By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by Me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth – Proverbs 8:15 – 16
PREAMBLE
Last week we discussed that God has His people everywhere, even in unexpected places and positions, drawing inspiration from the story of Daniel in ancient Babylon. Despite prevailing challenges, we concluded by emphasizing the hope that God’s strategic placement of His people brings, even in the midst of adversity.
Today we continue by looking through the Bible, encountering numerous individuals who served in governmental roles while maintaining their faith and devotion to God.
INTRODUCTION
God has His people everywhere, including within the realm of governance. Governance, an act of administration and leadership, is a calling rooted in God’s mandate for believers to exercise influence, control, and dominion over the earth (Gen 1:28).
God, as the ultimate power, delegates functions to human beings, including the responsibility of governance. Governance is not merely a secular concept but a calling of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:8), designed to maintain orderliness and promote the general welfare of society. Throughout history, God’s children have played pivotal roles in governance, leaving indelible footprints in the path of history.
Here are some remarkable examples of individuals who served God while working in government positions.
Government Employees in The Bible
Much of Daniel’s career was spent at the highest levels of the Babylonian government, where he served as the chief advisor to King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 5:11-12; compare 1:18-21). The Bible tells of several other people who served God while working in government positions. Some of them came to believe in Him while so employed.
The list below is some of the more noteworthy.
1.Joseph (Gen. 39-50)
- After being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, he was taken to Egypt where God arranged matters for him to eventually become the chief executive officer of the nation.
2.Caleb (Num. 13-14)
- He served as a spy for Moses when the Israelites initially prepared to enter Canaan. Years later, he served as a leader to help divide the land.
3.Joshua (Num. 13-14; Josh. 1:1-3:17)
- He served as a spy with Caleb, and later was called to succeed Moses as Israel’s leader.
4.Deborah (Judg. 4-5)
- She is the only female judge over Israel mentioned in the Bible. Of the military commander was victorious in the battle with her help, she led her people in a victory song.
5.David (1 Sam. 16-31; 2 Sam. 1-24)
- He rose from obscurity as a shepherd to become the preeminent king of Israel.
6.Solomon (1 Kin. 3-11)
- Successor to David, he was best known for his wisdom, but also excelled in international trade, building projects which included the temple, amassing great wealth, and writing much of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and probably the Song of Solomon.
7.Hezekiah (2 Kin 18-20;2 Chr. 29-32)
- Born to the family of wicked King Ahaz, he ruled Judah with unexpected righteousness. He is remembered for building a strategic water supply system for Jerusalem.
8.Nehemiah (Neh. 1-6)
- As a Hebrew captive in Babylon, he served as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I, a high-level position. After hearing about the destruction of Jerusalem he appealed to the King for help and negotiated a letter of commission to return to Jerusalem and lead its redevelopment
9.Esther (The book of Esther)
- An orphan in the care of an older cousin, she was recruited into the harem of the Persian king Ahasuerus, from which she was selected to be queen. In this role she was able to foil a plot of genocide against her people.
10.Matthew (Matt 9:9)
- He served as a tax collector for the Roman government, and as a result was rejected by his own people the Jews. Jesus called him to leave his position and follow Him.
11.Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9)
- The chief tax collector of Jericho, he sought out Jesus, and after having dined with him, repaid everyone he had cheated and gave half his wealth to the poor.
13.A Roman Centurion (Matt. 27:54)
- He oversaw the crucifixion of Jesus, but came to believe that Jesus was the son of God after witnessing the events of His death.
14.The Treasurer of Ethiopia (Acts 8:26-40)
- This official and under the Ethiopian queen was traveling home from a trip to Jerusalem when he encountered the evangelist Philip, who explained to him the way of salvation in Christ.
15.Cornelius (Acts 10)
- A Roman military commander stationed in Caesarea; he obeyed God by inviting Peter to come to his home. After Peter explained the gospel, he and his household became the first non-Gentile converts in the early church.
16.The Philippians Jailer (Acts 16: 20 -36)
- Working the night shift at the jail in Philippi, he was panic stricken after an earthquake opened the doors of the cells. But Paul and Silas brought him lasting peace by presenting the gospel, which he and his family believed.
CONCLUSION
These biblical examples serve as powerful reminders that God’s sovereignty extends over all realms of human endeavour, including governance. As we reflect on these narratives, let us remember that our ultimate allegiance is to God, and may we strive to honour Him in all that we do, whether in government or in any other sphere of life. Just as He strategically placed His people in ancient times, we can trust that He continues to do so today, bringing hope and light even in the midst of challenges and adversity.
Stay blessed!
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