Following Legitimate Authority

Interesting commentary on civil govenment by Press. See also Constructive Action.

Consider the characteristics of legitimate authority.

All authority is derived from God (Rom. 13:1-2), who has absolute authority and power (Ps. 24:1). Obedience to authorities in every realm of life is based upon this reality and rebellion against legitimate authority is equated to rebellion against God (1 Peter 2:13).

However, lesser authorities (e.g., family, church and state), do not possess absolute power, are given a limited jurisdiction by God, are instructed to rule according to His law, and commanded represent the authority of God in a proper manner. In the case of the civil governent, God's word is clear, He has granted authority in two realms (Rom. 13:3-4). First, to encourage and protect those who are doing "good" as defined in the Word of God. Secondly, they are to "execute wrath" by justly punishing those who do evil. The Word of God also determines punishable evil. When civil authority either oversteps its bounds or perverts the law of God, it has stepped outside of the will of God and is held accountable for such action. In addition, God also holds the people who accept this illegitimate authority accountable.

Consider the following.

Hosea 5:10 The princes of Judah have become like those who move a boundary; On them I will pour out My wrath like water. 11 Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, Because he was determined to follow [man’s] command.

The princes of Judah dared to remove the ancient land-marks, God’s law, and trampled upon the distinctions between good and evil, the most sacred obligations that they were required to uphold. The princes were humanists, taking upon themselves absolute power and God declares that He will pour His wrath out upon them. He also has a quarrel with the people of Ephraim because they followed the laws of humanists (Jerobaom and the succeeding kings of Israel).

Why were the people chastised when David numbered Israel (2 Samuel 24)? Why was Achan's family executed along with him? Consider the case of King Manasseh who polluted the temple of God (2 Kings 21). Again, why does God judge the people as well as the king? Was it not because they failed to resist this impiety and restrain the ruler within his God-appointed bounds?

On the otherhand, God prospered those who stood with Him against those authorities who stepped beyond His will. Rahab is a common example who resisted tyranny of her day and hid the spies of Israel accourding to the will of God (James 2:25). Zipporah took upon herself the authority of the church and circumcised her son while rebuking her husband, Moses (Ex 4:25). Rebakah rebelled against her husband recognizing that Esau had been rejected by God (Rom. 9:10-13). Daniel consciously disobeyed the command of the king by praying openly to God (Dan. 6:10). God stirred Ehud to deceive and kill Eglon, king of Moab, and deliver Israel from tyranny (Judges 3). Moses stood against the authority of Pharoh by demanding the release of Israel (Ex. 5:1). Many more examples could be given of the disciples, who chose to obey the Great Commission and were executed.

Hence, God teaches not only that His creatures are responsible for recognizing the limitations He has placed on them, but also for refusing to go beyond those bounds, lest God be forced to destroy them along with their wicked rulers.

"Resistance to tyranny is service to God" James Madison

Posted by tim at April 12, 2004 10:06 PM

Articles Related to Commentary: