Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 1/9/2007

Question
What do they mean when they say that God gave us government? Wasn't there government before the Hebrews and didn't the Greeks and Romans, etc. have government before the influences of the Israelites?

Answer
Hi JD
   Sorry to be slow, but I have been tied up and I am just getting to your question.
   God gave us the principles of government.   He gave the Old Testament Law to Israel through Moses around 2400 BC.  Only God is the sovereign ruler of all.   Man gets his concept of human government from God as the Creator and Ruler of the universe.     In Bible times God exercised government through many persons and institutions.
The basic unit of government among the Hebrews was the “father’s house” or primary family (Gen. 12:1; Num. 1:4). Above this was the clan (Num. 36:6) and then the tribe, governed by a leader who was chosen by representatives from the tribes (Num. 1:4–16). Over all these units was a central leader. In early days, Moses or Joshua (and Aaron and his descendants in the religious sphere) served as central leaders among the Israelites. After Joshua’s death, numerous local or tribal leaders known as Judges stepped forward to lead. These judges exercised many governmental functions, but no central leadership existed during those days. Only Samuel approached national status as a leader.
    The possibility of a king as central leader of the nation was foreseen as early as Genesis 17:6; Deuteronomy 17:14–20. The kings governed by using bureaucracies similar to those of other ancient Near Eastern kingdoms. Kings who overstepped the legitimate bounds of “government under God” were often confronted by prophets such as Nathan, Elijah, or Jeremiah (2 Sam. 12:1–15a). Isaiah the prophet pointed to the coming Messiah who would be the supreme ruling king and agency of God’s government of His people (Is. 9:6–7).
    After the fall of Jerusalem in 586 b.c., the Jews were ruled by foreign powers such as Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. During most of these times, however, the Jews were allowed a measure of self-government. In time the office of High Priest took on political as well as religious dimensions. At most times there was also a group of local Jewish leaders that formed a governing council. In Jesus’ day, this body was called the Sanhedrin. Made up of both Sadducees and Pharisees, it was presided over by the high priest.
   Jesus taught that earthly governments exist by God’s will (John 19:11) and are legitimate as long as they do not take over the role reserved for God (Mark 12:13–17). When human governments exalt themselves above God, they go beyond their legitimate function in society (Dan. 5:31).  Romans 13 discusses human government as ordained by God. Revelation 13, on the other hand, discusses it as becoming degenerate and demonic. Christians live in the tension created by the fact that governments can be good (Rom. 13) or evil (Rev. 13). When governments promote good and suppress evil, they fulfill their God-given function (Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13–14). But if government exalts itself as sovereign over all life, then it has overstepped its bounds and is a handmaid of evil.

   Romans 13:1-6 explains the relationship of Christians to their government:
    "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.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 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: 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. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing." (Romans 13:1-6)
    I hope this helps.  If you have further questions or comments please write.
Cooper Abrams
Bible-truth.org