Mistake of the Nation Addressed

2 Chronicles 23:3b

The king's son shall reign, as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David.

‘Even as I speak, there are those who have gathered in a room, whispering to each other, dissecting each word I utter, looking for any pretext to attack me with tomorrow.’ These were the seemingly prophetic words of President Aquino in his SONA last Monday. And true enough.  Next day’s news were flooding with complaints and negativism towards him.  As if such debasing words could better encourage the leader to move forward.  Sure, he may have highlighted the good points and concealed some stats, but would we rather have him say we’re still 50% in sinking sand? Shouldn’t we give him credit at least for rating us with 50% more survival chance?

In this light, I’d say it was wise for Jehoiada to keep all intel about the rightful heir Joash to his trusted few. For as much as he would want to excite Judah with the hope of impeaching the usurper Athaliah, given the complaining history of God’s chosen people, he may have struck the rock twice as Moses did.  He’d probably hear them say, ‘How can a mere boy save us?’ or ‘Is your coup-plan foolproof?’ or ‘Who are you to lead us?’ He was able to avoid such unnecessary pressures by focusing his efforts to ‘what needs to be done’. For six years, he quietly worked behind the scenes meeting with key people and perfecting the plan.  Note that even before Joash was publicly presented, the people were already hopeful. It was because the young king was not Jehoiada’s answer to Judah’s suffering.  As high priest upholding the Word, the security he gave them was, ‘As the Lord promised’.

It may be because it was PNoy who’s giving those promises that’s why many are SONA-doubtful. For like us, parents and called-leaders, he too is imperfect and with limited powers to follow through his commitments, even if he sincerely wants to. Read this: no one can! So can’t we at least be patient and supportive? Instead of protest rallies, can’t we just pray together and hope again? Judah gathered in Jerusalem as they always do during Sabbath. They were clueless that that was God’s appointed day to fulfill His promise. And because they sided with Jehoiada’s faith, they too shared his joys. May we also be found beside our leaders waiting for that beautiful time of answered prayers. It’d be great if we’re together in saying that God’s miracle is more fun in the Philippines :>

A Few Good Men

1 Kings 16:2

I lifted you up from the dust and made you leader of my people Israel, but you walked in the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to provoke me to anger by their sins.

I can’t believe I did not watch ‘A Few Good Men’ nineteen years ago! It is one of the better courtroom dramas with a great cast too. The story revolves around the trial of two U.S. Marines charged with the murder of a fellow marine, which turned out to be an extrajudicial punishment ordered by the colonel on top. Cruise’s character here as defense lawyer tried to highlight the fact that his clients were just following orders. Marines believe that ‘You follow orders or people die’, especially crucial in wartime. But given the victim’s physically unfit condition, it would have been morally right to neglect the code. Thus the verdict ‘guilty of conduct unbecoming of a U.S. Marine’. But with Jack Nicholson’s difficult and  intimidating character, who’d dare say No? And with the high risk of punishment and staking their military careers for it, it’d be a dare to say No.

The closing of chapter 15 tells us of Baasha destroying all that breathed in the line of Jeroboam. That’s how he got the throne. It was an intimidating first impression. I picture him like a barbaric villain in periodic movies: proud, foul, and loud.  And if the royal house wasn’t able to protect itself from this man, who’d be safe then? When he talks, who’d dare speak up? When he walks, who’d dare not step aside, if not bow? It follows then that when he worshipped false gods, he expected all his subjects to join him. No exceptions. Now if you’re a common, family man, you wouldn’t want to get his attention by doing otherwise. But of course, you have a choice. Jehu took that risk. He was bold like his father Hanani who dared rebuke Asa for his alliance with Syria and was imprisoned for it. The word of the Lord came to them and they went to speak truth to these kings, not fearing for their lives. Their faith is on the One who rules all men, kings and commoners alike. They dared break the chain of command because they saw the highest command violated. They feared God rather than man.

Trending  worldwide on Twitter yesterday was PNoy’s second State of the Nation address.  First minutes of his speech were focused on his trademark fight against ‘Wangwang’ mentality. Tagged from the anti-siren policy for higher officials, he extends it to corruption in general, down to the private sectors. In light of our reading today, agree with me that corruption happens because those under them (that’s us) chose to step aside and be silent while they pass by?  Our secretary in Windsong is one rare jewel. She’d take time to confront a traffic officer or report a tricycle driver to their TODA when her judgments tell her they crossed a line. I mean why bother? Why can’t she be like everybody else who’d just raise an eyebrow, blurt a disgust on the system, and go on with their lives? Or, how about this: why can’t we be like her? Colonels and kings, government officials and company bosses, parents and teachers - - these highly esteemed people on position will demand our allegiance and compliance, and they have the right to do so. But when God’s moral standards are being compromised, we have a higher order from God to choose otherwise. Prerequisite for this is to know His will and be guided by His word. His ways are not always for us to face those giants with a sling. Sometimes, it’s just to stand our ground, refuse to bow down, and to keep the faith even if God may choose not to rescue us from the fiery furnace. Our one NO vote may not be enough to win a fight today, but God’s justice will sure come in time.  There may be a few good men to date, but do still sign in. In the end, God will sure win this case.  

The Good Son

1 Samuel 22:3

“David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, ‘Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?’”

Today marks EDSA People Revolution’s 25^th year - - the Filipino people’s triumph over the more than two decades of Marcos’ rule, half of which under Martial Law. God sovereignty orchestrated that this silver celebration will be presided by no less than the only son of EDSA’s iconic heroes  - - President Noynoy Aquino III. Putting aside all politics and showbiz, isn’t it just heartwarming to see a son pay tribute to his unquestionably, deserving parents? Holding the highest office in the land, the world expects him to do so, although I’m sure he’d count it more as a privilege than a responsibility.

More running for his life than for public office, David knew his status greatly affects his family. His good popularity gained them enough media exposures, and it’s now to their disadvantage that their son was considered an outlaw. David took it upon himself to take responsibility of their safety. He could have entrusted their keeping to his older brothers. They sure were above him in the home. But neither did he give his full hands and bigger burdens as excuses. No one expects him to do so, but he counted it his responsibility. And with his unquestionable character, I’m sure his good heart took it as a privilege. Minding not just their covering but convenience as well, David brought them to their great grandmother’s hometown, Moab. That’s more than enough to call him a good son. But he pushed further.  He spoke to no less than the king of Moab himself for their life’s certainty.

1 Timothy 5:4 says we should put religion into practice by caring for our own family and so repaying our parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.  ‘Utang na Loob’ then is more than a Filipino tradition. It is God commanded. We honor them not just in words, but in kind. It will cost us - - time, resource, energy - - but didn’t they love us first? Others may argue ‘deservability’, but is it found in the verse? Many will remember and pay respect to Senator Ninoy and President Cory today, for they did a lot for this country. But who do you expect to mind your parents today? Take time. They may not hear it if we wait twenty-five more years.