Church and Government when the King is dead
By Rev.Dr. Justine Likuka
Continued from part 1
God will never abort his purposes for a people or a nation. I do believe there is a “Joshua” somewhere in Zambia. To the politicians – all that the Zambian people need is a Joshua don’t give us Achan to lead us. He might have been near Moses or even within the camp of Moses but Achan is not a Joshua.
On another front, Miriam and Aaron were also in the camp of Moses! Miriam is considered the “First Lady” of Exodus.
The Bible doesn’t tell us when God began to use Miriam as a prophetess. The first biblical description of her in this role occurs after God miraculously stopped the pursuing Egyptian army at the Red Sea.
“Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing” (Exodus 15:20).
“I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam” (Micah 6:4).
As part of this powerful family, Miriam was there when Moses, Aaron, Hur and various other family members discussed Israel’s problems, and developed strategies to solve them. As a prophetess and the oldest member of the family, her opinion was valued. She was accustomed to being approached for her advice and was revered as the first lady of Israel. Yet, in spite of her prominence, Miriam, and her brother Aaron, both began to fear their influence was waning. Out of jealousy, they began to gossip about Moses’ marriage to an Ethiopian woman: “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?… Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” (Numbers 12:2).
The Bible records that God heard what Miriam and Aaron said about Moses, and God was not pleased. God knew that it was not so much Moses’ marriage, as Miriam and Aaron’s envy of their younger brother’s authority over them, which underlay their criticism.
Right now, we have a lot of talk about the coming presidential by-elections. We can not be silent about it because the nation needs to vote a Joshua on the 30th October.
This is a great task for the nation. As for Achan – he was with the children of Israel but was not “for” them. Let us be careful of who we think is for us as a nation. Miriam and Aaron did not fear Moses’ reprisal. After all, their brother usually did not defend himself against reproaches. Hadn’t he always listened patiently to the endless complaints of Israel? Miriam and Aaron knew that Moses was long-suffering and humble – perhaps in their judgment, a little too much so.
God, however, did not view what had happened in the same way as Miriam and Aaron.He saw clearly their presumptuous attack, at Miriam’s instigation, against his chosen leader. If they wanted God’s attention, they now fully had it. God commanded: “Come out to the Tent of Meeting, all three of you.” (verse 4).
Jethro also would have been the favorite for Moses – he was wise and always gave counsel to Moses when he was a leader of Israel, but still, God wanted a Joshua. Exodus 18:1 – 3
When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt; Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:From this account, we are able to see that Jethro was not just an elder – but was closely related to Moses.
Not just where these people in the camp of Moses, they were also ‘immediate’ family members of Moses. Very instrumental and helpful to Moses – but God never appointed them for the purposes he had for Israel; they were not the “Joshua” that God intended to lead Israel! Right now – Zambia needs a Joshua for continuity. READ: Isaiah 6:1-13
6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.*
Bible ala …
I’m reading the river between!
Thats a good direction u are trying to give us the electorates. We want the joshua who ll continue and finish the journey of Moses. Joshua was chosen from the line of moses because he had the polices of moses .RB is the joshua of Zambia.
I think RB represents Aaron or Mirriam.Just because he was in the camp doesn’t mean he is Zambias Joshua.I think all this RB hype is just due to the sympathy we feel towards our late president.Why do we consider someone who told us Mwanawasa was stable, a good leader.What has he done for Zambia.Please no sympathy votes.I think MMD has been in power too long.We need fresh blood.Let the vernon mwangas, Katele Kalumbas etc remain in our history books.We need leaders with a vision.
And that Joshua is no other than Michael Sata Pabwato!!!!!!
just tell them to shut up and give sata a chance,ba MMD enough now…
I have following this blog for some time now. i would like to assume that this blog reflects enlightened Zambians( from the fact that at least they can use the internet). I am not saying those who can not use the internet are not enlightened so don’t misquote me. It looks, am afraid that we seem to have an emotional approach to politics in Zambia. There is also a tribal regional aspect to Zambian politics. The world has changed a lot since the 60s. RB might have a degree in Economics, Well and good but is he in tune with the sophisticated Global Village we find ourselves in. Is SATA also in tune. Who among the three RB,SATA,HH can articulate and understand issues in the world of today???
Without any emotions and blind loyalty can people on this blog answer this simple question…i wish our system was like that of the USA where not every jim and jack can choose the president directly. Those who say TONGA this BEMBA this LOZI this etc..let me pose a simple question..lets assume you are admitted to UTH and a doctor comes to attend to you…are you going to ask whether the Doctor is TONGA BEMBA NJANJA LOZI etc or you will trust that he is a competent Doctor who will do his job professionally. Now what makes politics different. SATA,RB,HH are Zambians who can have a role to play in the development of our country…BUT WHO AT PRESENT REPRESENTS THE FUTURE????
nicely written article but how are we going to know who a joshua is among the three presidential candidates who have shown interest in becoming the country’s president? where are the true clergymen to prophecy on this matter? a joshua is not only a young man but someone who will move the country from the problems.
Sadly I don’t think there is a Joshua among the 3 presidential candidates.They are all in it for ego and status.So how are we going to find this Joshua?
Thanks Justine for this well articulated and inspirational articale, I do believe you guys in Zambia have a duty to vote wisely look for the quality of a Jushua to stir the country forward.
God works with wanders,miracle and non in the world understands his plan or his ways. Your plans are not his. God knows the next leader for Zambia and if people use TRICKS to win unlawfully he will wipe them out and make difficulties in their future living. Amen
Beware of people who take on big titles like Rev. and Dr. Those who put their trust in the flesh shall be sorely disappointed. If Justine Likuka understood scripture, he would know that the mixing of politics and religion is known as ‘the abomination that desolates’. Why? Because when a religious movement losses that vital connection with the Creator, it runs to the state to enforce it’s opinion on people. It required the union of state and church to effect the crucifixion of Yeshua bin Nazeret. Likuka, you are treading on dangerous ground. Be ye warned.
#13. Too bad I have come late but reading the article and what you said about Likuka shows how shallow minded you are. In-fact, you are the people who made the church loose its direction. Government and the Church are inseparable in case you did not know punk! All governments are in the hands of God and it is the clergy endowed with the authority to leade and guide a nation. I personally thank God for Pastors who can stand out and give guidance to a nation. God is the King over Zambia. FYI: If Zambia gets a president who does not fear God – that man will face the wrath of God. My dear uninformed and unchristian friends shud understand that the presidency in Zambia is Godly, the seat is HOT!