Listen to this articleA lot of Christians have a question on whether God is involved in the selection of human rulers. If so, then why does he seem to choose wicked people who oppress the weak and are corrupt. And how should the church, which is the salt of the world do its part in bringing light to politics. This presentation is meant to answer these questions.
How God Appoints Kings
Some people think that God only appoints people that are righteous to be rulers. This is not true.
God appoints leaders according to seasons, There is a season of prosperity where God appoints a man who is anointed to bring prosperity.
There are seasons for judgement when God can appoint wicked kings like Pharaoh that they may be judged.
There are seasons of testing when God will appoint cruel rulers or sometimes deceivers that those who truly love God may be seen.
There are seasons of deliverance when God needs a king who can fight the war that is ahead.
In all these seasons God’s people will overcome and become stronger.
Pharaoh
The wicked Pharoah who oppressed the people of God in Egypt was raised by God
Romans 9:17 (NET)
For the scripture says to Pharaoh: “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may demonstrate my power in you, and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”
God wanted to show his power and judgment through him. He also wanted to give his people a new land, and they were now comfortable in Egypt. A cruel Egyptian was what they needed to get them thinking of Canaan.
Many Christians sometimes get too comfortable in this perishing world, and a cruel leader here and there gets them to start thinking about heaven again. And their souls are saved.
Jeroboam
1 Kings 11:31 (NET)
Then he told Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces, for this is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘Look, I am about to tear the kingdom from Solomon’s hand and I will give ten tribes to you.
Jeroboam was anointed by God as judgement against Solomon. Jeroboam went on to introduce false religion in Israel.
God determined boundaries
Firstly it is important to note that it is God who established all the different nations and determined their boundaries.
Acts 17:26 (WEB)
He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings,
What seemed like random events where the strong overtook the weak, and lands were divided without people’s consent, was actually the hand of God working. The reason God did this, was to bring salvation to all people.
Acts 17:26-27 (WEB)
26… and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
So God’s primary motive in all these nations is that the people may eventually seek him and find him. This is the core of God’s heart. Let’s move to the next point.
God appoints all leaders
Besides creating the different nations and determining their lands, God also chooses their leaders. Daniel confessed this truth after his nation Israel had been destroyed by a cruel unbelieving king. This king then demanded the death of all the wise men who could not interpret his dream. Daniel himself was a slave to this king and was going to be killed under this order.
He says this…
Daniel 2:21 (WEB)
He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings, and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding.
Daniel understood that this wicked king was king because of God, and his own wisdom had come because of God.This realization allowed Daniel to prosper under a wicked king and eventually the wicked kings heart was converted because of Daniel.
Daniel 3:28 (WEB)
Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
Daniel 4:37 (WEB)
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.
If Daniel had tried to fight against Nebuchadnezzar he would have been found to be fighting against God. But by submission to God primarily and to secondarily to this evil king, God used him to change this man’s heart.
Note that Daniel was submissive to Nebuchadnezzar, he treated him with respect and honor. However, when Nebuchadnezzar asked everyone to violet the commandments of God, Daniel chose to obey God rather than the king. But he did it with respect.
The Church
The Church was born under the rule of the Roman Empire which was very wicked. The apostles were persecuted and eventually killed by Caesar. Caesar had set up kings, governors and centurions of his choice to rule in the world. Even the high priests who were in Jerusalem had been placed and removed by the Romans. Here is what the apostles write concerning that wicked and corrupt system which ruled in their day.
Romans 13:1-2 (NET)
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.
2 So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment
These rulers were not voted for. There was no voice of the people. A king would get into power by killing all his opponents. Not only that, he would openly kill the entire families of his opponents and set up rulers and governors of his liking. These rulers were accountable only to themselves. Yet apostle Paul says they are ordained by God and anyone who resists them is resisting God.
Our highest authority in life is God himself. This means that where the rulers of this world ask us to go against the higher authority, who is God, we have to listen to God rather than men. For example, if the government asks you to commit genocide or drink human blood, you are not obligated to obey that because it refutes the word of God.
When Jesus was brought before Pilate that judgement would be placed on his matter. Jesus reminds Pilate that he had received his authority from God.
John 19:10-11 (NET)
10 So Pilate said, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have the authority to release you, and to crucify you?”
11 Jesus replied, “You would have no authority over me at all, unless it was given to you from
But in all of this there is good news for the Christian.
Understanding The Mind Of God
God’s greatest desire is for the salvation of mankind. His ultimate goal in everything he does is to bring salvation to mankind.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NET)
1 First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people,
2 even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
3 Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior,
4 since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
God would rather people get to heaven without eyes and legs and many things that they value… Than to have a false peace, false wealth and false joy which leads them into everlasting hell fire.
Matthew 5:29 (NET)
If your right eye you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell.
God values people’s salvation above all.
