“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 26:12 (NKJV). Therein lies the weakness of authoritarianism. The maximum leader doesn’t appreciate the honest opinions of others. Therefore, he surrounds himself with echo chambers. Who, tell him exactly what he wants to hear. The only problem with that approach to life is that we were not created with the ability to make wise decisions exclusive of the input of others. Simply because no one knows everything. As we read in scripture, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors, there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV). According to sacred history king David had an adviser in his court whose counsel was so excellent that as long as he lived his wisdom was unequaled.
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give advice as to what we should do.” And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in, to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.” So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in, to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.” 2 Samuel 16:20-23 (NKJV).
Who exactly is advising Mr. Vladimir Putin? I’m sure he has a cabinet but since I have some knowledge of The history of the Russian Czars. It is quite possible that he listens to no one. Furthermore, if anyone dares to advise him emphatically then such an adviser is in danger of either being assassinated or poisoned.
Leading Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny says he believes President Vladimir Putin was responsible for his poisoning. “I assert that Putin is behind this act, I don’t see any other explanation,” he told German news magazine, Der Spiegel, in an interview. Germany, where Mr. Navalny is recovering, says he was poisoned by a Novichok nerve agent. Its findings were confirmed by labs in France and Sweden. The Kremlin denies any involvement. Responding to the interview on Thursday, Mr. Putin’s spokesman said there was no evidence that Mr. Navalny had been poisoned with a nerve agent, and said CIA agents were working with the opposition leader. (BBC NEWS: Alexy Navalny Blames Vladimir Putin For Poisoning Him, 1 October 2020).
“Tsar Nicholas II was unable to rule effectively. He made poor decisions that led to worsening relations with the government and increased hardship for civilians and soldiers alike. Nicholas refused to accept any reduction in the absolute power he held. He was detached from the plight of the Russian people and his policies also alienated ethnic minorities. When the Duma was recalled during World War 1, a group of Octoberists and Kadets established the Progressive Bloc. This group wanted to have more control over the war. In response, in 1915, Nicholas closed the Duma. This alienated many liberals.“ (Bitesize: Russian History, 1881-1921).
Unfortunately for the Russian populace, Mr. Putin’s style of governing is very similar to the manner in which his royal predecessors governed. It’s the same style used by Stalin, Kruschev, and Brezhnev. They all acted like absolute monarchs. At least Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylonia, another totalitarian despot, was counseled by the inspired Daniel. The Pharoah Rameses 11of Egypt was guided by Joseph who possessed the unique gift of deciphering the will of God. The present ruler of Russia seems to be merely stumbling from error to error and from calamity to calamity. As we read in scripture,
“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 28:18 (NKJV)
Also,
“The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 (NKJV)
In other words, anyone who tries to govern without reference to God’s inspired word is merely groping in darkness. Tragically that’s exactly where Mr. Putin finds himself today.
Ukraine’s stiff resistance to invasion and tough new sanctions mean military defeat for Russian President Vladimir Putin — and don’t bode well for markets, according to a top Rabobank strategist. The ruble fell 30% to a record low against the dollar Monday, and global stocks tumbled, as traders assessed the impact of fresh measures imposed on Russia at the weekend. Meanwhile, futures on the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all lost more than 1%, while European stocks slid as well. In recent days, Russia’s military operation has suffered more setbacks than it anticipated from Ukraine’s resistance, while also struggling with problems getting supplies to troops, UK and US officials said. “Vladimir Putin has lost this war — and so have markets,” Rabobank global strategist Michael Every said in a note Monday. (Yahoo Business Insider: Vladimir Putin Has Lost This War by Hamza Fareed Malik, Monday, February 28, 2022).
History is replete with examples of rulers who failed to take the good counsel of others. One such famous exemplar from sacred history is Absalom, who rebelled against his own father king David. When Ahitophel saw that his good counsel was rejected by the royal court he quietly left, went home, and committed suicide. Because he foresaw the catastrophe that would result from the rejection of his good counsel. “Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order and hanged himself, and died, and he was buried in his father’s tomb.” 2 Samuel 17:23 (NKJV). King David’s tall, handsome, extremely ambitious, and grandiose son was not blessed with wisdom. In fact, he was a stupid fool. Because providence never distributes all of its essential gifts to any one person.
“Then Absalom met the servants of David. Absalom rode on a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great terebinth tree, and his head caught in the terebinth; so he was left hanging between heaven and earth. And the mule which was under him went on. Now a certain man saw it and told Joab, and said, “I just saw Absalom hanging in a terebinth tree!”Then Joab said, “I cannot linger with you.” … And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart, while he was still alive in the midst of the terebinth tree. And ten young men who bore Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom and struck and killed him.” 2 Samuel 18: 9, 14 (NKJV).
This Prince of Israel was planning great things for himself. He wanted to sit upon David’s throne and reign over the kingdom which his father would rule for forty years. But that was not God’s plan. Nor did he even bother to consult with The Lord Almighty while he mused upon his cherished ambitions. Instead of realizing the fulfillment of his dreams, he ended up at the bottom of a very deep pit. “They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest, and piled up a large heap of rocks over him.” 2 Samuel 18:17. (NKJV). I have no idea which spirit was guiding prince Absolom. However, that spirit led him to a place in the forest where his long flowing hair would become entangled in the branches of a gigantic Oaken tree. His own mule abandoned him. Leaving him helplessly suspended in mid-air. A sitting duck for his most powerful enemy, the wicked, treacherous, merciless, and murderous general Joab. The commander of Israel’s army. Certain events are mathematically poetic. We reap what we sow. “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.” Isaiah 3:10-11 (NKJV).
The Russian president was counseled against his present course of action by prestigious, distinguished, and famous people. Namely the presidents of France, China, and the United States. The German Chancellor also gave him the same good advice. To desist from his present endeavors. Instead of listening to his friends he stiffened his neck and chose instead to be obstinate. I don’t claim to know the future but based upon the past events of history, calamity awaits Mr. Vladimir Putin. Not only is his cherished war already going contrary to plan. But one of his own compatriots, a Russian Oligarch has placed a bounty on his life.
A Russian entrepreneur has put a $1 million bounty on Vladimir Putin, following the Russian president’s decision to invade Ukraine last week In a LinkedIn post that has since been taken down, entrepreneur Alex Konanykhim posted a photo of Putin and the words “Wanted: Dead or alive. Vladimir Putin for mass murder,” according to The Jerusalem Post. “I promise to pay $1,000,000 to the officer(s) who, complying with their constitutional duty, arrest(s) Putin as a war criminal under Russian and international laws,” wrote Konanykhin on LinkedIn, according to The Jerusalem Post. “Putin is not the Russian president, as he came to power as the result of a special operation of blowing up apartment buildings in Russia, then violated the [Russian] Constitution by eliminating free elections and murdering his opponents.” (FORTUNE: International-Ukraine Invasion, Russian Businessman Offers a $1 Million Bounty For Vladimir Putin’s Arrest by Amiah Taylor, March 4, 2022).
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