Leaders With No Understanding

Reading:  Isaiah 56
My Verse:   "The dogs have a mighty appetite;
                         they never have enough.
                     But they are shepherds who have no understanding;
                         they have all turned to their own way,
                         each to his own gain, one and all (Isaiah 56:11).

What a reproach on the leaders who choose to use their positions for their own gain!  You, LORD God, place leaders into positions of authority (Romans 13:1),  and sadly many turn from You and become ravenous in pursuit of their own wants and desires.   They become leaders without any understanding.

"Dogs" and "shepherds" here refers to leaders who have lost their way.  Sadly, we see this far too much today.  The political campaigns we see today reflect this.  People have become angry and distrustful of their leaders, so much so that they start to go after questionable characters who make wild, grand promises and behave with total disregard for respect and honor of You, LORD God.  Our presidential election has become strident and crass.  The use of "dogs' to describe some of them seems apt.

This verse is such a contrast to the opening verses of this chapter.

"Thus says the LORD:
     Keep justice, and do righteousness,
     for soon my salvation will come,
     and my righteousness be revealed.

Blessed is the man who does this,
     and the son of man who holds it fast . . . " (Isaiah 56:1,2).

Cutting You out of our lives leaves us with no foundational footing, without understanding of what is really going on.  Those who do this are skimming the surface of life; they live for and believe only what they see with their eyes.  They live shallow lives, denying the spiritual realm.  You, LORD God are spirit (John 4:24). And only You, LORD God provide true understanding.

"There is no wisdom, no insight, 
     no plan that can succeed against the LORD" (Proverbs 21:30 ESV).

"And so since they did not see fit to acknowledge God,
     God gave them over to a base and condemned mind 
        to do things not proper . . .
     Until they were filled with every kind of unrighteousness, 
        iniquity, grasping and covetous greed, and malice . . .
     Full of envy, jealousy . . . strife. . .
     Slanderers . . . full of insolence, arrogance, boasting . . .
     . . . without understanding . . ." (Romans 1:28 - 31 AMPBIBLE).

Really like what Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the minister of Westminster Abby in London for some 30 years says of those who deny You, LORD God.

"We, alone, as Christians, understand what is wrong with the world.  We see powers and principalities, the rulers of the darkness of this world, behind the visible and seen phenomena, and we see perplexed politicians trying to deal with the problems, and failing.  We know they must fail because they do not see what is at the back of it all.  We see it as the conflict between heaven and hell."

If one desires wisdom, it is to You we must look and seek!

"For the LORD gives wisdom;
     from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
     He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
     Guarding the paths of justice
     and watching over the way of his saints.

Then you will understand righteousness and justice
     and equity, every good path;
     for wisdom will come into your heart,
     and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
     discretion will watch over you,
     understanding will guard you . . ."Proverbs 2: 6-11).

Thank you for this LORD God.  Help me today to pray for our leaders. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!