Though it’s not included among the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), nor explicitly expressed in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21) or by the apostle Paul when he otherwise spelled out some character traits that bespeak of ethical behavior, could anyone seriously think that a person – especially a leader of people/s – could be a model for moral principles without knowing and trying to be in God’s heart? Most of us would probably think readily of the shepherd boy and later king named David as someone ‘after God’s own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), even though he made awful mistakes along the way, including one with Bathsheba that was especially damaging. David was willing to have his course corrected after he’d recognized his misdeeds, or when an attitude unworthy of the reputation he wanted to foster was threatening (like when Abigail dissuaded him from shedding blood over an insult – 1 Samuel 25:18-35). But, there’s another character who really showed God’s character, especially when he might have been expected to show vindictiveness for those who had wronged him. Joseph. Think of all that happened to him, and yet at the climax of the years-long episode with his brothers, he forgave (see chapters 42 through 50, esp. 45:1-14 and 50:15-20) when he had more than one opportunity to punish his brothers for having sold him into Egypt (see here the 1863 masterpiece artwork by Léon Pierre Urbain Bourgeois [1842–1911], Joseph Recognized by His Brothers). Additionally, the story that Jesus told about a lost son and a father who forgave him (Luke 15:11-32) tells us something about God’s heart. Furthermore, His reaction to a conversation with Moses in the wake of the people committing great sin (Exodus 32:9-14) – He changed His mind – was not uncommon with this Father. It was similar to so many subsequent episodes in the Jewish nation’s relationship with the Almighty (see book of Judges, for example).
Heart. Can a person’s true heart be discerned? Jesus spoke pretty clearly on this specific subject, lest anyone assert that no one can judge a person’s heart. Jesus directly tied a person’s heart to what behaviors are seen, and what words come out of one’s mouth (Matt. 12:34-37; Matthew 15:18-19; Luke 6:45), so actions and speech flow from deep within a person’s being. Am I concerned for the needy, for instance? One of Solomon’s two psalms (Psalm 72, either written by him or for him) shows the wisdom sought by and for a leader, who begins this song by emphasizing things within his purview like justice, righteousness, helping the needy, concern for the afflicted, and opposing the oppressor (vv. 1-4, 12-14) and general prosperity for the people. The psalm also includes the worldwide renown and dominion of such a leader, yet all because he is a generous and kindly person, and able to bless the entire world through his leadership. The last verses show that this leader is still in the shadow of God, who alone does marvelous deeds (v. 18). Implicit in this is a humility that any leader, no matter how wise and full of good deeds he is, must acknowledge. The goodness the earthly leader bestows flows initially from God Himself.
So, in summary, a person with a heart full of God can do many good things because of his position, but could fall in the trap of doing other things contrary to basic ethics, since we all are human, after all. The Solomon who started out so well fell into the sin-plagued traps common to humanity, but so very conspicuous and punishing because of his position and power. Consider the following, and determine for yourself if the leader of the ‘free world’ today -- indeed another who is quite conspicuous, and indeed seems to seek out the limelight -- has God’s heart:
· Does he forgive people, or does he hold grudges and try to punish those who don’t believe as he does?
· Is he in the habit of promoting himself with events to celebrate himself?
· Is he showing concern for the needy?
· Does he use state power to pursue his own beliefs and try to validate his own position?
· Is he preserving or reversing long-held basic human/citizenship rights? (the 14th Amendment, for example)
· Is he willing to change his mind, even to admit he doesn’t know everything?
· Has this leader been a ‘little guy’ with some humility in his background (like David who had been a shepherd boy – see 1 Sam. 16:11-12; 2 Sam. 7:8)?
See the following sites and read for yourself:
One Big Beautiful Bill Act - Wikipedia (was it really necessary to pump up the bill by giving it such a gaudy name?)
Birthright citizenship in the United States - Wikipedia
United States Army 250th Anniversary Parade - Wikipedia
Trump hits Brazil with 50% tariff, in part due to trial of ally Jair Bolsonaro
See information about the picture here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bourgeois_Joseph_recognized_by_his_brothers.jpg …This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or fewer. {{PD-1996}} – public domain in its source country on January 1, 1996 and in the United States.
