RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT
PSALM 72, Romans 13, Book of Proverbs
PSALM 72 serves as the foundation of today’s sermon, but we’re going to look at a lot of verses about what the BIBLE CONSIDERS RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT.
Now I’m not going to get into all the LAWS of LEVITICUS; that would take too much time, and it’s not really what this sermon is about.
And we’re not going to make a list of grievances today against our current government, because that would take all night.
What I really want to get across is that there’s only ever been ONE righteous government founded completely upon Biblical Laws and there will EVER only be ONE more RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT on this earth, during the future millennial reign of Christ.
There are three main components to Psalm 72.
- King David wrote this psalm for his son, Solomon.
- This was likely written as King David was abdicating the throne.
- In other words, Solomon had just sat on the throne as the new King of Israel.
- And David prays a hymn of blessing over him and asks God to give Solomon righteousness in judgment to rule Israel.
- So we see right away that Godly government is characterized by a ruler with the ability to judge the governed with righteousness.
- And that’s the main component of Psalm 72 that I want to focus on today: the idea that our government and laws should be overflowing with righteous judgment.
- Now, we all know that’s not happening today.
- All you have to do is think of all the unborn babies killed by abortion every single day and you know that we’re not a righteous country.
- King David is asking for God’s judgment & righteousness in ruling Israel.
- King David is entreating God to judge the land righteously
& and to give the New King his son righteousness in judging the people, and to have wisdom to choose between good and bad as he rules from the throne.
- Solomon himself prayed as he became king of Israel:
“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. (1 Kings 3:9-10).
- So the purpose of government is to PROMOTE and PROTECT RIGHTEOUSNESS, and to PUNISH the WICKED.
Now Romans 13 is the most popular Bible passage that people turn to when discussing the role of government in our lives.
But it’s grossly misused.
And a lot of government-sponsored pastors and churches love to push ROMANS 13.
Turn to Romans 13, chapter 1:
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.
ROMANS 13 is saying that as Christians we are subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God.
But what is the higher power in our land?
What form of government do we have in the United States?
Are we a monarchy? Well, politicians today think so.
Do we obey kings and governors no matter what?
The Bible says that the powers that be are ordained of God.
So #1, Who is the HIGHER POWER BUT GOD? God is the final authority, and therefore, His Word is our final Law in all things.
#2, in America the US Constitution is the highest law of the land.
#3, the elected representatives in charge of faithfully discharging the tenets of the US Constitution, are supposed to be the working, active agents of that higher law.
So we’re supposed to give respect to and obey the representatives of our nation when they’re following:
(1) the higher law of God
(2) the greater law of the US Constitution.
- Questioning authority has historically been the most favorite American pastime of all time.
This country was founded on questioning authority, not for light and transient reasons, but for serious aberrations of Moral.
- Now here’s where it gets dangerous …
In the NIV and other modern corruptions of the Bible, the KJV’s “HIGHER POWERS” is changed to “GOVERNING AUTHORITIES”.
Here’s the King James again:
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God…
HERE’S THE NIV:
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities …
So, again, “HIGHER POWERS”, ultimately meaning GOD and HIS LAWS is changed in modern Bibles to: “GOVERNING AUTHORITIES”, ultimately meaning the CIVIL GOVERNMENT itself, despite God’s Laws.
Governments love the NIV, because the Non-Inspired Version of the Bible creates SHEEPLE instead of active citizens …
ROMANS 13 was written to admonish believers to be obedient to the laws of the land when those laws are just and ordained of God.
BUT GOD CAN’T ORDAIN SOMETHING THAT’S IMMORAL or CONTRARY TO HIS OWN LAWS.
Do you really think He approves of our government sanctioning the murder of 1.21 million babies a year through abortion?
DOES GOD APPROVE OF THAT? OUR GOVERNMENT DOES!
HOSEA 8:4
4 They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not:
LAWS CHANGE ALL THE TIME.
Does that mean that God keeps changing His mind?
Maybe if you’re Calvinist, you think that every law in existence today is supported by God.
But Biblical Christianity doesn’t teach that.
LOOK AT ACTS 5.
When Peter and the other apostles were arrested for preaching the Gospel and brought before the High Priest, here’s what they said.
Acts 5, Verse 27:
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
So, obviously, if a law is contrary to the HIGHER POWERS which GOD HAS ORDAINED, it’s your duty as a Christian whose citizenship is in heaven to peaceably disobey or to lawfully protest those laws and choose instead the MORAL LAW OF GOD.
Now I’m not saying become the next ALEX JONES ….
Alex Jones isn’t even saved … he doesn’t have the right perspective …
I like Alex Jones …
So what are we supposed to do as Christians, living in a land that in many ways has become foreign to us and is sometimes contrary to our Laws?
Well, first, PRAY FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY.
1 Timothy Chapter 2
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
- Now it would take many hours to go through everything the Bible has to say about government. There’s actually a lot more than you might at first realize.
- But The first time the word “judgment” appears in the Bible is in Genesis 18:
The Lord speaking to His angels about Abraham, just before He’s about to judge Sodom and Gomorra, says, in v.: 17-19:
17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
- He says that Abraham was going to become a great and mighty nation.
- His Seed would bring about the first Godly, Biblical nation, under the Laws of Moses.
- And it’s significant that God says of him that they “shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment.”
- And it’s no accident that the first time judgment is used in the Bible, God is about to bring justice and judgment by destroying Sodom and Gomorra. But that’s another sermon.
- But you know, today, our government has it completely backwards.
ISAIAH 5:20
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
A great example of this, the president like an utter contemptible fool, had the nerve to ask God to BLESS PLANNED PARENTHOOD!
PROVERBS 28:5 says: “Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.”
Proverbs 28:2
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
We want to prolong freedom in America. I have 5 children … I want many grandchildren and great grandchildren …. I want them to know what it is like to have freedom in America.
To be able to speak freely without the fear of punishment.
We’re on a precipice here.
- What else does Proverbs 28:2 say? For the Transgression of a land MANY are the princes thereof:
That’s why we have so many bureaucrats and so many politicians and so many employees in our government.
I think about the big “shut down” last year … I say let it be shut down … it’s too big!
Today, the US Government does not even have an official, up-to-date list of the number of government programs it funds!
They don’t even know how many programs and agencies they are asking US taxpayers to fund!
They can’t keep track!
Now when we look at what a BIBLICAL GOVERNMENT should look like, a few things stand out.
- Righteousness in Government is for the Good of the Governed:
There’s a lot of good advice on government in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 11:
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
I think of … the Image of Saddam Hussein statue coming down in the 2nd Gulf War.
Proverbs 14:
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
- RIGHTEOUSNESS IN GOVERNMENT CREATES STABLE GOVERNMENTS
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. (Proverbs 20:28)
The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. (Proverbs 28:16).
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. (Proverbs 29:12).
You know, instantly Harry Reid comes to mind …
Crazy “GUN GRABBING” Uncle Joe Biden comes to mind …
Crazy-eyed Pelosi comes to mind …
Johnny “War” McCain comes to mind ….
You know fill in the blank …
Proverbs 29:14
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
A righteous ruler won’t tolerate injustice.
“Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.” Proverbs 16:13
But today we have leaders who only speak lies.
I DON’T EVEN WATCH THE STATE OF THE UNION ANYMORE, because I know every word that proceeds from out of the mouth of the puppet president are lies.
Psalm 62:4 says:
“…they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. “
The Bible says that we should hate those who make a practice of lying.
“I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.” Psalm 31:6
For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
Psalm 59:12
*** And this brings us to the 3rd & FINAL point in psalm 72.
- Psalm 72 contains what’s called a dual-fulfillment of prophecy.
- In the OT, oracles are given to prophets by God.
- Oracles are simply communications from God or messages delivered in direct revelation to the prophets by God.
- And in these messages, there will often be a duality of prophetic fulfillment. The term for this is “dual prophecy”.
- So one part of the prophecy deals with the immediate, corresponding circumstances of time or near future events.
- AT THE SAME TIME, the prophecies will also have a longer term application about more distant events.
- So on the one hand, David is praying for Solomon as the immediate king of Israel. But at the same time, this is a prophecy about the Messiah and his righteous reign, which David and Solomon represent as descendants of Christ.
- A common example of dual prophecies in the Bible, is Psalm 22:1, for example:
Where David says: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?”
- These are the same words Jesus uttered from the Cross.
- And so Psalm 22 is a dual fulfillment psalm.
- And it’s interesting how it happens, because one minute they’re talking about the present and then suddenly it’s about the Messiah.
- Another common example of dual prophecies is Isaiah 7:14 where Isaiah says: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
In the immediate sense, this prophecy was a prophetic sign to King Ahaz of God destroying his enemies.
In Isaiah 7:16, he says: “ For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.”
- So Look again at Psalm 72:1-2 with that in mind and we see that the psalm is not just about Solomon, but about God as the King and Christ as His Son.
- READ PSALM 72:1-2
- So psalm 72 takes on a new layer meaning as a prophetic psalm about the millennial reign of Christ, the only perfect government we will ever see again.
- When we read v. 7-11 we see this more clearly.
- READ v. 7-11 & v. 17-19
REVELATION 11:
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
Psalm 89:14
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
And there is always hope.
Admittedly, it appears very slim. But there is hope.
There is hope for our children and their children and their children.