Ruminating

Patrick Henry said:

A great part of that order which reigns among mankind is not the effect of government. It had its origin in the principles of society, and the natural constitution of man. It existed prior to government, and would exist if the formality of government was abolished. The mutual dependence and reciprocal interest which man has in man and all the parts of a civilized community upon each other create that great chain of connection which holds it together. The landholder, the farmer, the manufacturer, the merchant, the tradesman, and every occupation prospers by the aid which each receives from the other, and from the whole. Common interest regulates their concerns, and forms their laws; and the laws which common usage ordains, have a greater influence than the laws of government. In fine, society performs for itself almost everything that is ascribed to government.


Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2:13 apply in this context, as does Romans 2:14, 15.

Seems to me, the typical believer today cannot even consider life without the presence of Government writ large! Their thought tends to be, “…without government there would be anarchy…” and quickly rush to Judges 17:6 and 21:25, forgetting Israel was divinely ordained as a Theocracy with Republican overtones, such that political self-government was not an option. They also forget the divine injunction regarding Monarchy in 1 Sam. 8.

One suspects today’s believer longs to live under an Old Covenant context and fears the glory of the New Covenant!