Government and Nations—The word nation or nations is found 413 times in the Old Testament and sixty-eight times in the New Testament. Additionally, the word government or governments occurs three times in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament.

Variations: government, governments, nation, nations, plus a whole host of other words that depict the concept of nations, governments, and their rulers

Interesting fact: It is interesting how nations view themselves versus how God views them. Nations measure themselves up against other nations—“we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:33). Conversely, God views nations as they measure up against Him—“Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance . . . All nations before him are as nothing, and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity” (Isaiah 40:15, 17). Obviously, how nations view themselves is irrelevant in light of how God views them.

Bible study tip: The Bible frequently implements the use of if/then clauses. At times, this relationship will be demonstrated by the inclusion of both words (if and then). At other times, the “if/then” clause exists even with the exclusion of the word then (in this case, the “then” is simply understood by the reader). There are many various applications of these clauses, but the context always determines the intended truth conveyed. Consider this example of an “if/then” clause: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word [future action], then are ye my disciples indeed” [present truth] (John 8:31). Sometimes an “if” clause refers to an action to be fulfilled in the future and serves as a proof of the stated truth. Yet, the “then” clause makes a statement about something presently true without reliance upon the “if” clause.

 

Sunday, Day 211—Church Day (no devotional)

Monday, Day 212—The Faithful Citizen

Tuesday, Day 213—The Righteous Leader

Wednesday, Day 214—Church Night (no devotional)

Thursday, Day 215—The Judge, the Lawgiver, and the King

Friday, Day 216—The Sword Bearer

Saturday, Day 217—We Ought to Obey God

Day 211: Church Day

1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;