1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. Establishment & Purpose of Government Selected Scriptures
God is the creator of the universe, time, the Earth, and man - Genesis 1
God created man in His image to be His regent on Earth carrying out His plans - Genesis 1:28
Adam broke God commands with his descendants become so evil God destroyed them in the flood

3. Establishment & Purpose of Government Selected Scriptures
God forced Noah’s descendants to disburse by confusing their languages - Genesis 10
By Genesis 14, Kingdoms were established and had a protective role for its people
Abraham’s descendants through Jacob became a distinct nation with a theocratic government

4. Establishment & Purpose of Government Selected Scriptures
The Mosaic Law is the most comprehensive revelation of God’s will for governments
The people rejected the theocracy and demanded a king, but God was already prepared - Deut. 17
Rulers were to put their trust in God instead of seeking power, wealth or pleasure

5. Establishment & Purpose of Government Selected Scriptures
Rulers that are humble, fear the Lord and lead their people in righteousness will be blessed - Deut. 17:18-20; Prov. 11:10
Governments are to promote good and suppress evil - Romans 13:3-4

6. Establishment & Purpose of Government Selected Scriptures
Governments are to:
Carry out God’s commands,
Protect its citizens from evil,
Promote good

7. Establishment & Purpose of Government Selected Scriptures
Governments that do not do these things place themselves at risk of being removed - Daniel 4, 2 Kings
Proverbs dealing with government primarily deal with issues of wisdom, righteousness and justice

8. Types of Government Officials
Types of government in scriptures include: patriarchal, kingdoms, theocracy & democracy in theocracy
Only the Millennial Kingdom under Messiah is presented as the superior government
The weakness of democracy is that it reflects its people - whether good or evil

9. Types of Government Officials
Many specific types of officials are named, but they often overlap
The duties of all government officials are to eventually relate to the 3 major functions
Carry out God’s commands,
Protect its citizens from evil,
Promote good

10. Wisdom
Wisdom is crucial for successful government – Prov. 1:2-7; 8:14-16, 32-36
Biblical wisdom is heavenly, not earthly, natural or demonic - see James 3:13-18
Wisdom in the Bible refers not only to human skills and ability, but also to submitting to God’s will

11. Righteousness / Unrighteous
Prov. 14:34 applies to all government: Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people
Righteousness brings blessings while sin brings travail & tragedy: Proverbs 28:12, 29:2, 16
A good ruler upholds God’s law and correct sinners: Proverbs 29:27; 4:14-15; 28:4; 19:29

12. Righteousness / Unrighteous
The people groan under a wicked government - Isaiah 5:20-21; Proverbs 24:23-26
Be careful about the source of advice: Proverbs 12:5; 25:4-5; 1:5; 12:15; 16:13; 20:28; 19:21 - Psalm 1
A leader must stand strong & courageous against the wicked - Proverbs 25:26

13. Justice / Injustice
Righteous and evil are mutually exclusive yielding opposite results: Proverbs 21:15, 8:20
Justice is required before worship - Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 1:10-15; Proverbs 15:8; Micah 6:8
The first level of justice are the laws of the nation – Proverbs 28:5; 13:23

14. Justice / Injustice
Righteousness & justice demand honesty - Proverbs 16:11; 20:10; 22:28
A good ruler establishes justice, an evil ruler oppression – Prov. 29:4; 28:15-16
The justice of a good king is a blessing - Proverbs 20:8; 20:26; 29:14

15. Justice / Injustice
A wicked king can be bribed - Proverbs 17:23, listen to bad advice and increase evil - Proverbs. 29:12
Rulers must be careful about allowing anything to pervert their judgment - Proverbs 31:8-9

16. Justice / Injustice
A judge must suppress false witnesses Proverbs 14:25; 19:5, 28; 24:28-29
A judge’s decisions reflect his own character - good or bad - Proverbs 21:8; 29:7; 18:5; 17:15, 26

17. Conclusion
God is the judge of both men and nations
Our only real hope is in declaring the gospel and God granting revival

18. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ