How Shall I Vote? What the Bible Says
If you’re like me, you have been troubled over the impending presidential election. Though past cycles have yielded some less-than-ideal candidates, this time around our alternatives appear, well, apocalyptic. While there was one candidate I never personally considered a viable option, the idea of voting for that candidate’s main opponent has not exactly brought me a great deal of comfort. After months of contemplating many peoples’ opinions on the topic, I finally decided to go to the Scriptures to see if they could provide me with any guidance about how I might cast my ballot in righteousness.
When it comes to making choices, there is no better way than to receive direct instructions from God. For example, it was by way of the uriym and tumiym—the “lights and perfections”—embedded in the high priest’s breastplate, that Israel knew when they were to “go out, and… come in” (Exodus 28:30, Numbers 27:21, cf. 1 Samuel 28:6). Wouldn’t that be a nice way to go?
Then, of course, there is Gideon’s fleece. When he was faced with an important choice, he actually tested God, such that “if [so-and-so happens], then I have known that You[, God, will] do… as You have spoken” (Judges 6:36-40). But laying out a fleece doesn’t seem applicable here.
There is also Acts 1:23-26, which records how the emissaries cast lots for Judas’ replacement among the Twelve. Maybe that’s not such a bad idea: just flip a coin and believe for a divine result! After all, they were inquiring of God, “You, Adonai, who are knowing the heart of all, show us which one of these two you chose” (mjlt). But can we faithfully apply this passage to our present circumstances? Is the choice between two godly, righteous disciples equivalent to choosing between two… um… (how do I put this?) two… other kinds of… people?
After pondering these things for a while, I think I finally settled on 1 Samuel (Sh’muel) 8:4-19 as the passage that best informs me concerning the presidential election. During a critical moment in Israel’s development, the elders of Israel approached Sh’muel and said to him,
“Now, appoint to us a king, to judge us, like all the Goyim [nations].” And the thing is evil in the eyes of Sh’muel… and Sh’muel prayed to Adonai. And Adonai said to Sh’muel, “Listen to the voice of the people, to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but it is Me they have rejected, from reigning over them….” And Sh’muel spoke all the words of Adonai to the people who are asking from him a king, and says, “This is the custom of the king who reigns over you: he takes your sons… And he takes your daughters… And your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive-yards—the best—he takes… and you are to him for slaves. And you have cried out in that day because of the king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and Adonai does not answer you in that day.” And the people refuse to listen to the voice of Sh’muel, and say, “No, but a king is who we want over us….”
In asking for a king—even a king that they knew would oppress and enslave them, as it was in Egypt—Israel disavowed everything that made them exceptional, sought the ways of the worldly nations around them, and rejected the good God as their one, true King…
…and God told Sh’muel to give them what they deserve.
My brother, my sister, our nation has so increasingly rejected God that, in far too many ways, it makes little difference who becomes our next president—God will give us the king (and country) we deserve, and we will “cry out in that day because of the king whom [we] have chosen for ourselves.” Our future lies not in the half-hearted support of a presidential candidate, but in our daily commitment to offer a full-throated endorsement of the Messiah.
My plan, then, for the upcoming election is to pray: to pray for the candidates, and for the electorate; to pray for God’s mercy… and for a miracle. I’m also going to pray that my voting choice is both godly and righteous; and that God will give me peace over it, regardless of the consequences.
We may cast our votes for president, but let us first choose our King Yeshua—who saves us from what we deserve.
What do you think? Share your thoughts below.
I think you are right. We need to choose God first and pray for guidance for the right candidate.
I agree with the article, and in light of that, Trump is the only candidate that I can vote for and maintain a good and clear conscience.
This is very unlike a Kevin Geoffrey piece in that it’s rather middle of the road. While people will default to saying they will pray and just let the chips fall where they may, there is too much at stake. Future Supreme Court nominations, Federal judge appointments, national defense, Booming national debt and Israel are some of the many reasons we cannot have a Hillary Presidency. Hillary will continue our downward slide into socialism, a system that makes no place for God. We may want Filet or Sushi but the choices are hamburgers and hot dogs. Donald Trump, for all his brashness is far unlike the high corruption and lies of the Clinton’s.
Frank, thanks for your comments! I would also add abortion to that list, among other issues, but my study of the Scriptures led me to consider a different angle on the whole matter.
I did not conclude that we should be blasé, nor that we should ignore the issues, or the character and actions of the candidates, but only that we as a country have been given the candidates we deserve. Regardless of how we vote (or don’t vote) individually, there will be an outcome that we will ALL have to live with, and we will collectively get what we have asked for. Therefore, as we cast our ballots, we should pray that we are doing so in righteousness, that we will have peace with our decision, and that God will be merciful in HIS appointment for us (Romans 13:1, 1Timothy 2:1-2).
I think it is so sad that in this election above all others your comment rings so much truth,
“While there was one candidate I never personally considered a viable option, the idea of voting for that candidate’s main opponent has not exactly brought me a great deal of comfort”
It will be a sad day when we step into the voter’s box this year. I whole heartedly agree with your article. Much truth there. Thank you for your honest thoughts.
Kevin, I agree with you. I have spent hours asking our heavenly Father which path to take. Vote for the lesser of the two evils, or vote at all? I have been in the study of 1 Peter which speaks to submission and obedience. It is a privilege to vote. I will cast my ballot. I will also trust in God, who already knows all our tomorrows. If it brings the judgement I think it will, I will again put my trust in God and pray to be His example in my daily life-or in my death. Blessings to you!
You have spoken the truth with eloquence Kevin. Yeshua first, pray for wisdom second, vote our conscience third, and we’ll receive the leader our nation deserves, whether it’s as a blessing or as judgement. God have mercy.
Kevin. Thank you for your thoughts. It should not surprise us that this nation is facing a great downfall. It must happen soon because of the fact that the United States has turned aside from God, and God will not be mocked. I am so grateful that the whole mess is in His Hands. Be not deceived, God will not be mocked for whatever a man (nation) sows, that will he also reap. Galatians 6:7
Kevin – thanks for the thought-provoking exhortation.
The founding and development of our nation may have been influenced by biblical principles, but it was never intended to be a theocracy. “In God we trust” on our currency is a nice motto, leaving the the greater question, which God? I appreciate the freedom (for the time being!) to live a biblical lifestyle in the domain under which I have been given authority: my home, family, and congregation, regardless of what has been defined as “legal.” I do not expect any American political candidate or issue to live up to God’s standard of righteousness, and therefore neither would my vote.
That being said, I vote my conscience in the primaries, and then vote for the best outcome in the final election. My ultimate hope is in the return of Messiah and God’s mercy, grace and love for all of mankind. May we live each day as light to the world around us.
Thank you, Kevin, for your exhortation! With all the voices clamoring for our attention, it is critical we who claim to follow Him keep G-D’s Word in FRONT of our eyes and ears and hearts, whatever the cost–not just ALONGSIDE those voices. Many of us know what it was like to use only OUR best thinking in life, & it was not pretty. I have prayed long and voted early. I know G-D hears and answers; let’s continue to live with Him, trusting Him more than possibly ever, and prepare ourselves and act accordingly.
Always our savior first we have to choose and then let him guide us in what we do in our voting process. Hillary clinton murdered our Bengazi Ambassador Stevens and 3 others. She killed them as if she had the gun in her hand and did it herself. All the others that have died by crossing her or not being on her side. She supports gays and the horrible horrible sin of Killing our young in their most protected place. No I do not like Trump either but at least he has not murdered Americans that we know off. I have lived in my home Country for 3/4 of a century and it breaks my heart the way we have abused God who gave us this wonderful country. I really do not think any person is going to help us but God and he told us if we did certain wrongs then we would seal our fate unless we came back to the Lord. That is not going to happen unless they try to come back by fear and that is not going to work either. This country needs to get on its face to God and ask for forgiveness.When they took God and Prayer out of the schools where was the ones that call them selves Christians. Same when abortion came in. I was a young mother at that time but still no one would listen. All one heard was had to think about the health of the mother. I am sorry if the mother commits murder so should she loose her life. A Child is such a tiny victim to sacrifice to self. I have been trying to get folks to listen since all t his come down but they will not listen. God is not in most churchs but all the sins are in them. God forgive us. Yes we will get what we deserve in the way of a leader. And those who voted for death to the babies and all the moral wrongs. Will be doing the most screaming and I will tell them shut your mouth you have no right to complain. Like I said before God help us.