Kristafal's Musings

“It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, because a throne is established on righteousness” (Prov. 16:12; NASB).

The purpose of the chief governor of the land is to promote righteousness, to be a symbol of goodness, to lead the people under his authority and power in a way that promotes holiness.

Is this a false statement or a true one? If it is true, then does it not shine greater meaning on Paul’s statement given in his epistle to the Romans (cf. Rom. 13:1-7)? If it is false, then it would seem that men have the right to behave–to rule, to govern–however they deem fit as these words are archaic, remnants of a bygone era in human history. No longer applicable. No longer worth the paper that their writing is printed upon.

“But we do not have kings today. They are a thing of the past. So then, this passage has no real world application today!” comes the self-assured skeptic.

Kings are a relic of history. But what was the purpose of a king? Was not a king established to govern the people of the kingdom; or nation? Some kingdoms were small like city-states, and we see this expression of power in the land of Canaan. Some kingdoms were larger and contained many cities, large amounts of land. And this too we see in the historic record of the Bible. The king of Egypt, the king of Babylon, the king of Persia and the Medes, the king of Israel (and Judah and Samaria when they were divided after Solomon) serve as examples of this. A king was a governor, regardless of the size of his kingdom (i.e., domain). He was the ruler of a city or a large nation. Therefore there is a parallel, or a comparable scale, to which we might apply this to modern governing individuals or bodies.

Meaning what? That the proverb still has value. That once again we see that the timelessness of God’s Word is again verified. For a president, a governor, a mayor, a superintendent, a judge, whoever or whatever the type of leadership is being described (parent, pastor, teacher, coach, etc.), whether great or small, in whatever form of institution they are delegated to serve in where their authority and power is to be recognized and submitted to by those under them are required by God–their Creator–to live righteously, rejecting wickedness, because their position is established on righteousness as a firm foundation. They are tasked with the responsibility to do what is good, uphold it, and stand against evil punishing it in whatever capacity that their position of leadership allows them to.

"Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God... For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil" (Rom. 13:1, 3-4).

What is the “it” that Paul is referencing? The “it” is in reference to any position of authority that falls under the jurisdiction of Almighty God; which is, everything since all creation is His. This is why Paul sums up his position in terms of how the subjects under authority are to act towards those who have been established leaders. He says,

"Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor" (Rom. 13.7).

All authorities are to be listened and submitted to, unless and if they are wicked masters, and then they are to only be disobeyed in that area where they deviate from the path of righteousness upon which they are to be founded. Where they speak goodness and truth, they are to be obeyed even if they are evil. Thus, we can in good conscience submit to tyrants if and when the tyrant does or commands that which falls within the parameters of godly living. There are sufficient evidences from Scripture that this is in fact the truth.

And in closing you might ask, “Why share this? What’s the point?” The answer is simple. Because I wanted to as it is a good reminder for those who know such things, and a lesson for those who do not.