Concerning Edom: This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed?” – Jeremiah 49:7

Today’s Scripture Reading (June 20, 2020): Jeremiah 49

Don’t read too much into this question, but how do you feel about your political leaders? Okay, it is a loaded question, and I really don’t expect an answer. But I can make a guess. Your answer depends on whether or not the leader matches your political affiliation. For me, it is actually one of the more frustrating realities of life. We don’t seem to be able to evaluate our leaders according to their actions. We just support or reject policies mindlessly, usually based on their and our political stripe, without seriously considering whether or not the plans are worthy of our support. Believe it or not, conservative and liberal politicians, those from the right and the left, are all capable of making wise policy decisions. And both sides also can be total idiots.

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, commands us to “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). It is a controversial piece of advice that many Christians question. Guns have been declared necessary in case there is a reason to overthrow our governments. But there is another pertinent part of the equation. God gives us the leadership that he desires for us to have. In other words, he provides us with the guidance that he feels that we deserve.

So, Jeremiah asks, “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman?” The significance of the question is that Teman was the birthplace of Eliphaz, one of Job’s counselors. In the story of Job, Eliphaz is at least attempting to display wisdom in the tragedy of Job’s life. But Jeremiah asks where that wisdom is now. Wisdom seems to be lacking, even in Teman, the home of Eliphaz.

But on the other side of the coin, Jeremiah is also making an observation. Part of God’s judgment on the nation of Edom was that he has brought to the people foolish and incompetent leadership. And that leadership was leading the country into folly. And the solution was not that they needed better guidance, but that the people would honor God and become worthy of better leadership. If that happens, then, according to Paul, God will provide.

And this is still one way that God disciplines a nation. The answer remains in us. If we have foolish leaders, we need to take a look inside of us and ask, “are we worthy of wise leaders?” We need to evaluate behavior and policies with God’s understanding and with great wisdom. We need to give credit to politicians from all ends of the political spectrum when they do what is right, and we need to show our displeasure when politicians of all political stripes say foolish things. This is part of our wisdom. And above all, we need to live our lives with wisdom, and then, I know that God will grace us with the wise leadership that we deserve.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 50