What Does the Bible Say About Government and Politics?

We are voting in America this year and tensions are high. Governments have almost always existed. We have ancient records of censuses, paying taxes or tribute and how different kings ruled.  What is the difference between the terms politics and government?

A government is a system of order for a nation, state, or another political unit. A government is responsible for creating and enforcing the rules of a society, defense, foreign affairs, the economy, and public services.  In everyday life, the term “politics” refers to the way that countries are governed, and to the ways that governments make rules and laws to manage the human society properly.   Generally there are five political styles of government : a democracy, authoritarianism, totalitarianism (dictatorship), a monarchy or a hybrid form.                   (help from AI)

 

God Can Use All Governments For His Purposes

The prophet Jeremiah faithfully warned Israel about their sin and idolatry and suffered personaly for it. His prophesies came true when the Babylonians invaded. They destroyed the Temple and took its wealth as well as many people into captivity for about 70 years.  God and His Word were shared and preserved through the witness of men like the prophet Daniel.  King Nebudchanezzar (the Babylonian King) wrestled with God and learned Who He is.

Daniel 4:34–35 (ESV) At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;  all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

After the 70 years had passed we read in the book of Ezra that God softened the then ruling Persian King’s heart.  He not only sent them back to Israel but gave them the money and supplies to rebuild !

 

What Did Jesus Say About Government and Politics?

When Jesus was born, Caesar Augustus was the emperor of Rome. The Roman Empire imposed Roman law and customs on the Jewish people, and there was a great deal of tension between the two groups.  Jesus subjected Himself to Rome’s authority and the crowds were often amazed at how he treated all people including the soldiers.

Mark 12:14–17   And they came and said to him, “Teacher…. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?”But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”   Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.

Rome wasn’t interested in a poor Jewish preacher but Jesus often clashed with the Jewish leaders (the local politicians). The Pharisees were members of a Jewish party that exercised strict piety according to Mosaic law. They were the experts and enforcers of the Law as well as many traditions passed down over the centuries. The Scriptures possessed supreme authority for the Sadducees, a second group of leaders, to the exclusion of oral traditions from former generations. The Sadducees also denied the resurrection and the existence of fate.

 

What Did The Apostles Teach About Government and Politics?

The early apostles lived and taught in Jerusalem before being sent to other countries to spread the gospel. They were subject to the local law wherever they lived.

Romans 13:1,5-7   Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God…..Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.  Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

1 Timothy 2:1-2   First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

 

A Perfect Government Will One Day Rule

Isaiah 9:6–7     For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

John 18:36   Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Philippians 3:20–21   But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

 

This world has always had turmoil but this is not our permanent home.  While living here on earth we are to obey the law and pray for our leaders.  As we pray for our leaders we must remember that the real battle is not political but spiritual. Eph 6:12