Being a leader is not an easy task. It is a form of trust given to a person, with the expectation that the person can use his/her leadership to truly take responsibility for the people he/she leads and move them towards a common goal. Therefore, being a leader is not about getting all the rights and privileges, but about doing the best for the people you lead.

This is also the focus of our reading this time. A king in the past was known to have absolute power, but not before the Lord of the Universe. The teachings of wisdom place a leader/king within the boundaries of what he should do and his responsibility towards those he leads. The quality of King that is to be raised this time is a leader who favours the weak. A king who judges the weak justly, because the “strong” can usually buy the king's influence and decisions.

Who are the weak? According to Israelite tradition, those who are seen as weak are the oppressed groups such as the poor, widows, orphans, or those who do not have power. Justice and favouring the weak should be the foundation of power. There is no place for the wicked in such a government (Job 16). The righteous will soon see their downfall.

The above situation seems to be the desire of us, the people of Indonesia. Leaders who actually issue policies in the frame of siding with the weak and oppressed, not merely submitting to foreign investors or financiers. In addition, the most important message for all of us is to strive for justice in everything. Whether we are leaders or not. Justice is a glimmer of divine wisdom that we can strive for in life based on His guidance.