Av 11
Laws of the Land
“Be subject to every institution of man
because of the Master, whether to the sovereign as supreme, or to governors, as
to those who are sent by him for the punishment of doers of evil, and a praise
for those who do good.” (1Pet 2:13-14 ISR)
I have heard it
stated – don’t remember where – that without rules, regulations, and laws,
there would be nothing but chaos, and I am inclined to agree with that
statement. For example, if there were no
laws pertaining to traffic, vehicles, and the privilege of driving, imagine, if
you would, the chaos and confusion our highways would be in. With no speed limits, no right of ways, no
stop signs, and without any type of highway maintenance, vehicular fatalities
would be numerous. With that being said,
it is easy for us to understand that with the establishment of laws, there is
order and structure instead of chaos and confusion.
Does that give us the
right to ‘break’ the law, if we don’t agree with it? Most certainly not; our opening verse
instructs us to “be subject to every
institution of man”. Just as Torah is
not a smorgasbord for us to take what we like, and leave what displeases us,
neither do we have that option concerning the laws of our country, be it the
United States, or any other nation in our world. Those of us who claim to be children of the
Living Elohim are to above reproach, and examples to others on how to conduct
our lives in compliance with the laws of our land.
When we abide by the
laws of our land (nation, state, county, city), we live at peace, for there is
no chaos or confusion. We have
guidelines and rules as to what we can and cannot do; using again our example
of road traffic, there are speed limits in place for our own safety. When we choose to habitually break the speed
limit, we will eventually be caught, and suffer the consequences. The Scriptures refers to the person who
breaks the law as an “evil-doer” (see our opening verses, as well as Rom 13:3),
and we are instructed to submit to the laws of man just as we do Torah (Rom
13:2).
When we make the
choice and decision to abide by the laws of our nation, we bring honor to the
One who created us. By living our lives
in obedience to the laws of mankind, we further reveal that we are willingly in
compliance and submission to our Elohim, and secure in our relationship with Him.
Obedience is the ultimate key when it comes to our halacha, our daily walk and lifestyle, and it is the basis upon
which we will be judged.
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all men, for sovereigns
and all those who are in authority, in order that we lead a calm and peaceable
life in all reverence and seriousness.”
(1Tim 2:1-2 ISR)
“And seek the peace of
the city where I have exiled you, and pray to יהוה for it, for in its peace you have peace.” (Jer 29:7 ISR)
©2018
No comments:
Post a Comment