If you recall yesterday's study of 2 Samuel 20:1-2, we saw how one man can stir up quite a bit of trouble and we also saw why. The kingdom was split for and against King David through the sinful behavior of prideful Sheba. Though many joined his revolt against authority, today I want to look for a moment at the small group of men that were not stirred up by his rebellion. I am referring to those men of Judah mentioned in verse two of 2 Samuel 20, who the Bible says "clave unto their king"....
2 Samuel 20:2 (KJV)
So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the
son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan
even to Jerusalem.
What was it that prevented this little remnant from listening to the trumpet call of a rebellious man? Surely it was not the fact that King David, their leader, was a sinless man, for God's Word clearly says that all men are sinners! This being the case, what was it then that kept them cleaving to their king, an imperfect man? As our investigation unfolds, I think you'll find, as I did, that honor was a deep-rooted part of their character, beginning with their attitude toward the Word of God…
Ecclesiastes 8:2 (KJV)
I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard to the
oath of God.
The best advice is Bible advice, amen ladies? And the counsel given us here in scripture is to keep the king's commandment! These men of Judah understood that the oath of God is an allegiance to a government made in the name of God. Therefore they held a very high regard for the office of king, this God-ordained position of authority, because they first held a high regard for God's counsel, His Word! Those who honor God will honor their rulers, displaying openly their reverent attitude toward the Lord. Any man who therefore appears before the king must be very careful in his conduct because he is appearing before the Lord's ordained. Certainly a faithful man is one who knows full well he ought to be very careful about questioning the actions of such a powerful figure whose office is supported by the powers of heaven…
Ecclesiastes 10:20 (KJV)
Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy
bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which
hath wings shall tell the matter.
Ladies, the Bible says not to speak lightly of rulers - even unworthy ones! This verse was taken from a portion of scripture which dealt with an immature king and yet the counsel of God still remains the same - be very careful what you say about a king - even what you think about him! And might I add that this ought to be applied to our attitude toward our husbands as well, for as we've studied before, they are the kings of our homes, amen? Have you been cursing your king in your thoughts, dear wife?? If you allow rebellious attitudes to ferment in your mind they may soon make their way to your lips! Watch out, for God sees all and when He pleases, brings it to light by strange and unsuspected ways! Our husbands, pastors, deacons etc. are all men who are still growing in the Lord - just as you and I are, and they are to be honored because God Himself says so. Even with their human imperfections the Lord has placed these men in the position of ruling over others. As a matter of fact, though nonbelievers generally carry much of our government on, the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ have always been that we should live in respect to the law. Why? Because all power comes from God, therefore we are to be subject to that power. We then, like the small group of men of Judah, must be faithful to honor God's Word by properly honoring our God-ordained authorities. Sheba may have thought he was exempt from having to honor King David, but the Word of God does not allow for even one to escape their duty to do so!
Romans 13:1-2 (KJV)
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.
Ladies, God has set up certain "kings" in this world as He sees fit, whether we are speaking of government, church, or home. What is your choice in response to that government - duty or damnation?? Are you going to resist God in what He is doing, what He has done? If so, you're asking trouble for yourself, which is precisely what Sheba found! Those who would riot and rebel must understand that opposition to government is opposition to God…
Proverbs 28:7 (KJV)
Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotus
men shameth his father.
You see ladies, true righteousness produces a life of subjection, not resistance! Respect and obedience to the law is an open manifestation of a righteous intelligence; a reverent, submissive heart. But our disrespect and disobedience to authority is a shame to our Father in Heaven! God will take care of the rulers that He set up, that is His business, for the Lord still governs in the affairs of men. Do you trust the Lord with your authorities? God will teach rulers the necessary leadership skills for the position they hold - it is not our job! You and I simply need to take care that we learn subjection through it all, for we are all under construction!
Proverbs 21:1 (KJV)
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he
turneth it whithersoever he will.
Perhaps today you are resisting your responsibilities because you are worried about what somebody else's might be. Is it possible you are so preoccupied with what your rulers are up to that you have overlooked your own obedience to the Lord?? What has your inward and outward attitude been toward the authorities in your life? Our Christian responsibility for maintaining good government is always to submit, otherwise we bring shame to the name of Christ! It makes no difference what the maturity of your rulers are, you have no right to turn your ear away from the law. In your willful rebellion, you will find yourself cut off from many blessings…
Proverbs 28:9 (KJV)
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall
be an abomination.
Incidentally, did you ever stop to think that God has a tutorial for your ruler through your subjection?? When my husband and I were first married, he was lost and I was saved. By God's grace, it was through my subjection to the Lord AND to him that my husband was ever drawn to a life of righteousness in Christ. Perhaps many a ruler could learn more from the Lord if those under their authority weren't so busy resisting them all the time!! Ladies, did you ever consider that your ability to submit was helping pave the way for a leader to hear from God?? Don't follow after Sheba in living a life full of riotous and resistant behavior, stay put and subject yourself to what God has ordained for YOU!
1 Peter 3: 1-2 (KJV)
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any
obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation
of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with
fear.
Do you see in those verses above the great work that can be achieved through subjection?? It is a heavenly construction that can take place no other way and it is a plan for spiritual victory. God's Word is true; it works when you follow His counsel! By obeying God’s Word, I experienced it firsthand in my life; I found out about the power to change things through the principle of subjection. As a Christian, I was disobedient to the Lord in marrying an unsaved man. After my repentance in this matter, the first lesson the Lord taught me in my marriage was obedience, and then I learned how to bestow honor where honor was due. My former unsaved husband is now saved, sanctified, and preaching the gospel! Certainly that is a marvelous change from being a drinker and womanizer and headed for hell, amen? Was it easy? No, I suffered greatly along the way for my earlier rebellion, but that is part of growing in the Lord! We both had something to learn, ruler AND follower....
Hebrews 5:8 (KJV)
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered;
Has salvation made my husband a perfect ruler now? Of course not, but the desires of his heart have sincerely changed and God is still working in his life daily (and mine!) as he seeks the will of the Lord through the Word of God. He is my husband and he is my pastor, a God-ordained authority in my life, and I am to subject myself to his imperfect leadership because God says so. As Christians, our motivation should be to always have a clear conscience before the Lord. The town mayor is just as much a minister of God as the local pastor, but in a very different way. However, it is not right for us to speak disrespectfully of either. For the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ we are to give honor to those who are HIS ministers. Fulfill your Christian duty to ALL men, ladies, both to the froward and good. Whether or not we understand God's ordained plan for us through the rulers He has set up in our lives, we must trust that it is a plan that serves our good! We should always want to honor God in obedience and not resist Him in that perfect plan. We must needs be subject…
Romans 13:4-6 (KJV)
For he is a 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 this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers,
attending continually upon this very thing.
Ladies, so much can be accomplished when both parties - those leading and those following - think properly, according to the counsel of the Lord. They could have been discouraged when division came to the kingdom, but I believe the small group of faithful men from Judah understood the principle of subjection and believed that God could take care of any imperfections in their king if and when He deemed it necessary. Therefore they clave unto King David and remained loyal, exhibiting humble subjection though surrounded by division. I’ll be honest with you, the way most Christian women think about, talk about, and treat their husbands they don’t deserve God making any improvements in their king!! Would you think a rebellious congregation deserves a better pastor? Not God! Because of their willingness to obey God and honor their king, the Lord protected and blessed the men of Judah, just as He did in the lives of countless others down through the ages that followed after righteousness and not rebellion. Hence, they enjoyed the fruit of their loyalty and God blessed them with a good leader.
Proverbs 27:18 (KJV)
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth
on his master shall be honored.
1 Peter 3:13 (KJV)
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is
good?
How wonderfully this Biblical approach simplifies our lives! Don't you want the guarantee of this kind of protection in your life, ladies? Don't you want peace of mind in the midst of conflict; don't you want to know for sure that you made the right decision in standing by the king and the king's law? Better to fear displeasing God than to fear what men like Sheba and his riotous companions might do to us! If you and I follow God's Word wholeheartedly and stop our ears to men and women like Sheba who lead a revolt against the very principle of subjection, we will end up as followers of good. We'll wind up in a position that God Himself will honor, a position of submission, which in the Lord’s sight of great price. Though our number may be small, we'll still experience a magnitude of peace in remaining faithful servants to the king. God promises nothing will harm us when He sees us living a life that honors His will!
1 Peter 2:17 (KJV)
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 1999 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
