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THE GOD OF WICKED LEADERS

by Kyle Asmus on February 19, 2019

In light of celebrating President’s Day this week, Michael wrote a blog interacting with the question, “What do we do with Presidents we dislike?” You can read it here. It was helpful and thoughtful in its explanation that all rulers are established by God’s sovereign hand.

The blog got me thinking though.

Why would God raise up wicked leaders? It’s one thing to say that God establishes all worldly leadership. It’s a much deeper mine to descend into to figure out why God does what he does.

To be clear, I’m thinking of leaders who actually perpetuate evil. A few years ago, people were trying to convince the country that Obama was the Kenyan-born anti-Christ. Even now, it’s not uncommon to hear arguments that liken Trump to a Nazi. People with this type of rhetoric can keep screaming at one another at the kid’s tables; I want to consider the leaders who torture, kill, and champion tyrannical regimes. Why would God empower them with civil leadership?

I see at least 3 answers in Scripture.

1. God’s Power Proclaimed
Consider Pharaoh. He was a megalomaniac king who orchestrated slavery and ordered infanticide. He had one mission: extermination of the Israelites. In short, he was pure evil. Why would God raise up Pharaoh to kill His own people?

The apostle Paul, in dealing with this question, writes in Romans 9:17, “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

The story of Yahweh’s triumph over Pharaoh has been known, discussed, and written about since the day it happened. The Exodus event had one singular purpose: to display God’s power. When we look at evil leaders we ought to mourn and pray for deliverance. But we can take heart knowing that in the end, God will have the final word.

2. God’s People Purified
It’s important to remember when Paul and Peter wrote about submitting to government (Rom 13; 1 Pet 2), they were writing about the governments that would eventually kill them. When the New Testament speaks into persecution, it is almost always about civil persecution—from both religious and state leaders. And yet, persecution is never seen as a bad thing. On the contrary, it is celebrated in every book of the New Testament. Why? Because suffering unites us with Christ (Rom 8:17). Suffering sanctifies us (Jas 1: 2-4). Suffering solidifies the church's’ witness (Col 1: 24). When Christians suffer at the hands of tyrants, true believers find deep rest in the sovereignty of God, and Christ is glorified.

Richard Wurmbrand was imprisoned for decades in a Soviet prison on account of his faith. In his book Tortured for Christ he details the underground church and her sufferings. But never does Wurmbrand regret it. In fact, this is what he writes, “I have found truly jubilant Christians only in the Bible, in the Underground Church and in prison.”

Evil leaders give Christians two options: run towards the Gospel or run away from it. God’s purpose is that we’d be purified in it.

3. Our Longings Stirred
We must always remember we live in two kingdoms, and these kingdoms are diametrically opposed to one another. When God establishes wicked rulers, it ought to awaken our longings for the day when Christ will return and establish His eternal kingdom forever. It should lead us to pray with Paul, “Come, Lord Jesus!” When we hear, read about, or experience terrible dictators we can look forward to the day when God’s rule will be marked by perfect justice and perfect peace (Ps 9:7; Is 16:5; Ps 2: 1-4).

Certainly, this is easier said than done. But God’s promises are good, and in the midst of evil rulers, God’s promises are all we have.

I know people want clear answers about the intersection of God’s sovereignty and human evil. I wish I had them for you. There is peace in the mystery though. There is a sweet freedom in letting go and submitting to God’s sovereign plan. After all, as God says in Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Is 55: 8-9