Politics and Integrity among Selected Old Testament Prophets and its Implications for Christian Leaders in Nigeria Political Space

Abstract

This work discusses politics and integrity among some Old Testament prophets and how such understanding can affect Christian leaders in the Nigerian political space. Prophets were mouthpieces of God, who carried out God's message to the people and the nation of Israel and other surrounding nations. While some got involved in politics, some stick to their primary assignments. In present-day Nigeria, church leaders, particularly Church leaders, are seen to be the model of prophets of old. Using the historical-critical and exegetical methods of research, the work analysed the prophets and an attempt is also made to compare these Old Testament prophets who got involved in politics but kept their integrity with the present Church leaders in the political arena in Nigeria to see if they are keeping to their integrity or not. In the course of this research, it is pertinent to say that many Church leaders who are involved in politics lost their integrity as they become corrupt through looting public funds, power-drunk through abuse of office, or morally corrupt. There is, therefore, a need for present-day Church leaders to learn from the prophets in the Old Testament who kept to their integrity in order will promote peace, justice, and righteousness which will help a great deal in solving the problems facing the nation.