Israel Palestine Conflict, The issue and historical context!
The Christian’s Role in the Installation of Government Leaders
1. The Christian’s Role in the
Installation of Government Leaders
A presentation by Bp Reuben Abante
2. IT’S UP TO YOU
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One hand clasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
3. IT’S UP TO YOU
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start a journey,
One word must start each prayer.
4. IT’S UP TO YOU
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true,
One life can make the difference,
You see it’s up to you!
5. “A little neglect may breed
great mischief –
For want of a nail,
the shoe was lost;
For want of a shoe,
the horse was lost;
For want of a horse,
the rider was lost;
And for want of a rider,
the battle was lost.”
– Benjamin Franklin
6. “He who does not bring into
government, whether as governor or
subject, some religious feeling, some
higher motive than expediency, is
likely to make but an indifferent
governor or an indifferent subject.
Without piety there will be no good
government.”
7. “ I am in politics because of the
conflict between good and
evil, and I believe that in the
end, good will triumph.”
- Margaret Thatcher
8. “For the Philippines, which claims to be
the only Christian nation in Asia, to be
perceived as the most corrupt nation in
Asia, is a paradox. It is a paradox that
calls into question the bases not only of
the brand of politics that move our
government, but of the very ethics that
guide the actions of Filipino society as a
whole.”
9. “While the principles behind Philippine
democracy may be described as moral and
Christian, the practice of Philippine politics
is not. From this dichotomy springs this
paradox.”
10. “Philippine politics can be described as
secular at best, with the ethical and moral
considerations of it becoming a concern
only during campaign periods in the run-
up to elections. During this time,
candidates become “maka-Diyos,
makatao, makakalikasan,” among others.
11. After elections, ethical and moral
considerations are sidelined in favor of
partisan political interests.
12. But lest I be misunderstood, let me clarify:
I do not blame the politicians. This
distinction I reserve and place squarely on
the shoulders of Christians who have
traditionally distanced themselves from
any moral influence in politics and public
governance.
13. All because of a poor understanding of the
Constitutional provision that states that
the separation of church and state shall
remain inviolable
14. “The Bible teaches, “the powers that be
are ordained of God” (Rom 13:1) and that
the ruler is the “minister of God to thee
for good” (Rom 13:4).
15. “Rom 13:1-2 says, “Let every soul be
subject unto the higher powers. For there
is no power but of God: the powers that
be are ordained of God. Whosoever
therefore resisteth the power, resisteth
the ordinance of God: and they that resist
shall receive to themselves damnation.”
16. “But while Christians should indeed be
subject to “the powers that be” this
presentation believes that they should
actively participate
1) in the installation of moral people in
leadership positions;
2) in the legislation of moral laws, and
3) in the moral implementation of the
law.”
17. Once upon a time in the kingdom of Heaven, God
was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael the
Archangel found him, resting on the seventh day.
He inquired of God, "Where have you been?"
How God Made the Philippines
18. God sigheda deep sigh of satisfaction andproudly
pointeddownwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael.
Look what I've made."
How God Made the Philippines
19. Archangel Michael lookedpuzzledandsaid, "What is
it?"
"It's a planet," repliedGod, "andI've put Life on it. I'm
going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of
balance."
How God Made the Philippines
20. "Balance?" inquiredMichael, still confused. God
explained, “Northern Europe will be a place of great
opportunity and wealth, but cold andharsh,” while
pointing to different parts of earth. “Southern Europe is
going to be poor but sunny and pleasant."
How God Made the Philippines
21. "I have made some lands abundant in water andother
lands parcheddeserts. This one will be extremely hot,
while this one will be very coldandcovered in ice."
How God Made the Philippines
22. The Archangel, impressedby God's work, then pointed
to a group of Islands andsaid, "What are those?"
How God Made the Philippines
23. "Ah," saidGod. "That's the Philippines, the most glorious
place on earth. There are beautiful beaches, rivers,
mountains andforests.
How God Made the Philippines
24. The people from the Philippines are going to be
handsome, modest, intelligent and humorous andthey
are going to be foundtravelling the world.
How God Made the Philippines
25. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking and high
achieving andthey will be known throughout the world
as carriers of peace andlove."
How God Made the Philippines
26. Michael gaspedin wonder and admiration but then
proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You saidthere
wouldbe balance."
How God Made the Philippines
27. God repliedwisely, "Wait until you see the kindof
people they elect as their leaders."
How God Made the Philippines
28. Transparency InternationaI Corruption Perceptions Index
The annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), first released in 1995, is the
best known of TI’s tools. It has been widely credited with putting TI and the
issue of corruption on the international policy agenda. The CPI ranks 180
countries by their perceived levels of corruption, as determined by expert
assessments and opinion surveys.
29. Transparency International’s
Corruption Perception Index
• In 1998, RP was #55 among 85 “least corrupt countries.”
• In 1999, RP was #54 among 99 “least corrupt countries.”
• In 2000, RP was #69 among 90 “least corrupt countries.”
• In 2001, RP was #65 among 91 “least corrupt countries.”
• In 2002, RP was #77 among 102 “least corrupt countries.”
• In 2008, RP is #141 among 180 “least corrupt countries”
• In 2009, RP is #139 among 180 “least corrupt countries!!!
30. Transparency International’s
Corruption Perception Index
• The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) table shows a country's
ranking and score, the number of surveys used to determine the
score, and the confidence range of the scoring.
• The rank shows how one country compares to others included in
the index. The CPI score indicates the perceived level of public-
sector corruption in a country/territory.
• The CPI is based on 13 independent surveys. However, not all
surveys include all countries. The surveys used column indicates
how many surveys were relied upon to determine the score for that
country.
• The confidence range indicates the reliability of the CPI scores and
tells us that allowing for a margin of error, we can be 90% confident
that the true score for this country lies within this range.
31. Transparency International’s
Corruption Perception Index
• The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) table shows a country's ranking
and score, the number of surveys used to determine the score, and the
confidence range of the scoring.
• The rank shows how one country compares to others included in the
index. The CPI score indicates the perceived level of public-sector
corruption in a country/territory.
• The CPI is based on 13 independent surveys. However, not all surveys
include all countries. The surveys used column indicates how many surveys
were relied upon to determine the score for that country.
• The confidence range indicates the reliability of the CPI scores and tells us
that allowing for a margin of error, we can be 90% confident that the true
score for this country lies within this range.
32. Transparency International’s
Corruption Perception Index
• These Corruption Index figures reveal to us that
Christians in the Philippines have not actually
“influenced” our communities, towns, municipalities,
cities and government agencies with our righteous
living!
• These indicate that it is time we rise so we may be
significant in making our people upright before God;
• When the Bible says, “Righteousness exalts a nation” –
it means the virtue of righteousness (ang pagiging
matuwid) should be felt and be present in all areas –
from our families, to our churches, market place,
barangays, hospitals, city halls, etc.
33. Here are some Biblical
teachings relevant to
the Christian’s role in
society.
34. The Bible teaches that
Christians should place a
priority concern for
government leaders.
35. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that
we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty.”
-1 Tim 2:1-2 KJV
36. The Bible teaches that Christians
should be law abiding.
Submit yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the
Lord's sake…
- 1 Peter 2:13 KJV
37. The Bible teaches that
Christians should be
“proactive” in contributing
to the peace and welfare of
the community.
38. And seek the peace of the city
whither I have caused you to be
carried away captives, and pray unto
the Lord for it: for in the peace
thereof shall ye have peace.
- Jer 29:7 KJV
39. The Bible teaches that Christians
should not be rebellious.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher
powers. For there is no power but of
God: the powers that be are ordained of
God.
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not
only for wrath, but also for conscience
sake.
Rom 13:1,5
40. The Bible teaches that Christians
should make an impact in society
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with
immoral people;
I did not at all mean with the immoral people
of this world, or with the covetous and
swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you
would have to go out of the world
1 Cor 5:9-10 NASU
41. The Bible teaches that Christians should
not follow what the crowd dictates
"Do not follow the crowd in doing
wrong. When you give testimony
in a lawsuit, do not pervert
justice by siding with the crowd.”
Ex 23:2 NIV
42. The Bible teaches that it is
wrong to be partial to the
rich or to be personality
oriented in making
decisions!
43. Giving preferred treatment to
rich people is a clear case of
selling one's soul for a piece of
bread.
- Prov 28:21 TLB
44. The Bible teaches that kings should have a
special interest in the Word of God.
Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord
thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt
thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over
thee, which is not thy brother.
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom,
that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that
which is before the priests the Levites:
And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of
his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all
the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
Deut 17:15, 18-20 KJV
45. A BIBLICAL PROMISE...
Those who are honest and fair,
who refuse to profit by fraud,
who stay far away from bribes,
who refuse to listen to those who plot murder,
who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—
these are the ones who will dwell on high.
The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress.
Food will be supplied to them,
and they will have water in abundance.
Isa 33:15-16 NLT
46. THE CHALLENGE
The Christian will ever cooperate with
rulers in securing and promoting peace
and temperance, morality and honesty,
truthfulness and justice. All these virtues
are necessary to national well-being.
Government would be easy if every citizen
was a Christian, and if every Christian
would realize his duties as a citizen.
50. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all
the people able men, such as fear
God, men of truth, hating
covetousness; and place such over
them, to be rulers of thousands, and
rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and
rulers of tens:
Exodus 18:21
51. And let them judge the people at all
seasons: and it shall be, that every
great matter they shall bring unto thee,
but every small matter they shall
judge: so shall it be easier for thyself,
and they shall bear the burden with
thee.
Exodus 18:22
52. If thou shalt do this thing, and God
command thee so, then thou shalt be
able to endure, and all this people
shall also go to their place in peace.
.
Exodus 18:23
53. So Moses hearkened to the voice of
his father in law, and did all that he
had said..
.
Exodus 18:24
54. So Moses hearkened to the voice of
his father in law, and did all that he
had said..
.
Exodus 18:24
55. And Moses chose able men out of all
Israel, and made them heads over the
people, rulers of thousands, rulers of
hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of
tens..
Exodus 18:25
56. And they judged the people at
all seasons: the hard causes
they brought unto Moses, but
every small matter they judged
themselves.
Exodus 18:26 (KJV)
57. Take you wise men, and
understanding, and known
among your tribes, and I will
make them rulers over you.
Deut 1:13
58. And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou
hast spoken is good for us to do.
15 So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and
known, and made them heads over you, captains over
thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains
over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers
among your tribes.
59. And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou
hast spoken is good for us to do.
15 So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and
known, and made them heads over you, captains over
thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains
over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers
among your tribes.
60. Deut 1:13-17
13 Take you wise men, and understanding, and
known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers
over you.
14 And ye answered me, and said, The thing which
thou hast spoken is good for us to do.
15 So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and
known, and made them heads over you, captains over
thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains
over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers
among your tribes.
61. Deut 1:13-17
13 Take you wise men, and understanding, and
known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers
over you.
14 And ye answered me, and said, The thing which
thou hast spoken is good for us to do.
15 So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and
known, and made them heads over you, captains over
thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains
over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers
among your tribes.
62. 16 And I charged your judges at that time, saying,
Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge
righteously between every man and his brother, and
the stranger that is with him.
17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye
shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not
be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's:
and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto
me, and I will hear it.
(KJV)
63. “…Thou shalt provide out of all the
people…” (Exod 18:21).
During Moses’ time, civil servants were
“provided” through appointments. Note that
this was during the time when the law was
not yet given; but already, there was a
method of provision.
GOD HAS ENTRUSTED TO MAN THE CHARGE
TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR OWN LEADERS
64. In our day, the provision of civil servants
comes by election. Our constitution calls it
“suffrage.”
Suffrage is the right and obligation to vote of
qualified citizens in the election of certain
national and local officers of the government
and in the decision of public questions
submitted to the people.
GOD HAS ENTRUSTED TO MAN THE CHARGE
TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR OWN LEADERS
65. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the
people able men, such as fear God, men of
truth, hating covetousness; and place such over
them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of
hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
Exod 18:21 (KJV)
GOD OUTLINED THE CRITERIA FOR
THE SELECTION OF CIVIL SERVANTS
66. Take you wise men, and understanding, and
known among your tribes, and I will make them
rulers over you.
Deut 1:13 (KJV)
GOD OUTLINED THE CRITERIA FOR THE
SELECTION OF CIVIL SERVANTS
67. “…provide out of all people able men…” (Ex
18:21)
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and
made them heads over the people, rulers of
thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties,
and rulers of tens.
And they judged the people at all seasons: the
hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every
small matter they judged themselves.
Ex 18:25-26KJV
1) Men and women who have
leadership abilities
68. When a country is rebellious, it has many
rulers, but a man of understanding and
knowledge maintains order.
-Proverbs 28:2
1) Men and women who have
leadership abilities
69. - They should be people who have proven
themselves able and strong as leaders;
- They should be people who will not be
dependent on people around him/her.
- They should be people who show good
example of leadership.
1) Men and women who have
leadership abilities
70. And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah,
and wrought that which was good and right
and truth before the Lord his God .
- 2 Chron 31:20 KJV
1) Men and women who have
leadership abilities
71. “…such as fear God…” This means
showing a life and practice consistent with
Godly attributes. God is true therefore
he/she should not be dishonest; God is
moral hence he should not be immoral.
God is just; he or she should not be unjust.
God is merciful; therefore he/show should
be forgiving. God is righteous; hence,
he/she should be upright.
2) Men and women who fear
God.
72. You have no security for a man who has no
religious principle” – Richard Cobden
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake
to me, He that ruleth over men must be just,
ruling in the fear of God.
2 Sam 23:3 KJV
“
2) Men and women who fear God.
73. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom : and the knowledge of the holy is
understanding.
Prov 9:10 KJV
2) Men and women who fear God.
74. And wisdom and knowledge shall be the
stability of thy times, and strength of
salvation: the fear of the Lord is his
treasure.
Isa 33:6 KJV
2) Men and women who fear God.
75. “…men of truth…” They should be people
who are truthful in all things.
3) Men and women who stand for truth.
76. But your iniquities have separated between you
and your God, and your sins have hid his face
from you, that he will not hear.
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your
fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies,
your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for
truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they
conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
Isa 59:2-4 KJV
3) Men and women who stand for truth.
77. These are the things that ye shall do; Speak
ye every man the truth to his neighbour;
execute the judgment of truth and peace in
your gates:
And let none of you imagine evil in your
hearts against his neighbour; and love no
false oath: for all these are things that I
hate, saith the Lord.
Zech 8:16-17 KJV
3) Men and women who stand for truth.
78. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;
and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to
do justly , and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God?
Mic 6:8 KJV
3) Men and women who stand for truth.
79. Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve
the oppressed, judge the fatherless,
plead for the widow.
Isa 1:17 KJV
3) Men and women who stand for truth.
80. “…hating covetousness…”
They should be people who do not work for self-
gain and who cannot be bought. They should
be people who can do universal service – the
greatest good for the greatest number.
4) Men and women who are not
motivated by greed.
81. The prince that wanteth understanding is also a
great oppressor: but he that hateth
covetousness shall prolong his days.
Prov 28:16 KJV
4) Men and women who are not
motivated by greed.
82. …for I will stretch out my hand upon the
inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord.
For from the least of them even unto the
greatest of them every one is given to
covetousness; and from the prophet even
unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
Jer 6:12-13 KJV
4) Men and women who are not
motivated by greed.
83. “Take you wise men…” (Deut 1:13)
They should be people who can apply practical
knowledge in public administration.
5) Men and women who are learned and
skillful in governance and administration.
84. Who is wise, and will observe these things, even
they shall understand the
loving-kindness of the Lord.
Ps 107:43
5) Men and women who are learned and
skillful in governance and administration.
85. Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory
in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory
in his might, let not the rich man glory in his
riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the
Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment,
and righteousness, in the earth: for in these
things I delight, saith the Lord. Jer 9:23-24 KJV
.
5) Men and women who are learned and
skillful in governance and administration.
86. “…and understanding…”
They should be people who have
good discernment of times,
situations, and people.
6) Men and women who understand.
87. And of the children of Issachar, which were men
that had understanding of the times, to know
what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were
two hundred; and all their brethren were at their
commandment. - 1 Chron 12:32 KJV
6) Men and women who understand.
88. And wisdom and knowledge shall be
the stability of thy times, and strength
of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his
treasure. - Isa 33:6 KJV
6) Men and women who understand.
89. “And in the morning, Today it will be
stormy, for the sky is red and
overcast.’ You know how to interpret
the appearance of the sky, but you
cannot interpret the
signs of the times?”
Matt 16:3 Life Application Bible
6) Men and women who understand.
90. “…and known among your tribes…”
They should of course, be known; as
being respected and recognized. They
should have been “proven.”
7) Men and women who have earned
respect and recognition and who can
unite all our people in one direction.
91. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able
men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating
covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers
of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties,
and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all
seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they
shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall
judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall
bear the burden with thee.
The Biblical measurement of
performance for civil servants
92. Take you wise men, and understanding, and
known among your tribes, and I will make them
rulers over you. And ye answered me, and said,
The thing which thou hast spoken is good for
us to do. So I took the chief of your tribes, wise
men, and known, and made them heads over
you, captains over thousands, and captains
over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and
captains over tens, and officers among your
tribes.
93. And I charged your judges at that time, saying,
Hear the causes between your brethren, and
judge righteously between every man and his
brother, and the stranger that is with him.
Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but
ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye
shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the
judgment is God's: and the cause that is too
hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.
Deut 1:13-17 (KJV)
94. Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all
thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee,
throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the
people with just judgment.
Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not
respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift
doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the
words of the righteous.
Deut 16:18-19 (KJV)
100. “…Judge righteously between every
man and his brethren, and the
stranger that is with him…”
(Deut 1:13b)
“Thou shalt not wrest judgment…”
(Deut 16:19a)
102. “Ye shall not respect persons in
judgment..”
(Deut 1:17a)
“Thou shalt not respect persons…”
(Deut 16:19)
103. The word persons here does not signify a man
but those things in man which usually conciliate
favor, honor and dignity, or attract hatred,
contempt and disgrace. Such are riches,
wealth, power, elegance of form; on the other,
poverty, necessity, contempt and the like.
105. “…ye shall not be afraid of the face of
man…” (Deut 1:17). Has there been any
“fear of man” in their judgments and
dealings?
Have they taken matters into their own
hands?
“…the cause that is hard for you, bring it
unto me…” (Deut 1:17b)
110. Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil;
that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes,
and prudent in their own sight!
Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and
men of strength to mingle strong drink
Which justify the wicked for reward, and take
away the righteousness of the righteous from
him! Isa 5:20-23
111. Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees,
and that write grievousness which they have
prescribed;
To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to
take away the right from the poor of my people,
that widows may be their prey, and that they may
rob the fatherless! - Isa 10:1-2
112. On January 23, 1996,
When Minister Joe Wright
was asked to open the
new session of the
Kansas Senate,
everyone was expecting
the usual generalities,
but this is what they heard:
Pastor Joe Wright of
Central Christian Church
113. “Heavenly Father, we come before You
today to ask Your forgiveness and seek
Your direction and guidance. We know
Your Word says, “Woe to those who call
evil good,” but that’s exactly what we
have done. We have lost our Spiritual
equilibrium and inverted our values.
114. “We confess that:
- We have ridiculed the absolute
truth of Your Word and called it
pluralism;
- We have worshipped other gods and
called it multiculturalism;
115. - We have endorsed perversion and
called it an alternative lifestyle;
- We have exploited the poor and called
it the lottery;
- We have neglected the needy and
called it self preservation;
116. - We have rewarded laziness and called
it welfare;
- We have killed our unborn and called
it choice;
- We have shot abortionists and called
it justifiable;
117. - We have neglected to discipline our
children and called it building self-
esteem;
- We have abused power and called it
political savvy;
118. - We have coveted our neighbor’s
possessions and called it ambition;
- We have polluted the air with
profanity and pornography and called
it freedom of expression;
- We have ridiculed the time-honored
VALUES of our forefathers and called
it enlightenment.
119. “Search us, O God, and know our
hearts today; Cleanse us from
every sin and set us free…Guide
and bless these men and
women…Grant them Your wisdom to
rule and may their decision direct
us to the center of Your will.”
120. And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah,
and wrought that which was good and right
and truth before the LORD his God.
And in every work that he began in the service
of the house of God, and in the law, and in the
commandments, to seek his God, he did it
with all his heart, and prospered.
2 Chr 31:20-21 (KJV)
Hezekiah’s Choice (King
of Judah 715-686BC)
121. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to
judge thy people, that I may discern between good and
bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked
this thing.
And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing,
and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked
riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies;
but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern
judgment;
Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given
thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was
none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise
like unto thee. - I King 3:9-12 (KJV)
Solomon’s Choice (King of Israel, 10
cent BC)
122. The Bible’s Significance
“It is impossible to
rightly govern the
world without God
and the Bible.”
– George Washington
123. The Bible’s Significance
“The Bible is the cornerstone
of liberty...students' perusal
of the sacred volume will
make us better citizens,
better fathers,
and better husbands.”
- Thomas Jefferson
124. Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory
in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his
might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this, that he
understands and knows Me, that I am the
LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and
righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,"
says the LORD. - Jer 9:23-24 (NKJ)
THE RIGHT CHOICE…
125. Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise
man glory in his wisdom, let not the
mighty man glory in his might, nor let
the rich man glory in his riches.
– Jeremiah 9:23-24
126. But let him who glories glory in this, that
he understands and knows Me, that I
am the LORD, exercising loving-
kindness, judgment, and righteousness in
the earth. For in these I delight," says the
LORD.
– Jeremiah 9:23-24(NKJ)