By: Obed Pineda
“It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness” (Proverbs 16:12)
When you think about a king, what image projects in your mind? Is it the image of a man elegantly dressed, with a gorgeous jeweled crown atop his head sitting on an adorned throne, surrounded by subjects ready to obey his every command? Does your subconscious immediately equate being king with being endowed with an unlimited source of power to do so as you please? For those who ravenously covet to be king someday, this undoubtedly is the image that dominates their understanding of what it means to rule. Yet, the reality of what a king should be is often absent from the picture that appears in our minds. Due to the myriad of examples in history of egocentric and self-serving monarchs who abused their power, the primary purpose of a ruler has vanished from memory. After King Solomon’s death and his son Rehoboam, was crowned king, the people of Israel appeared before him, clamoring for mercy and compassion from their king. King Rehoboam seeks advice from the advisors who had served his father, and in their counsel the primary duty of a king is revealed: “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever” (1st Kings 12:7, emphasis added). Unfortunately, this did not sit well with the king and he rejected their wise words, making the palpable rebellion inevitable. Rehoboam traded the bulk of his kingdom in exchange for appeasing his foolish ego. His refusal to acknowledge that his duty as king is to serve his kingdom first, is a terrible mistake every leader would be wise to learn to avoid. Nehemiah, one of Judah’s greatest leaders, certainly did not loose sight of this valuable fact and rebuked the nobles and rulers of Jerusalem to cease oppressing their kinsmen through usury (Nehemiah 5:1-13). The greatness of his leadership is illustrated by the Holy Spirit as He espouses, “Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor’s provision. But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God. Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work” (Nehemiah 5:14-16, emphasis added). The contrasting examples of Rehoboam’s and Nehemiah’s comprehension of leadership exhibit’s the lesson the Lord revealed to His disciples concerning the greatness of serving (Matthew 20:24-28, Mark 10:41-45). It is undeniable that a trait that is shared by all those who are deemed as great leaders is their selfless sacrifice of self-interest for the benefit of those whom they lead. Although Nehemiah had the right to partake of the governor’s provision, he elected not to do so, observing that “the bondage was heavy on this people” (Nehemiah 5:18b, emphasis added). Our Redeemer, in comparing Himself with the rulers of the world, clarified “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, emphasis added). Thus, this mentality of putting the needs of the people above their own, is how they succeeded in making wise decisions when governing the people. The best interest of those whom they led was genuinely at the core of their leadership. Unlike Rehoboam and the previous governors of Judah in the days of Nehemiah, they carefully considered the situation and weighed the options, finally selecting what would fit best and, if possible, not be too grievous upon the shoulders of the whole. This endeavor, a wise guide is able to achieve when he has the humility to lower himself through empathy with the intent of seeing things from their perspective. The inspired apostle to the Gentiles counseled the Colossian “Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1, emphasis added). The apostle astutely exhorts the Colossians to empathize with their bondservants by remembering the blessed feeling they experience in having the just and benevolent Lord Christ above them. He also commands the heads of households, “husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them…fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Colossians 3:19, 21). Remember that a husband and father is similar to a king in his responsibility to his home. In his instructions to the young evangelist as to what is required for a man to serve as a bishop, Paul includes that he must be “one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God” (1st Timothy 3:4-5, emphasis added)? Unequivocally, it is easily understood that a husband who solely seeks his self-interest from his wife and neglects her needs is not one who rules well. A father who does not take into consideration the needs of his children, nor will allow their voices to express their opinions is more a tyrant than a just ruler. Ergo, a head of household is similar to a king who must attend to the needs of his home before his own, lest he provoke a rebellious spirit to be aroused in the heart of his wife and children. The same is true of a teacher with his students, a business owner with his employees, a team captain with his teammates, or any form of leadership role that can be thought of. What makes the crown of a leader heavy is the responsibility and accountability for the decisions that he makes attached to it. Those who are in these positions of guides have to accept that their decisions now encompasses the people who have chosen to follow them. Because this is so, it is unwise for a leader to ignore the influence his example and choices will have on those who trust him. It is this reality what makes the crown bestowed upon their brow so heavy, if the ruler is wise and righteous. It is this burden that helps maintain any ruler (husband, father, governor, master, boss, elder, preacher, etc.) grounded and diligent in his rule. A wise leader who cares for his followers always, will strive to make choices that are in their best interest and not just his own. Responsible decisions made with selflessness are not made out of personal convenience, but in righteousness; even if it may not always be a popular decision. Often, it is in these types of situations where the true worth of a leader is proven, but also when the true weight of his crown is felt. Verily, when one learns of the liability tied to a leadership role, it makes one appreciate much more those who, in meekness and with love, lead through servitude.