To Obey or Not to Obey, That is the Question

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Genesis 50:1—Exodus 2:10
Matthew 16:13–17:9
Psalm 21:1-13 
Proverbs 5:1-6

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Exodus 1:15-17 "Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: 'When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.' But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

For the Christian citizen, there are two primary laws: the law of the land and the Law of God. Ideally, we live in a country where we can obey both, simultaneously.

For instance, God's Word says in Exodus 20: "You shall not murder." The United States of America also has the same law on their books - it is illegal to murder and it carries a stiff penalty. So, as I live out my faith and comply with God's Law, I am also simultaneously complying with my country's laws. This is the ideal situation.

Fortunately, I am blessed to live in a country where I can generally obey both at the same time. Yet, when unjust and unrighteous laws are put on the books, the Christian citizen will be forced to make a decision – to obey the Law of God or obey the laws of man. For the sold-out follower of Jesus, that decision has already been made.

We see this played out in the verses for today. The Israelite midwives were commanded in the laws of the land to murder all of the newborn males. The Law of God (even though it had not yet been written on stone, it was written on their hearts) demanded that they value all life. So they obeyed God's Law and disobeyed man's law. In so doing, they gained the favor of God and were willing to take the consequences from man.

So what is our response to this truth?

- Pray for our governmental leaders. We should pray that they only put into law those commands that will allow us to obey them as we obey God's Word.

- Spend much time in God's Word so that you know what it says and can obey it. When God's Word conflicts with man's laws, calmly exercise civil disobedience (many of the Civil Rights Movement leaders did this).

- Pray regularly for our persecuted brothers and sisters who live in countries where obeying God Word puts them in direct opposition to the laws of the land and the government that enforces it.

The Christian and Civil Disobedience

As followers of Jesus, our desire is to obey God's law while also obeying the laws of the land in which we live. Yet, there may be times when God's law conflicts with society's laws. 

In those cases, a follower of Jesus is forced to make a decision: 1) Disregard God's law and obey the law of the land, or 2) respectively disregard the law of the land (civil disobedience) and obey God's law.

For the child of God, the latter is the only option. In doing so, it becomes obvious who the true people of influence (leaders) are.

Exodus 1:15-17 (New Living Translation)
"Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: 'When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.' But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king's orders. They allowed the boys to live, too."


As I continued my daily Bible reading and went to the New Testament, I saw yet another instance of when God's laws conflicted with society's laws. I was reminded that in standing for God's truth and refusing to comply with society's laws that, things will not always turn out well. There will be times when we stand for the truth of God's Word that we will experience negative consequences. In extreme cases, many Christians have been killed for doing so.

But, the true heart of a person of influence (leader) that follows Jesus' teachings does not ultimately look out for their own well-being. They are consumed with a passion to be salt and light (both of these influence their surroundings). They want to prevent moral decay and expose those things that would bring harm upon a person or society.

Many people won't like it when folks stand up for truth. But that's ok. The heart of a follower of Jesus loves others enough to stand for the truth and point others in that direction regardless of the personal loss they may experience.

Matthew 14:3-12 (New Living Translation)
"For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod's brother Philip). John had been telling Herod, 'It is against God's law for you to marry her.' Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias's daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. At her mother's urging, the girl said, 'I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!' Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened."