A Pharaoh in America
When I read that the approval rating of President Donald Trump had reached an all-time high because
of his handling of the Coronavirus pandemic, I marvelled at the collective
amnesia of the people polled that were convinced of his command of the issue. [The
Sydney Morning Herald]
As I gave it thought,
another historical event came to my mind, at least I think some stories in the
bible are historical and much as they can be revelatory, but this is not the place
to debate it.
In the book of
Exodus, the Israelites had been in Egypt for over four centuries and in the
reign of Pharaoh Ramses II were deployed as slaves in the service of Egypt.
Until Moses, the revolutionary was raised to seek their liberation with the
demonstration of supernatural powers that are documented as plagues.
The delusion of
approval ratings
There were 10 plagues
inflicted on Egypt with increasing devastation until the Pharaoh relented. With
each plague, the chronicler says God hardened the heart of the Pharaoh that he
grew more defiant of Moses and his demands. I have always been puzzled about
the part of the hardening of the Pharaoh’s heart. Then it dawned on me, for
each plague, the Pharaoh would probably have addressed his subjects, given them
resolve, confidence and hope that those plagues would pass. [The Plagues of Egypt –
Wikipedia]
I think Egyptians would
have heard their god-king and been satisfied with how he was handling the nuisance
of Moses. The Pharaoh seeing the reaction of his people which in modern times could
be termed approval ratings. Knowing his people were behind him with no fear of
insurrection or a palace coup, he would have been convinced he could face
whatever Moses had to show and triumph in the end. His approval ratings would
have been at an all-time high.
When the price is too
high
However, the last plague which took the firstborn of all Egyptians could not be overcome with the force of personality, charisma, or inspired leadership. That plague had touched
the core of Egypt that it probably would have inspired a spontaneous revolt.
The Pharaoh had to let the Israelites go and when he chased them to the Red Sea
seeking revenge out of anger and loss, his whole army was lost in the deep.
Now, I do not expect
Americans to lose their firstborn as their Pharaoh personified in Donald Trump
defies scientific advice and damns the consequences of a marauding and
unrelenting Coronavirus that has infected 94,108 and killed 1,434 at the tally
of the 27th of March 2020, but statistics are derived from
individuals who have families, friends and wider connections of influence. [COVID19LIVE.Info]
When it touches you
directly
I can only wonder if
the survivors of the victims have the full knowledge of how Donald Trump
ignored, denied and prevaricated as the impending plague was gathering the force of a tsunami in January that it has now seized upon the whole country would
be giving him accolades and applause for his stewardship of this crisis.
By extension, if any
of those giving Donald Trump high approval ratings are touched by the Coronavirus
either personally or loved ones, would the impending disaster and experience
cause a review of their original position that they would change their mind
about him? I guess the question is what price is too high to pay for loyalty,
confidence, and support of the President of the United States of America before
it moves the needle of approval ratings in another direction?
Yet, I hope no one
has to face the all-consuming grief of losing the firstborn of Egypt to know
the truth, the facts and the handling of the Coronavirus pandemic, not only in America,
but the world over.
