Lessons from a King

King Alfred was ruler of England during the 9th century, and a remarkably good one at that. While reading a biography on his life I was impressed by the deep desire he had to learn from history and those who had gone before him. As a child his education and especially reading abilities was delayed in light of his royalty; and yet in his old age during his rule he felt strongly the lack of study he had done as a child and very passionately determined to gain knowledge of history as an adult. Below are the ending quotes from his biography by the Bishop of Sherborne on how King Alfred handled the lawmaking and ruling by his Earls and Precepts;

“For he (the King’s earl or prefect) knew, that in the king's presence no part of his wrong would be hidden; and no wonder, for the king was a most acute investigator in passing sentence, as he was in all other things. He inquired into almost all the judgments which were given in his own absence, throughout all his dominion, whether they were just or unjust. If he perceived there was iniquity in those judgments, he summoned the judges, either through his own agency, or through others of his faithful servants, and asked them mildly, why they had judged so unjustly; whether through ignorance or malevolence; i.e., whether for the love or fear of any one, or hatred of others; or also for the desire of money.”

Acute Investigating

How often are passing laws acutely investigated and examined nowadays? Despite the insane numbers of laws passed every year, I believe there is great folly in letting laws be so easily passed without a question. Therefore we should

Inquire

Or at least attempt to watch and be aware of what is being passed. We need a President who will not be content to let things slide as they have for years but keep a close watch on what goes on in our Senate.

Why judged so unjustly

The why of things passed and ruled is very important but is sadly ever brought up. Too often our Senators act as unquestioning leaders who allow those around them to pass the most outrageous laws man could create. Why do our leaders do the things they do? Is it for the love (of fame) or fear (of scrutiny or disapproval) of the people, or hatred (President, Christians, conservatives, homeschoolers, troops, etc.) of others, or the desire of money (power, etc.)? Questions challenging the why are hard to ask when for our leaders, who would much rather turn away and not see the truth about those around them.

“At length, if the judges acknowledged they had given judgment because they knew no better, he discreetly and moderately reproved their inexperience and folly in such terms as these: "I wonder truly at your insolence, that, whereas by God's favour and mine, you have occupied the rank and office of the wise, you have neglected the studies and labours of the wise. Either, therefore, at once give up the discharge of the temporal duties which you hold, or endeavour more zealously to study the lessons of wisdom.’”

Discreetly and moderately reprove

Corrections and reproof, though seldom given in our Senate and Courts, are not meant for humiliation or show of disdain. When corrections are made or authority challenged, I believe our President and those in authority to correct need to be very careful how they choose to communicate their displeasure.

To give up or zealously endeavor

These need to be the two options for those in leadership in our country. There should be no in between, no gray for those who don’t want to work to find the truth or do their research. We need leaders with guts enough to confront and threaten those who repeatedly and without shame fall short of justice and truth.

To study the lessons of wisdom

Proverbs 9:10 says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” Apart from the word of God there is no wisdom, and this is where the folly of our leadership in America begins.

“At these words the earls and prefects would tremble and endeavour to turn all their thoughts to the study of justice, so that, wonderful to say, almost all his earls, prefects, and officers, though unlearned from their cradles, were sedulously bent upon acquiring learning, choosing rather laboriously to acquire the knowledge of a new discipline than to resign their functions; but if any one of them from old age or slowness of talent was unable to make progress in liberal studies, he commanded his son, if he had one, or one of his kinsmen, or, if there was no other person to be had, his own freedman or servant, whom he had some time before advanced to the office of reading, to recite Saxon books before him night and day, whenever he had any leisure, and they lamented with deep sighs, in their inmost hearts, that in their youth they had never attended to such studies; and they blessed the young men of our days, who happily could be instructed in the liberal arts, whilst they execrated their own lot, that they had not learned these things in their youth, and now, when they are old, though wishing to learn them, they are unable.”

To acquire knowledge or resign

When given a clear choice between knowledge or resignation, how many of our Senators or Governors would choose to study with great discipline the truth? Deception is widespread in our nation and I fear the numbers of leaders who would be willing to work for the truth are very few. Personally, the above is a choice I would love to see set before our leaders today.

To study night and day, whenever any leisure

The study and recitation of our fathers and leaders in history is really taken for granted and let to rest in our nation today. If we can’t even teach kids to like to study in our public schools, how far do you think our future leaders will go to find the truth? My guess is their priorities during leisure time will not be near what King Alfred had in mind.

Blessed the young men of our days

The Earls and Prefects centuries ago saw the great setbacks that a delayed or watered down education could cause, and I know they very deeply wanted to impart to our generations the importance of a strong and deep study and knowledge at a young age. Must we put ourselves through the same struggles our fathers went through, when we have the needed tools, abilities, and instruction right here in front of us?

…When they are old, though wishing to learn them, they are unable

Fellow rebelutionaries, I urge you not to take your high school and college educations for granted. It is true that our minds can take in and retain information better than when we are old. In this my last year of High School I have been suddenly hit with the realization that this step in my education is coming to a close, and I find it almost sad (and undoubtedly a little scary) in looking back at all the things that can be learned especially during the special years at home. You will never be this young again, you will never be at this stage in your life again. Whatever you do, don’t settle for what the world expects of you. Fight to learn; foster a desire to grow in knowledge, and maybe someday our country will not suffer the effects of a generation so greatly lacking in a vision to expand in knowledge and understanding of a world so fallen, and a God so just.