2022 national election approaching, the church is called to be salt and light in that same spirit of choosing, resisting the common temptation to look at candidates as political saviors or to choose based only on what looks favorable rather than on God’s righteousness.

Deuteronomy’s laws for Israel’s kings apply directly: a king was to be chosen from among the people, never a foreigner, and was warned against multiplying horses, wives, or silver and gold for himself, trusting instead in the Lord rather than in Egypt’s chariots for security (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). Isaiah’s warning against those who go down to Egypt for help, trusting horses rather than looking to the Holy One of Israel, reinforces the same call: the choice before God’s people is finally about whom they will trust, not merely whom they will vote for.

Essential truths

  1. Every generation faces Moses' choice between life and death, blessing and curse, depending on faithfulness to God.
  2. Christians should not treat political candidates as saviors or choose leaders merely by what looks favorable in their own eyes.
  3. Scripture's standards for choosing a king, humility, restraint from self-enrichment, and trust in God, still apply to how believers evaluate leaders.
  4. True security comes from trusting the Lord, not from human power, wealth, or alliances.

Encouragement and challenge

As you vote and evaluate leaders, choose based on God's righteousness rather than on what is merely favorable in your own eyes, and place your ultimate trust in the Lord, not in any candidate.

Reference verses

  • Deuteronomy 30:15-19
  • Deuteronomy 17:14-20
  • Isaiah 31:1

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