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What does the Bible say about governments of men?
Question- What Does the Bible Say about governments of men?
Answer- In Daniel 4:17 we read that God “so that all the living will know that the Highest rules and works in the kingdoms of men, and give it to whomsoever He will and sets up over them the basest of men.” This statement is repeated in vs. 24,25, 32 and 34. God is in charge of who rules over all nations. Why some are allowed to rule and others are not, is something that God only knows it is one of His “secret things” (Deut. 29:29). God, in Daniel 4 is telling the ruler of Babylon that it is God who reigns, and He wants the great arrogant Babylonians to know that God was in charge, not them. All rulers today would do well to learn the same. On Romans 11:33-36, we read that God’s ways are past fining out. The reason for this is that he is omniscient and we are mortal. In Isaiah 55:9 the comparison is made that God’s ways are” … higher than the earth and His thoughts are higher than human thoughts.” Whether or not we ever understand all of what does, we can rest assured that “as for God, His ways are perfect and His word is proven…” Psalm 145:17 says further, “the Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy are His works.”
As to our submission to governments Romans 13:1-7 we read- “Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power save it be of God, the powers that be are ordained of God. Whoever resists the powers resists the ordinance of God and those who resist shall receive damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works but to evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good and you will have praise from the same. For he is a minister of God to you for good. But if you evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain, for he is a minister of God a revenger to execute wrath on those who do evil. Therefore, you must be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay you tribute also for they are God’s ministers, attending continually to this very thing. Render to all men their due, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”
Our job as a good citizen is to live righteously for “righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any society” (Prov. 14:34). We are to be subject to the laws of men (even paying taxes) and we are to submit to the government we are under and to pray for every ruler (local, state and national, in the case of Americans) (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
From Romans 13, we read that the job of government is to defend the righteous and to be a fear to the evil-doer. Rulers of men are to support every good principle of God and to punish and stand opposed to every wrong action. The Christian is to always realize that no man or government has the right to ask of its’ citizens that which is ungodly and sinful. The Christian is not bound to obey anything they are told to do that is not right in God’s sight. Governments that seek to rule outside the boundaries of God, will be dealt with by God. It is He who renders vengeance and He sees every way of man, and will hold every ruler accountable for the way they rule. By living righteously, a Christian becomes the best asset of any nation, in that righteousness exalts a nation.
