Without a doubt, this election has become one to remember. We have seen numerous candidates rise and fall in the public eye over the last year, but one has made more noise than all of the others combined. Just hearing his name incites a visceral reaction–either the feeling of rising hope, or of deep-seated disgust. His name represents something to everyone. But if you think he is the first (or last) candidate to have such a divisive rise to power, think again.
I’m of course talking about Mr. Trump, but if you traveled back in time some 3,000 years, another figure would have been in the public spotlight. It was during an age of struggle and uncertainly, much like our own. The man rose onto the scene promising that things would get better and that the people would finally get the sort of lives they both wanted and deserved. His “election” was unprecedented (1 Samuel 8). From a nation of prophets and priests rose the first king of Israel: Saul.
Saul was a man of the people. He was tall, strong, and good looking. On top of that, he was a get-things-done kind of guy. The nation quickly rallied around him as he beckoned them to follow his lead. And it worked, for a short time. Saul led Israel to become more than it was, but still less than it could be. Eventually, everything came crashing down. Saul destroyed his own legacy and brought Israel down with him.
Is Trump our modern day Saul? Maybe, maybe not. However, if we are going to be responsible Christians, responsible… [Read more…] about What the Old Testament Has to Say about This Election