Wise Kings & Their Kingdoms
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 18 Aug 2011 in From Steve's Study ::
Today, we will be looking at what the book of Proverbs has to say about kings and their kingdoms. As you would expect from what we’ve seen so far in the book, the Proverbs talks a lot about how rulers should behave, but also about how those they rule should respond.
However, to truly understand what’s there, we need to see the book in the context of the rest of scripture. In particular, it is important to recognize how the kings of which Proverbs speaks, should relate to the Kingdom of God.
Graeme Goldsworthy’s book “Gospel & Kingdom” gives an excellent summary of how God’s kingdom operates, describing it as “God’s people, in God’s place, under God’s rule”. Throughout the scriptures, we see God’s kingdom at work: from Adam & Eve (God’s people) living in the Garden of Eden (God’s Place) under God’s Rule; through the times of the monarchy, where Israel (God’s people) dwell in the Promised Land (God’s Place) by the Law of Moses (God’s Rule); to the promise of the New Creation where Christians (God’s people) will dwell with God in the New Creation (God’s place), with renewed hearts doing God’s will (God’s rule).
In Scripture, is it this kingdom of God that is the focus, not our earthly kingdoms (not even the physical kingdom of Israel). All human rulers must rule in such a way that doesn’t seek to overthrow that kingdom, but rather to demonstrate & submit to the rule of God in that place, & those who are subject to them should live first and foremost as citizens of God’s kingdom who seek to live out heavenly values in their earthly society.
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