God's Plan for Civil Government – Part 11 - Does God's Word command us to obedience in all cases? (2nd Session)

In January through April of 2012 I led a Bible Study on the Bible and Civil Government. It lasted 13 weeks. These lessons are being posted on a website: https://bibleandcivilgovernment.com.

The Lessons are a bit long for people to read on facebook, so the lessons are being posted on facebook in shorter pieces.

God's Plan for Civil Government # 11  - Does God's Word command us to obedience in all cases?

Does God's Word command us to obedience in all cases?

The list of Scripture on this question is quite lengthy and will extend into next week. The two examples in this session both demonstrate an example of disobedience to civil government that received the Lord's Blessing.

1 Samuel 14:24-30, 43-45 The soldiers of Israel refuse to kill Jonathan after King Saul's strange command.

Jonathan was innocent - not having heard his father's command to not eat anything. The people disobeyed their king to save the innocent. Interestingly the same king that God warned the people against. (Also read 1 Samuel 14:24-30 for full story)

Verse	King James Version
43	Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
44	And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
45	And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

Esther 1:10-12 Queen Vashti refuses to show her beauty to King Ahasuerus' drunken friends.

It is not known for sure what was expected of Vashti by the king in front of these men. She was a beautiful woman. The king wanted to show all the people her beauty. She refused. This appears to have been the honorable thing to do. She was a modest lady. Proverbs 31:30, "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." This action was used by God to pave the way for Esther.

Verse	King James Version
10	On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
11	To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
12	But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

This will be continued next week.

 

Conclusion: Any interpretation of Romans 13:1-7 that includes a statement that Christians are to obey civil government in all things is incorrect. A better understanding is needed. This question will be continued in nest part of this Bible Study.

Next: Part 12 - Does God's Word command us to obedience in all cases?