Doing the Right Thing has Nothing to do With Popular Approval

After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

John 6:14-15

The growing acceptance of the voice of the people as representing the voice of God has become widely received. But the danger to the concept of vox populi being equal to vox dei, or the lack of distinction between the two, has been neglected in the passing of time.

In ancient times, the House of Israel, time and time again, violated God's command to the point that it warranted the division of the kingdom of Israel, the eventual destruction of Israel and the exile of the people of Judah to Babylon.

Even before the time of kings, the Israelites committed actions in violation of the covenant they have made with God. From raising the Golden Calf during Moises' time to the events that led to the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin, the people of Israel has never been a good source of emulation or, much to say, guidance as to what is good and right.

Prophets were sent but beheaded and His servants decapitated, all in the name of a people who were once slaves and in the end, were dragged in chains far away from the land of milk and honey for violating His commands.

As far as righteousness is concerned, there is no such thing as vox populi. It would do all of us well to remember that.