God Gave Government Part 2.

In this entry it may seem as if I am skipping around a little too much, but I believe if you read all the way through, God’s word will show you the truth. I use much scripture because these scriptures speak to the truth of how a government (a Holy government) should be. I believe our disconnect from God is the root of the present condition of our government. It is broken, detached from the nation and accommodating to only a select few.

Now all though the law of Moses may not hold final word, I believe his law established the difficult truth that we ALL MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT WE DO. To totally disobey the law of Moses is to go in opposition of the word of Jesus himself.

Mat 5:17 "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.

Jesus enlightened us in scripture, I believe we just choose to close our eyes to His words or misconstrue their meaning, but it is clear what the Savior means in the following passage.

Luke 16:16-17 "Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in. But that doesn't mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God's law to be overturned.

The NASB version says:

Luke 16:17 "But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail.

The Greek word FAIL means to FALL DOWN.

I can not agree to the law of Moses being totally negated. Jesus gave the proper position acquired by Moses. To Moses the law was given and Moses will be the one to accuse you says Jesus our Lord and Savior.

John 5:44-45 No wonder you can't believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don't care about the honor that comes from the One who alone is God. "Yet it isn't I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes.

I state all this to say that God gives a clear picture to His idea of what Government should be. As I stated in my last entry (God Not Government) I understand that we can not drag our children to the gates of our apartment complexes and stone them to death for their misbehavior. But as a whole in general the ideas of how and what type of people should govern our nation is clear.

King David is a perfect example of a nation’s leader. He was, repentant, caring and fair. He was not perfect but always returned to the Father for forgiveness. No one is perfect and all fall short of the glory, that is to be expected, also to be expected is to turn to the Creator for His forgiveness and mercy.

There are many characteristics that a leader should hold and there are some that should go without say. How someone could ask another to do that which he himself has never done is characteristic of a coward. Jesus did all the Father showed and did and in turn asked nothing more than the same of us. David falls in suit. There was a season when a king was to fight in battle himself, side by side with his troops. I want you to understand this was nothing out of the ordinary, this was the way of Kingship. Now although the following passage states David did not do so, that is not the point why I make use of the scripture. King David ruled for quiet some time and I am sure he joined his troops in battle during that certain season more than once. I show the scripture to confirm my point that such a season for kings did exist.

2Samuel 11:1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.

So I present the question, how eager would a President be to declare War if he himself had to be present in actual battle for a certain period of time during war? At the end of March of 2008, which indicated the 5 year mark of our presence in Iraq, the count of those US Soldiers which made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives was over 4,000. If knowing he had to be in combat himself, would the President of these United States so willingly declare War? I say this not to draw attention to the president but more to his position. David had proved himself countless times and was loved by his troops. David experienced war himself, he knew what he was asking of his troops and asked nothing of them he would not do himself.

1Samuel 18:13 Finally, Saul sent him away and appointed him commander over 1,000 men, and David faithfully led his troops into battle.

1Samauel 18:16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he was so successful at leading his troops into battle.

David was loyal to his people, he was loved by the people, he was trusted by the people but in particular his people look to him for truth, confidence and leadership. David’s reputation spoke for itself.

2Sa 5:1-3 Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, "We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the LORD told you, 'You will be the shepherd of My people Israel. You will be Israel's leader.'" So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the LORD with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.

Truly elected by the people, for the people and David did not let his people down. When he fell short of that glory he ran to God for comfort, wisdom and reproach.
Even while David was under the leadership of King Saul he was already making a name for himself, God was working in him and David worked for the people. Let me say that again. God worked in David and David work for the people.

Power of the People

Let us not ignore the power of many voices that shout one expression. Good and great deeds do not go unrewarded. In 1 Samuel 14:24 King Saul says: "Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening—before I have full revenge on my enemies." Jonathan, King Saul’s son did not hear of this covenant King Saul made so Jonathan had a small taste of honey. Saul cast lots (throw dice) to see who was the culprit and promised that he who had something to eat before the said time would die, even if it was his own son Jonathan. It was shown to be Jonathan and he admitted doing so. The PEOPLE knew what kind of person Jonathan was, the PEOPLE had their say and their word was law.

1Sa 14:44-45 "Yes, Jonathan," Saul said, "you must die! May God strike me and even kill me if you do not die for this." But the people broke in and said to Saul, "Jonathan has won this great victory for Israel. Should he die? Far from it! As surely as the LORD lives, not one hair on his head will be touched, for God helped him do a great deed today." So the people rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.

God made clear what a leader’s job entailed. Government is not just one person speaking for all, it is an elect few elite speaking for those who do not have a voice or can not be heard. One man can not possibly run a nation, that is not the intention of government. Within each region there must be a privileged one among many who is elected to speak on the behalf of those who have entrusted their way of life to him. That one must be of the people, he must know the people and most of all he must share the people’s plight or there is completely no point to the matter. He must then take the census of the people to higher and represent them to his fullest. The King or President must then do what is best for the NATION, not a select few. Those who have been elected MUST BE held accountable for their actions. I believe if we are expected to abide by law then the officials must lead with the people’s best interest in mind.

Numbers 11:16-17 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Gather before Me seventy men who are recognized as elders and leaders of Israel. Bring them to the Tabernacle to stand there with you. I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.

Deuteronomy 27:1 Then Moses and the leaders of Israel gave this charge to the people: "Obey all these commands that I am giving you today.”

God created order, God gave government. Laws that apply today are based off of laws in our bible that were written thousands of years ago. The syntax may have changed but the idea still stands true. We must place all laws under the watchful eye of God. If law goes against God’s word then the law has lost all authority and influence. Law may be law but in my home we worship the LORD.

I believe one of my favorite authors Dr. Francis Schaeffer said it best: “If there is no place for disobeying the government, that government has been put in the place of the living God. In such a case the government has been made a false god.”

Peter and John were arrested and brought in front of the council of all the rulers, elders and teachers of religious law. They commanded Peter and John to never again speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John would not allow the powers that be to restrict what was more important which is the Word of God. Never should man be over God.

Acts 4:19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? (NLT)

Take hold of what you believe in my brothers and sisters. We fight for many things that are not really worth the battle. Take up arms and put on the entire Armor of God.

God Bless You,
Frank Aponte Jr