Why do human have a desire to be ruled? This seems to be something innate within us that is constantly looking for leaders.
There is a fascinating story in 1 Samuel 8, when the elders in Israel came to Samuel asking for a king to lead them. (Because Samuel was old and his sons did not follow in his ways) After speaking with the Lord, Samuel told them that the new king would:
"...take your sons, and appoint them unto him, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and they shall run before his chariots; and he will appoint them unto him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and he will set some to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your flocks: and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king whom ye shall have chosen you; and Jehovah will not answer you in that day."
Amazingly, after all of that news, here was their response:
"But the people refused to hearken unto the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay: but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles."
They either did not believe Samuel (and therefore God), or they thought the potential cost was worth the risk. I also wonder if these elders thought they could personally gain from their ranking in the hierarchy under a new king. This seems likely, given our human nature.
There is a strange loyalty to everyone's favorite politician. Almost any criticism of their favored candidate is considered heresy. It's a bizarre idolization of them. (like this video about Kamala Harris) Any criticism of a favored candidate is met with a similar criticism of their opponent, instead of acknowledging their shortcoming.
Even in the Libertarian party, I've heard many times that all they need is another "Ron Paul-type" candidate. And I even find myself thinking that's true. I've expressed previously my interest in someone like Dave Smith running for office. He's a great communicator and I just hope it'd be enough to open people's eyes to the atrocities our government commits on a daily basis.
But then I remind myself that I'm an anarchist! 😆 Plus, I already have a Ruler. My King is Jesus Christ. I don't want to be like these elders who long for an earthly king, and in the process turn away from what Christ has in store for me. Honestly, I need to constantly remind myself of this fact, because it's so easy to get sucked into the drama of the earthly fight for power. Christ is the "Lord of lords and King of kings" (Rev 17:14) and that's all I need to know.
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