"I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected." With that short statement General William T. Sherman cut off all discussion of his standing for election as U.S. president in 1884. America has a history of electing war heroes to that office, beginning with George Washington and including Sherman’s boss Ulysses S. Grant. Famous for his march across the South that helped end the Civil War, Sherman had no intention of following the path to more power and prestige, and was clear and unequivocal in his declaration. A habit we would like to see today’s political leaders develop.

America isn't the first country to place war leaders in positions of power. In fact the history of the world is dominated by that practice. Most famous, and not so famous, rulers came to power as military leaders; primarily because of the need to defend their people against attackers, but sometimes to conquer. Most Roman rulers, including Julius Caesar, earned their power risking their lives in battle. After surviving so many battles Caesar must have been shocked when he was murdered by a bunch of politicians in a meeting.

The Biblical book of Judges is filled with accounts of Israelites rising up to defeat and drive off oppressing nations and becoming the leader of Israel for the rest of his life. One glaring exception was Gideon. A reluctant warrior, visions of glory were not dancing in his head. God had to persuade him to lead and as soon as it was over he rejected their call to rule with a Shermanesque statement. “I will not rule over you, neither will my son rule over you: Jehovah will rule over you” (Jud 8:23). Gideon was never in it for his own power and glorification; complying with and relying on God instead. Perhaps we should call Sherman’s statement a Gideonesque statement!