May the mumbling commence!
The Chronicler deals with King David with rose-colored
glasses. Even when he admits to a fault
of David, he softens the blow. Read the
Chronicler’s version of the census from First Chronicles chapter twenty-seven:
When David took his census, he did not
count those who were younger than twenty years of age, because the Lord
had promised to make the Israelites as numerous as the stars in heaven. Joab began the census but never finished it because the anger of God broke out against Israel.
The final total was never recorded in King David's official records. (Verses
23-24)
Did you notice the caveat? David did not wish to count the people under twenty
– because the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in
heaven. Then, why did David bother to
count those people over twenty years of age?
It softens the blow for a stumble that David made.
And the reason for Joab not finishing the census is not
his disagreement with King David (though that is the way it was recorded by the
author of First Kings). Only the anger
of the Lord stopped Joab. Dissention is
forgotten or simply glossed over.
It’s interesting to think about today. How do we view our political leaders? How do we respect and support them? These are important questions that the Apostle
Paul raises in his letter to the Romans.
Read from the beginning of Romans chapter thirteen:
Obey the government, for God is the
one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing
to obey God, and punishment will follow.
For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they
frighten those who do wrong. So do what they
say, and you will get along well. The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are
doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be
punished. The authorities are established by God for that very
purpose, to punish those who do wrong. So you must obey
the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear
conscience.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid so they can keep on
doing the work God intended them to do. Give to everyone
what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor
to all to whom it is due. (Verses 1-7)
Obey the government.
God has raised the governments up to reward the faithful and punish the
wrong. Yes, God raises up governments
and tears them down… based on how well they fall in line with the Spirit of God’s
Law.
So, in most things, we obey our government. Do what they say. Pay them their due.
Oh, man – that means I have to pay my
taxes! So much for the TEA Party – Taxed
Enough Already!
Who are you and I to
decide when we are taxed enough? Taxes
are for our welfare… everyone’s welfare.
Our well-being is tied up with the well-being of the poorest and most
vulnerable in our midst.
Pay our government leaders their due. That also means that I need to pay them respect
for their service… even when I might disagree with their policies and
ideas.
I may want to think that my
political leaders have to earn my respect.
But, how exactly are they to do that?
Toe the line that I set?!?
It all
comes back to the welfare of our nation is tied up with the well-being of every
single citizen (and “illegal” alien) within our borders… and beyond. It is high time to take stock… to look at
ourselves in the mirror with honesty and integrity and humility.
If we can embrace this task together, we can
make a much better world to live in.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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