How Can God Command We be Subjected to Government Rulers? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

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When we consider the story of Sennacherib above, we must remember that God had placed even this King in place. The Northern tribe of Israel had made an alliance with Syria to attack Judah. This God allowed only because of the treacherously evil acts of King Ahaz. But with so much evil surrounding the world; how can God Command We be Subjected to Government Rulers? We, who are His children can not surely be expected to bow to the authorities when they are evil? But let us look a little further into this. Even Sennacherib was lead to believe he was in control. Thus He never humbled himself before God. Remember, some pagan kings did humble themselves before God. Such as the King of Nineveh and Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon after God humbled his heart.

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Proverbs 21:1 NASB

Yet, if that is the case, why not make them all good? Ah, but then they would all be AI robots. God is Sovereign. Free Will is real as well. Even if my finite human brain can not fully understand the mystery of God, He IS the Great I AM. My part is to trust His Word by faith in His Salvation purchased by His Son, Jesus Christ. So, for a moment let’s look a little deeper into the story of Sennacherib and Hezekiah. But to understand this, let us look at King Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

An Evil King and God’s Sovereignty

Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father: For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. Wherefore the Lord his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. 2Chronicles 28:1-6 KJV

Ah, but even then, King Ahaz looked for worldly help not God.

And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord your God? Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you. Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war, And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the Lord already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel. So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation. And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria. At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him. 2 Chronicles 28: 10-16 KJV

Therefore, It is reasonable God Command We Be Subject To Government Rulers

How? Why? Because He is just and righteousness. He will make it right. His timing. Only He sees the Beginning and the End. We can trust He is good, even when we do not see it all.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen….Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear…. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:1,3,6 KJV

Never forget, “He is God, I am not.” He the Creator of the Universe, reached out to me to save me. Not for any merit or effort of my own. Therefore, all I must do is trust Him with all my heart, mind and soul. He will reveal the rest one day when I shall see Him.

So, Back to Our Story of King Ahaz and then King Hezekiah

God sent Isaiah to King Ahaz, who failed to repent. Isaiah prophecied to Him of King Jesus one day being on the throne.

Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7: 13-14 KJV

Then Ahab died and his son, Hezekiah reigned. Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of God. So, when Senecherib thought he could invade Israel, he discovered God was in control. Hezekiah only had to pray and trust God.

Throughout the Old Testament Scripture, we find that to be the case. Therefore, we can also believe that God reigns supreme in all the earth. He can command we be subject to Government Authority, as He rules Supreme.

Look At Daniel

Daniel and His 3 friends were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Yet they found a way to never compromise God’s commands and remain subject to the government rulers. Even willing to face what should have been a death sentence calmly and courageously if necessary.

He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter. Daniel 2:15-23 KJV

We can be subject to government rulers because we can trust God to guide us with wisdom. He will give us the answer when rulers blatantly go against God’s rules. Sometimes that may mean our death. Or perhaps our stance for God with humility, grace, and obedience to the law. If at the same time we never compromise the truth of God may transform the rulers heart.

That is Why Paul Could Go On to say:

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Romans 13: 3-7 KJV

Even the worst of rulers maintain some kind of order in their countries. This is better than utter chaos where everyone does his own laws. That would be even harder to navigate. At least with rules, we know where we stand. Paul was able to call upon the rulers to judge him as a Roman Citizen. Otherwise, the mobs would have killed him, were it not for the roman soldiers to protect him. Ultimately no one knows how many Roman Guards were led to Jesus Christ as Paul subjected to Government Rulers. Although later beheaded for his faith, Paul remained an example of what the Holy Spirit led him to write here.

Then we have Peter:

Imprisoned for the gospel. Standing firm. Not rioting or going against authority, rather being subject to Government rulers. That is except, he never stopped preaching the gospel solely because they forbid him to. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our speech and give us the wisdom we need. This is what Peter wrote:

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil but use it as bond-servants of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. 2:Peter 2: 13-17 NASB

Paul Reminding Pastors concerning being subjected to Government Rulers

This was after his first imprisonment in Rome.

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people. For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are useless and worthless Titus 3:1-9 NASB

Jesus Christ humbled Himself and willingly died on a Roman cross. He humbled Himself to be subject to government rulers and to complete the task given Him by the Father. Taking all the wrath, we deserved upon His human flesh that we might be saved for eternity. He was the example for us.

How Can God Command We be Subject to Government Rulers?

He is the Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end. God, Almighty who created the heavens and the earth. We can only tremble with joy when we realize His majesty, His Glory and His honor. Let’s conclude with Psalm 2.

Why are the nations restless

And the peoples plotting in vain?

The kings of the earth take their stand

And the rulers conspire together

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

“Let’s tear their shackles apart

And throw their ropes away from us!”

He who sits in the heavens laughs,

The Lord scoffs at them.

Then He will speak to them in His anger

And terrify them in His fury, saying,

“But as for Me, I have installed My King

Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

“I will announce the decree of the Lord:

He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,

Today I have fathered You.

Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance,

And the ends of the earth as Your possession.

You shall break them with a rod of iron,

You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

Now then, you kings, use insight;

Let yourselves be instructed, you judges of the earth.

Serve the Lord with reverence

And rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way,

For His wrath may be kindled quickly.

How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! Psalm 2 (NASB)

So let us each Serve the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. He has given us the power and wisdom to be able to remain subject to government rulers while being the salt and light of this world. Only in His strength and power as the Holy Spirit leads us.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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12 Ways Our Cheerful Heart Can Respond to God for Amazing Blessings

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Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

¹ J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

English Standard Version (ESV)