And the Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes… your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.
II Kings 10:30 ESV
Today as we face unlawful government mandates and anarchy in many US cities, we must recall the history of Jehu (I Kings 16—II Kings 10), who was anointed King to rid Israel of Ahab, an unrighteous king who abused his power.
This problem of power and how it can be addressed is an age-old problem. It was a major issue among the Founders as they wrestled the concerns of each colony in crafting the Constitution. Thomas Burke acknowledged this when, in a letter to Governor Caswell reporting on the Constitutional Convention, he wrote:
The more experience I acquire, the stronger is my conviction, that unlimited power can not be safely trusted to any man or set of men, on earth, … power of all kinds has an irresistible propensity to increase a desire for itself. It gives the passion of ambition a velocity which increases in its progress, and this is a passion which grows in proportion as it is gratified.*
The tripartite structure of our Constitution is a safeguard to limit power of corrupt individuals and governments, and to protect citizens against tyranny.
Remember: God’s Hand is still upon America. God stewards the reputation of His own people. God applies His law over institutions.
Teach the Children:
- We are required by God to steward and apply the Gospel to the whole of life.
- Remind the upcoming generation of God’s goodness to the United States of America, especially for the gift of liberty.
- Proclaim this gift of liberty to the world!
This Discerning Moment is excerpted from Summer 2020 lectures by Gai Ferdon, Ph.D., Professor, Helms School of Government, Liberty University.
*Please read the entire letter from Thomas Burke to Richard Caswell here.