I Wish All Politicians and Judges Adhered to Rules Like These...

Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.  Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the Words of the righteous.  Deuteronomy, Chapter 16, verses 18-19.

I wish all politicians and judges adhered to rules like these; not that there aren’t some who do.  It would make everything much easier if nothing interfered with the political decisions that are made.
I read a book written by someone who used to work in a prison.  He talked about how some of the prisoners would deliberately make friends with the guards.  Being a guard has to be a thankless job.  I doubt if any of the prisoners say, “Thank you so much, Mr. Guard, for keeping me in here to protect society from me.”  Anyway, some prisoners manipulate guards by planning to have pleasant interactions with them, standing in distinct contrast to the negative ones they usually encounter.
They get to know the guards pretty well, playing on that particular guard’s sympathy.  When the timing is right, the prisoner asks the guard to send a birthday card to his ailing mother, which is against the prison rules.  When the guard does this, there is some kind of rationalization that goes on for the guard to justify his actions to himself, since this is an unethical thing to do.  Once this happens, the prisoner knows he’s got the guard wrapped around his little finger.  He knows that the guard is even more vulnerable to do other things for him in the future.  (Remember I said, not all guards or prisoners do this, but it’s an example of how little things can undermine the clear thinking of those in authority.)
Politicians and judges are just as human.  So are teachers, for that matter.  It’s probably a lot harder for a teacher to flunk a child of a very involved parent who volunteers for room parties and lavishes the teacher with all types of gifts and compliments, on every occasion.  I think that everyone in a position of power or judgment might become vulnerable when there are gifts or favors done.  I think that God had the right idea when He said, For a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.”  That’s definitely something to think about.
Here are some related passages:
*A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.  Proverbs, Chapter 17, verse 23.

*Many will entreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.  Proverbs, Chapter 19, verse 6. 

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie