William Temple Foundation

Ian Mayer DL is a Trustee of the William Temple Foundation, Deputy Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, a tech entrepreneur and a Public Leadership Ambassador for the Evangelical Alliance. Ian authored this blog in response to the election of Donald Trump as President of the USA.

In an era where political rhetoric often generates more heat than light, ancient wisdom can offer timeless principles for evaluating leadership and civic responsibility. The Book of Amos, written around 760 BC, provides surprisingly relevant insights into what makes good governance and responsible citizenship.

Amos was no typical religious leader of his time. He worked as a shepherd and fruit farmer in Tekoa, a small town about 12 miles south of Jerusalem, around 760-750 BC. He was what we might call today a “regular working person” – not a professional prophet or priest, but someone who worked with his hands for a living.

In a time of political speeches and campaign promises, the ancient shepherd-turned-prophet Amos offers timeless wisdom for evaluating leadership. While he spoke thousands of years ago, his message highlights six crucial principles that remain remarkably relevant for modern voters trying to navigate their way through election season.

These 6 principles cut through partisan rhetoric to focus on what truly matters …

🤲 The Protection of Vulnerable Populations

Amos speaks powerfully about society’s responsibility to protect its most vulnerable members. He criticizes leaders who “trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth” (2:7). This ancient text raises essential questions for modern voters:

• How do proposed policies affect the most vulnerable in our society?
• What safeguards exist to protect those without economic or social power?
• Are there systematic barriers preventing certain groups from participating fully in society?

⚖️ Economic Justice and Fair Markets

Amos condemns those who “practice deceit with false balances” (8:5) and exploit others for economic gain. In today’s terms, this principle asks us to consider:

• How do leaders approach economic fairness and market regulation?
• What is their track record on addressing economic inequality?
• How do they balance business interests with worker protections?

🤝 Consistency Between Words and Actions

Amos particularly criticizes religious and political leaders who maintain a pretence of virtue while acting unethically. This raises important considerations:

• Do leaders demonstrate consistency between their stated values and actual decisions?
• Is there transparency in their decision-making processes?
• How do they respond when their actions are questioned?

📋 Accountability and Responsibility

A central theme in Amos is that leadership carries responsibility and accountability. Amos reminds us that greater authority brings greater scrutiny:

• What mechanisms for accountability do leaders accept and support?
• How do they respond to legitimate criticism?
• What is their track record of admitting and correcting their mistakes?

🔭 Long-term Vision vs. Short-term Gain

Amos warns against sacrificing long-term wellbeing for short-term prosperity. Modern applications include:

• How do leaders balance immediate needs with long-term sustainability?
• What is their approach to intergenerational responsibilities?
• How do they address long-term challenges that may not show immediate results?

📚 The Importance of Informed Citizenship

While Amos speaks primarily to leaders, he also emphasizes the responsibility of citizens to be informed and engaged:

• Stay informed about issues affecting your community
• Look beyond rhetoric to examine actual policies and their effects
• Consider the impact of decisions on all members of society, not just your immediate circle

Finally …

The Book of Amos reminds us that good governance isn’t just about managing resources effectively – it’s about upholding fundamental principles of justice, fairness, and human dignity. While our modern context differs greatly from ancient times, these basic principles remain relevant for evaluating leadership and making informed civic decisions.

As voters, we can use these principles not as a simple checklist, but as a framework for deeper reflection on civic responsibility and leadership quality. The goal isn’t to find perfect leaders – they didn’t exist in Amos’s time and don’t exist in ours – but to thoughtfully evaluate how different approaches to leadership align with these enduring principles of good governance.

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