I've chosen for this blog post to keep things simple. Much of the greatest wisdom in the realm of human government can be found in the Bible. Our own founding fathers drew much of their guidance from it when they wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Having done some study of the scriptures which deal with government, I will just lay them out before you with the occasional comment. Let the Holy Spirit be your teacher.
First of all, the Bible presents the concept of boundary stones, an important and even sacred ancient tradition whereby stones where placed to mark property lines. They gave physical definition to personal property rights as well as governmental jurisdictions.
DT 19:14 "Do not move your neighbor's boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess."
DT 27:17 "Cursed is the man who moves his neighbor's boundary stone." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
Job24:1-3 "Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment? Why must those who know him look in vain for such days? Men move boundary stones, they pasture flocks they have stolen. They drive away the orphan's donkey and take the widow's ox in pledge...."
PS 16:5,6 "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance."
HOS 5:10 "Judah's leaders are like those who move boundary stones. I will pour out my wrath on them like a flood of water." (presumably not covering the entire earth again)
Now I move on to some other jewels.
Luke 3:12-14 "Tax collectors also came to be baptized. 'Teacher,' they asked, "what should we do?" "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he [Jesus] told them. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely-be content with your pay." (in those days, soldiers also served the police function)
Acts 17:26-27 "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set before them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."
From this: racism is a lie, evolution is a lie, all of human history has a purpose, borders and nations and Kingdoms and dynasties are under his control. It all rolls back to the truth of the story of Adam and Eve, the creation, the fall, filling the earth, turning to God of our own free will.
To save space, I refrain from copying the entire thirteenth chapter of the book of Romans. Instead, please read it yourself and see how many fundamental governmental principles are hidden there! Couple that with Acts 5:29 "We must obey God rather than men!" and you have grounds for a revolution!
Now, let's look at a couple of the prophets.
From Isaiah 1:
16 "wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."
21, 23 "See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her-but now murderers!
Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow's case does not come before them. Therefore,...."
This sounds more like tomorrow's newspaper than Hebrew words on a scroll over 2,700 years old.
Jeremiah 1:
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
10 "See, today I appoint you over nations and Kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."
One man CAN make a difference! Especially since the individual is sovereign and can rise up over the power of tyranny, as the American revolutionaries did.
Lamentations 3:34-36
"To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land, to deny a man his rights before the Most High, to deprive a man of justice-would not the Lord see such things?"
There is no doubt that the American Revolution was inspired by God's word and achieved by his power, but NEVER forget that this same God has the will and the right to tear down any nation that defies him. He is very patient....
I pray you listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Please look at the many verses below from Proverbs.
8:14... Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.
11:1 The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.
(read 16:11 also)
16:26 The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.
17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-the Lord detests them both. (read verse 26 and 18:5 too)
19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish.
19:28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mourn of the wicked gulps down evil.
20:10 Differing weights and differing measures-the Lord detests them both. [By the way, the Constitution requires that honest weights and measures be established.]
21:15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
23:10,11 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.
24:21,22 Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious, for these two will send sudden destruction upon then, and who knows what calamities they can bring?
Read 24:23,24,25 and 25:2-10
25:15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded and a gentle tongue can break a bone. [I think I need to memorize this; can you think of somewhere to use this verse?]
Read 25:18
Just go ahead and read all of chapters 28 and 29; too much good stuff there to pick and choose!
I hope this has blessed you and that God will teach you many great things as you think on his word.
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