Click Here to Download Chapter Three
Part 3 of the Covenant Series
In Part Two, we looked at the groundwork for how the blood covenant came to be understood by man. This was not a “pagan” ritual devised by the hands of men that the God of Israel used; rather, the understanding of the blood covenant was taught by God to man after the events of Genesis 3. Mankind had been given a promise in Genesis 3:15 that from the seed of Eve would come a Serpent Crusher. This idea of the Serpent Crusher, that would somehow overthrow the effects of sin stemming from the serpent, would become the beginning of a golden thread to be weaved throughout the remainder of God’s revelation to man.
As mankind began to multiply in the earth, the effects of sin’s leaven began to be seen more clearly. The destruction of mankind found in the story of Noah shows that man was internally infected with a nature that, left unchecked, would grow an insatiable hunger for depravity. God’s judgment upon mankind showed surviving man that our actions don’t go unanswered. There is a just God in heaven above. Yet the story also shows man that God is loving, sparing a remnant to start over again. God is not finished with man, but He’ll not put up with reckless wickedness. God shows that sin requires judgment, but if a man can “find favor in God’s eyes” (Gen. 6:8), he can be saved from that judgment.
A man named Abram
Many long years after Noah’s flood, the earth had become populated with man again and great empires began to be built. It’s hard for us to picture a time when there was no Israel, no Temple and no chosen people; but that’s what we find in Genesis 11. There is simply mankind growing into powerful governments. These ancient governments were centered in cities that extended influence in the surrounding areas. The more powerful the city–the longer the reach of their influence. The major power player in those days were the . . .
I am enjoying these articles. So much so, in fact, that I want to ask some questions. With everyone’s attention (in the US, particularly) on government, elections, presidents, political offices, etc., I began to question where the idea came from to establish government.
In this article (Abrahams Covenant), you said, “There is simply mankind growing into powerful governments.” Where did “government” begin? How did man learn how to form governments prior to Israel and life in the Temple? Early in Genesis we see man ruling over others and clusters of people groups spreading throughout the known earth at that time. But, what/who initiated the first government which led men to take rule over families or tribes, etc?
I would appreciate your thoughts.
Chayil
Chayil,
Thank you for asking questions. I love to discuss the Scriptures and you’ve brought up a great subject! Please allow me to break out your questions one by one and answer them:
1)Where did governments begin?
The idea of government actually began with God! Colossians 1:15-16 says concerning Yeshua (Jesus):
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:”
Long before man was created, Adonai T’vaot (“Lord of Hosts” or “Master of Legions”) created invisible thrones and dominions in the heavenlies. These angelic hierarchies provided a framework for God’s operations. When Lucifer rebelled, many of these powers turned as well, which apparently continued the hierarchical structure; hence we find in the book of Daniel where he prayed 3 weeks before Gabriel was able, with the help of Michael, to resist the Prince of Persia (an obvious spiritual reference).
So when Yeshua created man (compare John 1:1-3 with Genesis 1:1), He created man in His own image and likeness. Just as Yeshua was the chief over the dominions of the heavenlies, He made Adam the chief over the dominions of the earth. Adam truly was meant to be an earthly shadow of what the heavenly Messiah was!
In this sense, we can see that government is not evil in principle. In fact, when righteousness rules a nation, government is good and provides peace and security; but when the nation is ruled by wickedness, instability and struggle are it’s trademarks.
2)How did man learn how to form governments prior to life in Israel and the Temple?
I think this stems from the response to the first question. The desire and ability to rule comes innate to mankind. Its a part of who we were when we were created in Messiah’s image. Kingdoms and dominions have always been a part of man’s history just as names and family have been. We’re wired for it!
Consider the conditions after the fall of man–death and destruction have entered the physical realm. Animals that were perhaps docile in the garden start looking at you like a piece of meat. Haha! Early fallen man would have experienced all the same fears and anxieties that we face. At night, man would have wanted to camp together. During the day, travel would have been easier in groups. Early man had two main lifestyles–herders (the keepers of livestock) which would have traveled (this is what Abel–and probably Seth–was); and growers (like Cain) that tilled the ground and set up a homestead.
We read of Cain in Genesis 4, that he “built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch.” He hebrew word for city is “ir”, from the word “ur” (pronounced ‘oor’). Ur means “to rouse oneself/awaken/incite”, making the word “ir” to mean “the place of waking” or “the place of guarding”. This concept probably stems from those that wanted to live in close proximity and they set up a watch, or guard to keep an eye out for danger. Initially this danger was probably from the animal kingdom, but eventually a community would have to watch out for human invaders as well.
As man learned to build homes and saw the value of hedging to protect his crops from animals, he would have began to build walls around his settlement. It would have been natural for most of these settlements to consist of families (since growing up and moving away wouldn’t have been a concept for a few thousand years!), and the ruling pattern of family in general would have extended to the community. As disputes arose, the problems would be taken to the elders who were also the fathers of the communities. Consider for instance that my 2nd cousin and I might have a dispute, and though his father and my father wouldn’t be recognized as an unbiased judge, our mutual great grandfather would!
3)What/who initiated the first government which led men to take rule over families or tribes?
As is to be expected, geographical landscapes also played their part in this story. There are regions made for farming and regions not made for farming. When men began to multiply, the farming areas (for instance, the Fertile Crescent/Mesopotamia/Nile region of Egypt) would become congested. This would attract bandits and armed invaders to the area. After all, why put the “brow-sweating” work into growing food if the guy in the valley will do it and you can just steal it?
This necessitated protection. Those that were gifted in abilities to fight and defend the communities would have been upheld as heroes and invaluable to the community. Let’s say a man named Nimrod built a fortified city where those that lived there could depend upon him for protection in exchange for food, or valuables. Nimrod would quickly become rich and powerful. Eventually, Nimrod could build a small army of men that defended not only his city, but the villages within a few miles of his city. Nimrod would have not extended his protection to a “region”. With tribute coming in from those under his protection, Nimrod eventually would have become unchallengable. At this point, Nimrod has become a dictator and his region of protection has become the first “kingdom”. This is what we find in Genesis 10:8-10:
“And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter (provider) before (or against, literally “in the face of”) Adonai: wherefore it is said, ‘Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before Adonai’. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.”
Nimrod is the first recorded king in the Scriptures. He was a mighty one (Heb. gibor) in the land. As you would expect, most of the people living in the walled cities weren’t vegetarians (haha!), and game wasnt’ running freely inside the walls, so a great hunter was able to provide food for those in his kingdom.
For those outside, this didn’t look like a bad deal. I’ll be given a safe place where my family and I can grow crops, Nimrod will protect us and provide food/skins/leather/etc. for us. All I have to do is pay a tribute. Outside, I’m on my own and who knows what I’ll run into over the next hill. This is how kingdoms began (and still do).
I hope this helps Chayil!
Shalom
Thank you so much! You are a well of information! I’ve had to read that a few times to grasp it all since you pack so much in your responses. Actually, though, I need to apologize for going so far off topic, but as I began reading about Abraham’s Covenant, you mentioned the first governments and my “need to know” wouldn’t stop!
If I dare push you a little further (you don’t need to respond if you’re too busy), you said: “In this sense, we can see that government is not evil in principle. In fact, when righteousness rules a nation, government is good and provides peace and security; but when the nation is ruled by wickedness, instability and struggle are it’s trademarks.”
Prov 14:34 says “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” What constitutes “righteousness”? Does this mean if a national/government leader is a believer, we can expect the nation to prosper? And, conversely, if an unbeliever rules the nation, does this mean the nation is on a path to losing their good reputation?
Can you help me/us understand what God looks for in a national leader? Should a believer vote for someone who does not have a relationship with the Lord?
We can look back in US history from its very beginnings and see God’s hand of blessing on this country. There is strong evidence that most national leaders had a strong reverence for and often a very compelling relationship with the Lord. Sprinkled through the line of national leaders over the past 200+ years, we see a digression of faith-filled leaders while there are more and more men and women being elected to office who lack the knowledge of and dedication to Godly principles. How should a believer vote?
Maybe I need to turn off FOXNews and vote my conscience and not worry about it. Ha! I just am really concerned about people (including me) not understanding what God wants in a leader and how we can vote His will as opposed to the popular trend.
Thanks John!
Chayil
Chayil,
I think you’re right in that the level of this nation’s (America) success has been proportionate to the level of the faith of our leaders in the God of Israel. I wish the days of those leaders of the past would return. When a man believes the God of the Bible in a strong faith today, he’s considered “unelectable”. That’s unfortunate.
You asked the question, “what is righteousness?” In the article “Straight as an Arrow”, I showed how Biblically the definition of righteousness is the keeping of the commandments. When we obey God’s commandments, we’re righteous; when we disobey them, we’re sinful. This is no different for a nation than it is for an individual. When a nation upholds the commandments of God (meaning provides and enforces laws that support the teachings of the Scriptures), then the nation is considered righteous. The weightier matters of Torah (love, justice, mercy, compassion, etc) should be the trademarks of a godly nation. But when judicial systems are undermined to oppress the poor, or when blatant actions condemned in Scripture are condoned by our laws, the nation slips from it’s place of glory.
I should point out that when Proverbs says that “righteousness exalts a nation”, its not just referring to the leader, or leaders. Though the leadership plays a pivotal part, righteousness must be innate in the people of the nation itself. In fact, in our political system, the state of the people determines the type of leadership we possess. If we, as a people, demand godly leaders, we’ll have them. But as long as we tolerate the status quo, we’ll continue to have our godliness eroded away. Our nation needs a revival of true righteousness. We need to return to our Father’s commandments and demand that our leaders (presidents, governors, senators, judges, sheriffs, etc.) do as well! This will exalt this nation again.
In the Scripture, the first thing that a king was commanded to do once he took office was to hand write himself a copy of the Law. The whole thing! Haha! This is because He was expected by His authority to uphold the Torah in the laws and executions of his government office. I think that we’d be in much better shape if our leaders had a similar exercise. The office of the President of the United States of America is supposed to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. We’d be much better off if our leaders had to write out a copy of that Constitution as their first action in office.
As far a whether or not to vote for an unbeliever or not, or choices these days are getting really thin. What constitutes a believer? A profession? A confession? Saying “God” and “Jesus”? The Bible is not a book of theological debate; its a book of action! We must look at the actions of those in the ring for office, not what their “political advisor told them to say to gain the most percentage of votes”. Look for action. What does the person’s life say about him/her? Vote for godly action!
What does God look for in a godly leader? When Solomon became king in the place of the great King David, He prayed to God that God would give “his servant an understanding heart to judge His people.” (1 Kings 3:9) Solomon saw Himself as a servant of God, and he saw the people as belonging to God as well. He wanted to lead God’s people in God’s way. The next verse tells us that this “pleased Adonai”(vs. 10). This is still what God looks for in a leader–humility and understanding. Anything other is counterfeit.
Here’s another questions for you, too.
“In the same day Adonai made a covenant with Abram, saying ‘Unto your seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The [land of the] Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaims, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.” (Gen. 15:18-21)
Where are these borders today and how do they relate to Israel today? Do you believe God will restore these borders to Israel when the Messiah returns?
Thanks,
Chayil
Chayil,
The borders listed here in Gen 15 are much bigger than the modern state of Israel. The northern borders extended as far as the southern reaches of modern day Turkey! This is all of modern day Lebenon and the western side of modern day Syria. The southern borders were from “the river of Egypt”, which most scholars believe is the Wadi et Arish, not the Nile. The eastern border is the Dead Sea following the Jordan River up to the Lake Gennesaret. The Mediterranean Sea being the obvious western border.
So all of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, the Golan Heights and more belong to Israel by promise of Adonai. We find the division of the Land when Messiah returns spelled out for us in Ezekiel 47. The land described here matches what was promised to Abraham in Gen 15 with possibly a little extra! Haha!
So if God’s Word is any indication, and it is (!), then yes, God will restore these borders to Israel when the Messiah returns!
I want to finish my touhght here. If God treated us fairly Jesus would have never died on the cross. and we would have never been offered salvation. I praise God that He loves me, He never fails me and He goes to plan B and on. Look ho w He blessed Israel, they sinned and went away from God countless times, but He was faithful and loved them any way. Romans 5:8 But God commended His love toward us, in that while we were sinners Christ died for us. Praise be to God!
Thanks so much for giving us all good insight on governments and elections in God’s economy! After you get a chance to talk about my last question, I’ve got a few more comments which are back on topic!
Genesis 12:1 says, “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country2 and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.’” This blew me away when I first contemplated it. This guy picked up his wife and just took off, not even knowing where he was going. Simple obedience at it’s best! Verse 4 confirms that Abram obeyed: “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.”
You said, “This is the root of our missionary activities in the earth. All nations are welcomed into a relationship with the God of Abraham based upon God’s promise to Abraham beginning here in Gen 12. As we declare God’s message, all the various ethnic groups of the earth begin to bless Abraham and His God. This brings them under the blessing promised to the nations!”
So as believers we carry the blessing and are blessed when we obey God’s command to “go into all the world”.
That’s so cool how the Messiah’s commission to all believers was a reaffirmation of God’s commission to Abram, even before the Law (lest anyone should think it is done away with). There is no excuse for us not being a blessing to the nations.
Why, then, are believers in the US more focused on building programs, high tech audio/visual capabilities, etc, when there are still ethnic groups who have not heard the message? I don’t expect you to answer that, but it is really something that bothers me. In my opinion, it should bother EVERY believer in the US who is satisfied hiding behind stained class windows or who derives a sense of accomplishment in multi-million dollar building programs.
Looking forward to reading more from you. Your style is easy to understand and it’s almost like sitting in a room talking to you when I read your stuff. Thanks for sharing.
-CS
Chayil,
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, our commission to go to every tribe/nation, language group, ethnic group and culture IS to fulfill the promises made to Abraham! That Abraham would become the father of many nations is fulfilled as we obey the Great Commission. If you picture a world map in your mind’s eye and see the message of the gospel spread from Jerusalem on that Pentecost morning and begin to cover the earth, THAT’s Abraham’s covenant coming to fruition! And WE get to be a part of that–that’s what’s cool to me! We have the responsibility and the privilege to spread the message about the Seed of Abraham Himself–Yeshua!
So it’s all the more shameful when our richer 1st World nations are more concerned about the clear coat finish on the handcrafted oak pew than we are about spreading the message–the very thing we were commanded to do. But the great thing about it is that more and more believers are waking up and shaking the dust of apathy off. Normal everyday believers are heading to Guatemala and Haiti, India and Sudan! There’s a waking coming to the Body of Messiah, and our materialistic slumber is being thrown off! God is raising an army of obedient sons and daughters that don’t care about handcrafted oak, but they care about our brothers and sisters in jails, prison camps and leper colonies! This army is learning the true value of the weightier matters and we’re simply not settling for anything less anymore!
And I hope that’s you, Chayil, and anybody else who takes the time to read these articles, blogs and comments. YOU are called to the Great Commission. YOU are called to strengthen your brothers around the world. YOU are called to proclaim the message of God’s Kingdom and His dominion to all those who have never heard it before. That’s YOU and ME!
THAT makes me excited!
Thanks Chayil,
John
I often believe that I have been such a mpaspiointdent. But, know that when God sees me he sees Jesus. But, here is what I often think about. If God sees Jesus who died for all of our sins, what does Jesus see when he looks down on earth. I try so very hard to be a good person and when I try really hard, I fail. But, when I run to Jesus to say I am sorry, he holds out his arms takes me into a tight hug and tells me it is okay. Go try again but, let me help you. Each day is better than the day before.