Tyrant, Like Trees, Will Topple

How do we cultivate patience and persistence beyond a single news cycle and election cycle? What will help us remember that leaders who are corrupt and bent on power, sometimes even guilty of crimes big and small — are not here to stay? That shift does happen and consequences matter - eventually? Beyond our need for instant changes, the old book reminds us that change sometimes takes time but that lousy leaders, like trees, will also topple. Psalm 37 includes many protests and theological questions, as well as the conviction that overtime - even wicked leaders will be replaced:

רָ֭אִיתִי רָשָׁ֣ע עָרִ֑יץ וּ֝מִתְעָרֶ֗ה כְּאֶזְרָ֥ח רַעֲנָֽן׃

I saw a wicked tyrant, powerful, well-rooted like a robust native tree.

וַֽ֭יַּעֲבֹר וְהִנֵּ֣ה אֵינֶ֑נּוּ וָ֝אֲבַקְשֵׁ֗הוּ וְלֹ֣א נִמְצָֽא׃

Suddenly that leader vanished and was gone;I sought them, but they were not to be found.

שְׁמׇר־תָּ֭ם וּרְאֵ֣ה יָשָׁ֑ר כִּֽי־אַחֲרִ֖ית לְאִ֣ישׁ שָׁלֽוֹם׃

Mark the blameless, note the upright, for there is a future for the person of integrity.

Ps. 37:35-37

It’s hard to keep it hopeful but let’s take our cue from the Psalms, 2,500 years ago and still persistent: Everything changes, including leadership that is not prioritizing the people’s needs above power driven agendas that do more to divide us than to nourish our deep needs. There is a future for integrity. Patience and persistence on the path to peace.

Let’s hope so. And keep at it.

Thank you for joining me below the bible belt. Shabbat Shalom.