The Kenyan Crisis-Learning from Solomon’s Wisdom
Jubilee Centre January 8th, 2008
The incident in 1 Kings Chapter 3 of two prostitutes living in the same house who each had a baby three days apart reveals to us the insight of human behavior when faced with various situations. The story states that one of boy babies died during the night and his mother exchanged the dead child for the living child. In the morning when the other woman discovered that the dead son was not hers, the guilty mother refused to admit her wrong doing. Unable to settle their dispute they appeared before King Solomon, each claiming the living infant was hers.
The king’s verdict was that the baby be cut in two and be shared. As he had anticipated, the woman who was the owner of the baby was filled with compassion and offered that the other woman get the baby, rather than have it killed. However the woman who was not the owner of the baby argued that the child be killed. Solomon was able to see that the woman who wanted the child killed had no emotional attachment to the baby that was alive. The king wisely ordered that the baby be given to the owner.
This story is similar to what is happening in Kenya currently. Two leaders are each claiming that they won the presidential election. Meanwhile, as the two leaders do their shadow boxing of who won, over 250,000 people have been misplaced and three hundred people have died. Unfortunately, the situation in Kenya is the order of most African countries. Our leaders tend to fight for power without concern for the innocent children and mothers who suffer most from such civil violence. What is sad also is that in such situations our leaders overlook the wisdom that is in their own countries preferring mediators from the international community. Regrettably our courts that are supposed to act as wise administrators of justice are usually packed with judges who are allies with the system.
Kenya has been independent for almost half a century. It is sad that it still does not have officials that can be trusted to serve the people of Kenya impartially when faced with such a difficult decision. Equally sad is that Kenya has failed to apply the existing law to decide the winner of the election. Most devastating is the fact the two Kenyan leaders cannot see eye to eye unless under the presence of international mediators. God forbid that Africa with the fastest growing population of Christians fails to raise leaders with wise administration of justice. God forbid that Africa has political leaders who cannot talk to one another on the affairs of their nation. God forbid that we raise children in our nations who will treat people on the basis of their tribe and not character. Pray for the peace and prosperity of Africa.
Lawrence Temfwe
Lawrence, Thank you for this article. Very helpful and I found your example of the story of the two mothers in the Bible very true to the situation in Kenya. Thank you for sharing your insight and perspective. I pray for you often.
The happening in Kenya is a sad story read about. The solution is there, but who should take the bold dicision to bring about the situation back to normal. If the institution set by people themselves through the constitution can not be trusted it is high time AU move in to restore peace. Do not waite and leave things to these people the so called leaders. SADC member state should be proactive even if Kanya is not a member of the region grouping to send an assistance in terms of policing, a force which will not take sides. SADC has a rapid intervation force, what are you doing? You do not need to get permission if your friend’s house is on fire to go and save lives which are trapped inside the house. This is the same situation in Kenya. Please we are tired of seeing gruesome images on TVs on the happenings in Kenya. Just once african leaders do something to save the situation in kenya.
Amen to all the prayers for Africa. I believe God has heard them all and they are now starting to unfold. There is a generation in Africa that will see Africa develop by the power of God through Jesus Christ. All you write is true, every one in Zambia/Africa must support and see the nations change. I believe unless we train up a generation we will keep on seeing the same problems.
God bless you and all that you are doing.
Happy