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Biblical Parables and Prophecy about Society, Politics, and Elections

About secular society and politics

When I would heal Israel, then is the iniquity of Ephraim uncovered, and the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief enters in, and the troop of robbers ravages outside. They don't consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now have their own doings beset them about; they are before my face. They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies. They are all adulterers; they are as an oven heated by the baker; he ceases to stir [the fire], from the kneading of the dough, until it be leavened. On the day of our king the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine; he stretched out his hand with scoffers. For they have made ready their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait: their baker sleeps all the night; in the morning it burns as a flaming fire. They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them who calls to me.
Hosea 7:1-7 (World English Bible)

About elections

One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, "Be our king."
But the olive tree answered, "Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and men are honored, to hold sway over the trees?"
Next the trees said to the fig tree, "Come and be our king."
But the fig tree replied, "Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?"
Then the trees said to the vine, "Come and be our king."
But the vine answered, "Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and men, to hold sway over the trees?"
Finally, the trees said to the thornbush, "Come and be our king."
The thornbush said to the trees, "If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!"
Judges 9:8-18 (New International Version)

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I gave my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
Ecclesiastes 1:12-15 (King James Version)

This wisdom have I seen under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: There was a little city, and a few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless, the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him who ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 (King James Version)

About the place of God's people in politics

You said to me, "No, but a king shall reign over us;" when Yahweh your God was your king. Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have asked for: and, behold, Yahweh has set a king over you. If you will fear Yahweh, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, and both you and also the king who reigns over you be followers of Yahweh your God, well: but if you will not listen to the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then will the hand of Yahweh be against you, as it was against your fathers?

All the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king." Samuel said to the people, "Don't be afraid; you have indeed done all this evil; yet don't turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart: and don't turn aside; for then would you go after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain. For Yahweh will not forsake his people for his great name's sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people to himself. Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear Yahweh, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he has done for you. But if you shall still do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king."
I Samuel 13:12b-15, 20-25 (World English Bible)

Ian Johnson & Jonathan Brickman
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