Countries whose leaders are like children are not healthy places to live, because the laws they create are unjust. After all, their authors often feel above the law and abuse the people, acting as if they were in a land without rules. Now, a nation whose God is the Lord, where the majority respects Him and the people follow good principles, is suitable for living (Psalm 33:12).

The prophet Isaiah speaks of a time when Israel would suffer greatly because the rulers and law enforcers would be immature and oppress the people. Now, the law exists to protect those who respect it: citizens who strive for good living, taking into account the rights of all. Corruption, for example, is an evil that distorts the understanding of even law enforcers and needs to be eradicated.

Isaiah predicted the rise of women in the leadership of the nation, which in those days would be harmful because they were trained only for housework. In this case, the prophet stated that if they were in positions for which they had not been prepared, everyone would suffer. It was Jesus who began the preparation of women by having many in His group of helpers who remained at His feet to learn His teachings (Luke 8:1-3). Those who hear the lesson learn!

On one occasion, Christ went to the synagogue of a city in Galilee and began to minister the Word that would lead those present to have the faith to heal them of their ills. He was persecuted by the priests and Pharisees, a sect of Judaism known and respected in those days, as well as by the scribes, men who copied and taught the Scriptures, letter by letter, and therefore thought they knew what God's will was. Jesus showed the cause of the suffering of all those who were there (Luke 5:17-26).

The Master saw a woman bent over and knew that she had been suffering from this affliction for 18 years. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity. (Luke 13.12). Why did He declare her free, even before laying His hands on her? Because she had listened to what He taught; after all, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

By saying that behind that abnormality there was an evil spirit (Luke 13:16), Christ shook the structure of the official religion of those days. The Pharisees said that He cast out demons by Beelzebub, the chief of the evil spirits. However, the people, witnessing the miracles, began to pay attention to the Savior, for His Word had power. After showing that the cause was spiritual, something never before said to those people, Jesus began to teach by parables (Luke 13:17-30).

We need leaders who know the Lord and will never accept bribes. In this way, the people will learn to do what is right. Ministers of the Gospel should not become politicians, because the anointing they receive from the Most High is intended to educate God's people in the Word. Those who set out to lead a nation are the most tempted by the devil. Be careful!

In Christ, with love,

         R. R. Soares