Whoa or Woe

Stop It!

I saw a list of the famous people who have died this year. Among the many people familiar to people of my generation and before was Bob Newhart. One of the comedic bits that he was well known for was that he would play a psychiatrist who would listen intently and patiently to the problems of the patient then would calmly tell them that he had the solution for their problem. Then he would scream, “Stop It!” This week there was a debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. I watched about fifteen or twenty minutes of it until I couldn’t bear it anymore. During the portion that I watched, I wanted to say to both candidates, “Stop it.”

It really isn’t accurate to call the political fiasco that these presidential meetings have become “debates.” They are not debates, where policies and issues are put forward to the voters, but rather a mixture bashing one another and bragging on their perceived or fabricated personal accomplishments. 

Witnessing the depraved nature of modern politics stirs up several genuine emotions. First, it kindles real anger at the selfish and silly behavior of both candidates while so many truly important and consequential issues are at stake. Secondly, it grieves me to see the evil that is being promoted and celebrated (more on this below). Most of all, this display prompts fear. But not fear of the government or societal collapse but rather a holy fear of God. We, as a nation, need to fear God and turn to Him in reverent awe of His holiness and justice, in humble and genuine repentance, while pleading for His merciful kindness, glorious graciousness, and steadfast love to be poured out on our land.

Woe

As I listened to the candidates hurl their insults and spew lies back and forth one text of scripture kept coming to mind. This text was especially clearly demonstrated during the several times that Vice President Harris said that restrictions on abortion were “immoral.” No, Madam Vice President, abortion is immoral! President Trump isn’t much better repeating over and over that abortion should be ok in the cases of the exceptions. But abortion is murder and murder is always immoral.

So what is this Bible text that seems so relevant? Isaiah 5:18-23

18 Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood,
who draw sin as with cart ropes,
19 who say: “Let him be quick,
let him speed his work
that we may see it;
let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near,
and let it come, that we may know it!”
20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and shrewd in their own sight!
22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine,
and valiant men in mixing strong drink,
23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
and deprive the innocent of his right!

I think that the examples in the debate are so obvious and plentiful that I will simply move on to some points from the text. Notice that the first woe is perversity being promoted with lies. That is what is meant by the phrase “draw iniquity with cords of falsehood.” In the debate, it was not just the candidates but even the moderators and media who cared more about their agenda than they did about truth.

But verse twenty is the most obvious part, as evil things (even the murder of unborn infants) are called “healthcare” while restricting these moral atrocities is called “immoral.” Even with all the stage lighting in the world this debate was as black as a moonless midnight sky. While both candidates were hoping to wield words that would be sweet to the ears of voters, the bitter vitriol  was clear for anyone with ears to hear.

Finally, verse twenty one clearly denotes the danger for those full of pride. Unfortunately, our modern political process is dominated not by humble confidence but by arrogant hubris.

Speak Up

So what should we do in light of all this evil and vicious speech? We must instead speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15-16). We must not shrink back (Hebrews 10:32-39) from declaring the truth of the moral instructions given in God’s law and demonstrated by the perfect life of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:19-26). Also, we must continue to proclaim the greatness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The only hope of our country or our world is faith in Jesus Christ! ​

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