Journey to ResolveResolution 6: Stand for God's Government

 

This intro is a disclaimer: I recognize there is significant dissatisfaction with governments across the globe. It is not uncommon for citizens to distrust and even despise certain government officials and government organizations. I don’t intend to discredit our varied opinions, positions, beliefs, value systems, or ideologies. I also am not writing to promote one political position over another, or even to promote a political position at all. However, I do intend to share, at least in part, a biblical perspective on God’s involvement in government and how we should respond in light of it.

Resolution #6: I Will Stand for God’s Government

Our 20:25 verse in this resolution brings us to 2 Samuel. (Remember, I am walking through every 20:25 verse in the Bible, and a few 20:24 verses since I started this last year.) 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel were originally written as one book. The same is true for 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles. These books were so long, early scribes couldn’t fit them into single scrolls. 1 Samuel includes the rise and fall of King Saul, Israel’s first king. It also covers the rise to power of David, Saul’s successor. In 1 Samuel, we learn about the friendship between David and Saul’s son Jonathan, which we explored in Resolution 5. You may recall David’s longstanding promise to him. It was a covenant promise to always show kindness to Jonathan’s family which included King Saul, Jonathan, and all other family members. David never lost sight of this promise and thus took in the last member of Jonathan’s family, Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son. In 2 Samuel, we see the death of Saul and Jonathan. David responded with a song of lament that he taught to the citizens of Judah. Then he was anointed King of Judah and eventually King of Israel.

These details matter. They cover events that demonstrate David’s commitment to God’s government. For example, he honored King Saul, despite the fact that Saul didn't follow God and David himself would replace him as King. Presented with opportune moments to kill Saul and take the throne, David didn’t do so because he knew that God anointed Saul as King. It wasn’t about whether Saul followed God or even how well he did as a king. It was because Saul was assigned by God to be King. God chooses our leaders today, too. Even those who don’t suit us very well. Even those we are inclined to oppose.

**** Click to tweet ****

God chooses our leaders today.
Even those who don't suit us very well.
Even those we are inclined to oppose.

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As King, David moved the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem which became the political and religious center of Israel. This is also where His son Solomon built a magnificent temple for God. God promised that David’s throne would be established forever (which is a foreshadowing of our King Jesus), but David disrupted his covenant relationship with God by having an affair with Bathsheba and murdering her husband. This contributed to his downfall which devastated Israel as a nation. It didn’t affect God’s involvement in Israel’s government, but God’s government began to look different. It wasn’t as amenable after David’s sin and the sins of many others we can read about in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.

There was civil unrest and uprising, and David’s kingdom was divided. In chapter 19 we find David weeping at the death of his son Absalom who actually turned against him and attempted to forcefully take the kingship for himself. Opposition to the throne persisted. Influential men took sides.

In all of this unrest, we hone in on a story that illustrates today’s resolution: I will stand for God’s government. Despite the unrest, Israel’s government was still established by God. Here are a few lessons from chapter 20 that are definitely applicable for us today.

1. When we oppose God’s design, we can expect to be thwarted

Some men didn't like King David. As I wrote above, David’s own son Absalom turned against him and God (2 Samuel19), and in 2 Samuel 20 we see two more men who stood against God’s government: Sheba and Amasa.

Sheba was from the tribe of Benjamin. You might recall our discussion of the Benjamites who stood in support of it’s own men who molested and raped a Levite’s concubine (Resolution 4). This led to civil war. Civil unrest became quite common within Israel. Some time later, Sheba stepped forward in an effort to turn Israel against its king. He was gaining ground so David commissioned Amasa to gather the troops of Judah after which they would all appear before David in no more than 3 days time. But they didn’t show up and time was of the essence.

Both Sheba and Amasa opposed God’s design so things didn’t go well for them. David sent his soldiers to end their threats to God’s design. Sheba fled, but Amasa was killed by the dagger of a friend and soldier named Joab (2 Samuel 20:8-10). God halted Amasa’s sinful efforts. Sheba’s demise was next.

Let us not oppose our government and authorities. In so doing, we would oppose God.

2. Clarity of purpose helps us support God’s government

After killing Amasa, Joab and his troops set out to pursue and execute Sheba. They caught up to him as he took refuge behind the walls of Abel Beth Maakah. They built a ramp that gave them ready access to batter down a fortification wall. But a woman struck a deal with Joab, assuring him that her city was peaceful and in support of Israel. So, Sheba’s head was delivered to Joab and Joab and his army returned home (2 Samuel 20:13-22).

Why would Joab negotiate with this stranger? He had the resources to take the city and find Sheba himself. The simple answer: Executing Sheba was the goal. Taking the city was not. Joab served God and raiding a city that honored Israel was not a favorable option. Joab understood that God ultimately managed the government of this peaceful city. He was clear on his purpose.

Our passions can mislead us because they derive from areas in our hearts that move us. May we allow God’s truth to provide clarity as our emotions, values, and motivations percolate within us.

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Passions can mislead.
They move us.
May we allow God’s truth to provide clarity
as emotions, values, and motivations
percolate within us.

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3. When we stand for God’s government, we support every position

2 Samuel 20 ends with a list of names and positions where we find our 20:25 verse for this resolution.

Joab was over Israel’s entire army;
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites;
Adoniram was in charge of forced labor;
Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder;
Sheva was secretary;
Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.

2 Samuel 20:23-26

This list of some of the key members of the military, labor, administration, and priests is not trivial. They may not matter to us, but they did to David and others at that time and place, and they mattered to God who, behind the scenes, orchestrated their appointments to office and service. They were members of God’s government.

What and who are some government entities, officials, or representatives we need to support and not oppose? The short answer is all of them, but are there specific government organizations or government officials and employees that we may have marginalized or opposed? When we oppose them, we oppose God’s government.

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This dramatic story illustrates some basic principles of God’sgovernment and our responsibility to support it. God designed our government. He also requested we be subject to our governing authorities because they were and will continue to be established by God. And let's remember that God is in full control of all governments in this world, past, present, and future. We should humbly and honestly support what God has established.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,
for there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority
is rebelling against what God has instituted,
and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right,
but for those who do wrong.
Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?
Then do what is right and you will be commended.

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.

But if you do wrong, be afraid,
for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.
They are God’s servants,
agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities,
not only because of possible punishment
but also as a matter of conscience.

This is also why you pay taxes,
for the authorities are God’s servants,
who give their full time to governing.

Give to everyone what you owe them:
If you owe taxes, pay taxes;
if revenue, then revenue;
if respect, then respect;
if honor, then honor.

Romans 13:1-7

9 more resolutions to come...

The resolutions and Bible books in this series:

I will…

1. Worship God Alone (Exodus 20:24)

2. Be More Holy (Leviticus 20:24)

3. Aim High (Numbers 20:24)

4. Trust in God’s Strength (Judges 20:25)

5. Nurture Quality Friendships (1 Samuel 20:25)

6. Stand for God’s Government (2 Samuel 20:25) - this post

7. Follow God Through Highs and Lows (1 Kings 20:25)

8. Let God Win My Battles (2 Chronicles 20:25)

9. Rise Above the Naysayers (Job 20:25)

10. Trust God’s Ways (Proverbs 20:25)

11. Allow God to Correct Me (Ezekiel 20:25)

12. Serve Others Without the Glory (Matthew 20:25)

13. Rely On the Wisdom of God (Luke 20:25)

14. Trust the Words of My Savior (John 20:25)

15. Complete the Work God Has for Me (Acts 20:25)

 

If you want to dialog more about God's government, feel free to leave a comment or email me at authordlv@att.net. God is sovereign and retains full authority in this world - in every country and municipality.

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