Proclaiming the Gospel to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Shalom and welcome to the Everlasting Nation, a radio ministry of International Board of Jewish Missions. This is Mark Oshman with the International Board of Jewish Missions, presenting another radio Bible study. Again we turn our attention to Solomon's advice in the Book of Proverbs. How to rear godly children. Solomon endorsed the notion that people ought to obey their magistrates. as sources of authority. He instructed his son to fear God and the king, as recorded in Proverbs chapter 24. All forms of human government derive their authority from God. Paul set forth this principle in the 13th chapter of his epistle to the Romans, quote, God instituted the concept of human government after the flood. One of the most administrative important functions of government involved the affliction of capital punishment, that is to say, the execution of those who committed crimes which were worthy of death. Thus, God told Noah in the ninth chapter of Genesis, God appointed Moses to be the first judge of Israel. as revealed in the 18th chapter of Exodus. Later on, God delegated part of that function to a group of, quote, able men out of all Israel, unquote, men who would judge Israel. According to the 17th chapter of Deuteronomy, though, God declared that he would institute a monarchy to rule over the Jewish nation. He required each Jewish king to possess a personal copy of the Book of the Law. and to read from it every day. Why? Quote, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them, unquote. However, God placed limitations upon the authority of civil rulers. Any human government which issues edicts directly contrary to God's teachings has overstepped its boundaries. Since God exercises supreme sovereignty over all facets of human life, even divinely ordained authorities cannot issue orders contravening God's commandments. Any human government that tries to do so thereby sets itself in opposition to God. God passed judgment upon the kingdoms of Israel and Judah when their people followed the decrees issued by their leaders, decrees which went against God's directives. These divine verdicts also extended to the rulers themselves. Second Kings repeatedly mentioned Jeroboam as being the man, quote, who made Israel to sin, unquote. God even sent Jeroboam a prophet to warn him about the coming condemnation. The author of 2 Chronicles 33 noted how, quote, the Lord spake to Manasseh and to his people, but they would not hearken. Wherefore the Lord brought down upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with feathers, and carried him to Babylon." Now, withstanding such examples, God expected His people to obey civil authorities. As Paul wrote, again in Romans Chapter 13, rulers functioned as the minister of God to thee for good." Obedient Christians thus needed to, quote, render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor, unquote. God set himself up as the ultimate authority, but allowed human government sovereignty over the affairs of their citizens. This is Mark Oshman with the International Board of Jewish Missions, presenting another Radio Bible broadcast. You've been listening to The Everlasting Nation, a ministry of International Board of Jewish Missions. For more information, you can contact us at 423-876-8150 or go online to ibjm.org. Until next time, may God bless and Shalom!