Proverbs 24:21-22 — Wise Saying #30 (last one!!!)

READ THIS: Proverbs 24:21-22, Wise Saying #30

21 Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials, 22 for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

WELCOME TO THE LAST OF THE NUMBERED WISE SAYINGS IN PROVERBS!!!

This is an interesting proverb...it tells us to fear both God and whatever person is in charge of the country. So, for us, it would be fearing God and the president. Fearing someone in the Biblical sense means reacting to them out of immense respect, even when we don't understand what's happening. With God, He is always doing something interesting that we either love or hate. No matter what, though, we speak about God with respect even when we don't agree with him. Oddly enough, the same should go for those in authority. In verse 21, though, it does warn against joining with rebellious leaders, so we do have to check to make sure that the authority we are listening to is actually on the same page as the greatest authorities in the land. 

Positions of authority are ordained by God, and He is a god of order, so He supports following that order. We do need to be careful to follow only authority that does not go against God. He is our ultimate authority. But, out of respect for His word, we better be insanely certain and convicted by the Holy Spirit to rebel against authority. If there is any uncertainty, it is better to humbly follow the order God ordained (ordain just means that it's been officially set that way), than to go against the Creator of the universe...

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Is it hard for you to obey authority? Why or why not?

2. How can you respect a president you disagree with? What would that look like?

TRY THIS:
 
One way to help us obey authority, especially when we're upset with them, is by praying for them! Pray for someone who has authority in your life/the government who you have trouble respecting!

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