Man over God

I used the title “Man over God” for today’s column as a way of introducing to you how many nations, even “the Chosen nation of God,” messed up by deciding to have a monarchy or a king to lead the nation. I don’t know how pre-colonial Filipinos did it, but today we choose leaders through elections.

The Israelites did not originally have a monarchy or king. Instead of a monarchy or democracy, they had a “theocracy,” where God was literally in their midst, made his will and his presence known through chosen leaders and prophets. In spite of the Theocracy, men had free will and their behavior generally decided their fate.

After several generations, the Israelites or their leaders decided that other nations had a better life and political set-up. Things were decided quickly by monarchs, rules were more human and practical and there was a system of ascendancy to the throne.

So, they decided to make their case against the aging prophet Samuel, accused his sons of being disobedient to the rules and demanded that Samuel “appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” (1 Samuel 8:5)

This situation, sadly, is not unique to the Israelites. Many people and nations who experience abuse, corruption, violence or famine eventually look to other people’s experience and systems. Kings act faster and have a more human context than prophets or church leaders.

In Samuel 8:7-9, God, in spite of the existing theocracy, respected free will and said:

“Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

“As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.”

What follows next in 1 Samuel 8:11-20 is a warning that has taken many forms and in many kingdoms, democracies and churches. It is a warning that we should all take to heart before we regret who we voted for and how we made those choices.

“This is what the king who will reign over you will do; he will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots.

“Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.

“He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants.

“Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and your donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

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As part of our civic responsibility and in obedience to the law of the land, those of voting age are supposed to exercise and perform their duty to vote. Some do it with honor and pride, believing only those who vote have the right to demand, expect or criticize those in public office.

Others vote simply in compliance with the law, while a great majority do so in return for the one to 5,000 reasons called legal tender. After that, it becomes illegal tender. Then there are those who maintain that only taxpayers and legal property owners should have the right to vote.

In the many decades that I have voted on election day, this year’s election is one when I have the least motivation to do so. Like many voters who made an effort to study, choose and prepare a list, I honestly could not make it beyond six names.

I am not being morally or politically judgmental, but anyone who sets down the bare minimum requirement by law and expectation will also be hard pressed. If we say don’t vote for those with criminal records, who have been accused or suspected of corruption multiple times, 10, maybe 20 percent on the list would fall off.

If we say don’t vote for those with political dynasties, those who switch places with spouse or child every nine or 12 years, those who belong to families that have three generations of politicians, half of today’s candidates would be disqualified.

It just occurred to me that the only job opening where “No Experience” is required would be in politics. As a result, most of the people running for public office, especially second or third generation candidates, have no real job in real life experience!

If you happen to be one of the millions of Filipinos who’ve listened to the lie of the devil not to vote for someone good but does not stand a chance of winning, you effectively gave away your vote to the corrupt for free. Not voting for Mr. Right makes you the doorman for Mr. Wrong.

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