Marvin Wilson spells out ten stories in the Bible of bribery. They relate to Balak (Num 22:7),* Delilah (Judg. 16:5), Samuel's sons (1 Sam. 8:3), King Asa (1 Kings 15:19), King Ahaz (2 Kings 16:8), Shemaiah (Neh. 6:10-13), chief priests (Matt. 28:11-15), Judas (Matt. 26:14-15), and Felix (Acts 24:26). In addition to these stories, Micah especially addressed bribery to the powers that be (the rulers) and their practice of bribery (along with similar activity of the priests and prophets, too!) in Micah 3:11). This widespread corruption of leaders is lifted up by Robert Linthicum in CITY OF GOD, CITY OF SATAN with commentary on Ezekial 22 (page 60-22)
Bribery subverted justice (Exod. 23:8, Deut. 16:19). It is not practiced by the Lord! (Deut. 10:17). Neither did Samuel nor Job take a bribe (1 Sam 12:3, Job 6:22) The bribe is a "magic stone" for the briber which turn over other stones Prov 17:8). Today the bribe in the United States is more likely concealed, an even deeper perversion of justice (Prov. 17:23). In fact the wrath erupting by citizens over the corporation poisoning of our environment comes even stronger when the bribes are concealed! (Prov 21:14).
In Dayton, the bribe of up to $26 million by WMX was called a "host fee" or an "investment" when it was really a concealed bribe. The legislatures acquit the briber (Isaiah 5:23) by legally allowing gifts and hirings and fees which the Bible knows all about! (Judg 16:5, Neh 6:12, Num 22:7).** One can note the tremendous wrath and anger felt by Dayton citizens for the WMX concealed bribe (Prov. 17:23, 21:14) and the blinded (1 Sam 12:3) council's decision for WMX desire in exchange for the bribe (Micah 3:11).
Isaiah said that "everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts" (Is. 1:23) That may be the basic love of money (1 Timothy 6:10) that is corrupting most Americans. If the citizens continue to be "expectant capitalists" (a term used by historians of the expectancy or riches in our nation) and allow bribery, our nation may become totally corrupted beyond saving. Linthicum writes of this battle between God and Satan taking place in our cities and Satan winning. Whether we like the language of the Bible or of evil or of corruption, many Americans believe that corruption is rampant and that corporations are the major culprits. In our corporate culture where the actual rulers are corporations and the people are becoming serfs (says the Program on Corporation folks). Actually citizens are recognizing the problem. In fact, 79% of the citizenry want to see the governments "set standards for responsible behavior including avoiding layoffs, paying good wages, keeping jobs in the United States, and ob4eying environmental laws." They believe that "companies meeting these standards should benefit from a lower corporate tax rate than companies who do not meet these standards."*** If one recognizes all political contributions as forms of bribery, concealed by their legality, then we know that our house must be cleaned up. The place to start is with the worst which INFACT recognized this year is Waste Management!
Richard L. Righter
*Marvin R. Wilson, "Prophets and Green Palms: Bribery in biblical perspective," CHRISTIANITY TODAY, January 18, 1974, p. 13-19.
**For a helpful article on the fine line between gifts and bribes, see Michael L. Goldberg, "The Story of the Moral: Gifts or Bribes in Deuteronomy?," INTERPRETATION, January 1984, 15-25. The Program on Corporation movement is urging legislation to make corporate gifts and contribution illegal. For information on the program, write to PROGRAM ON CORPORATIONS, LAW AND DEMOCRACY, PO Box 806, Cambridge, MA 02140.
***Ethel Klein:EDK Assoc. and Guy Molyneux:Peter D. Hart Research, "Corporate Irresponsibility: There Ought to be Some Laws, A Study of the Political and Policy Implications of Public Attitudes Toward Corporate America," July 29, 1996, p. 42 (Available free from EDK Assoc, 235 West 48th St, New York, NY 10036)