Power Corrupts

Yearly Reading: Exodus 7-11

But as for you and your officials, I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God. Exodus 9: 30 NRSV

Local, state, national and international leadership are all in the same boat with Pharaoh and his advisers: they do not fear God.

I think we can all agree that once someone has a position of power in government, they tend to believe they are greater than the rest of us. And it really doesn't matter what party they belong to! In fact, I would say that they tend to see themselves as gods. Power doesn't just corrupt - it completely changes the worldview of those who hold it.

This is just like Pharaoh and his officials. They have no fear of God. In fact, Egyptians believed that Pharaoh was a god. I suppose Pharaoh saw himself as superior to this Hebrew God whose people were Pharaoh's slaves. However, his magicians as well as many of the "regular" folk do seem to have come to at least have a healthy respect of this God of the Hebrews.

I think we need to constantly pray for all of our leaders: that they may have softened hearts and fear God. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims