CALLING OUT A PRIME MINISTER
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a challenge to his leadership after reports of a series of parties he or his staff hosted during strict COVID-19 lockdown rules. While Britons followed rules to not gather with more than one person outside their household—voluntarily being cut off from family and friends—Johnson and his guests were drinking, dancing, and partying until all hours. The night before Queen Elizabeth’s husband’s funeral, a party at the prime minister’s residence went until midnight. The next day, the queen sat alone at the funeral, obeying the social distancing rules. Many reported Johnson’s string of rule-breaking gatherings, and calls for Johnson’s firing increased rapidly.

CALLING OUT A KING
Though God had given King David the throne and great wealth and power, David nevertheless sinned with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, killed. Though his sin remained a secret from most in his kingdom, it was not hidden from the eyes of the Lord. God sent the prophet Nathan to David with a brilliant parable that showed David the horrible evil of his crime … and cut him to the quick. David repented, and God relented in some of His punishment, but both Uriah and Bathsheba’s son died because of David’s actions. Nathan’s courage in obeying God to call out a king saved David and the kingdom from greater consequences.

Questions

•  How does it make you feel when a leader violates restrictions that you yourself have obeyed?
• Our society loves to cast down leaders for their injustices, real or imagined. How can you tell the difference between true injustice and lesser trespasses like poor judgment, etc.?
• What do you think was going through Nathan’s mind when he approached his friend and king to tell him God’s judgment?