INTRODUCTION
Part II examined the role of God in brethren relationships. It showed that, although God desires to be in a relationship with people who will love him, only God can perform the spiritual surgery on the heart to enable brethren to love God and each other.
We continue the series with an examination of the traits and dispositions of ‘God’s people’ – the Israel brethren, which their father Jacob prophesised, will manifest ‘in the last days’. (See Genesis 49).
The description of the characters and dispositions of Israel’s sons symbolise the type of people one may encounter in diverse brethren relationships ‘in the last days’.
This message commences the analyses of Jacob’s prophecy. It explains first the context of manifestation of the prophecy described as ‘in the last days’. Then it examines the prophecy of the ‘firstborn’ Rueben, in context of Rulers, who represent God’s power over their brethren on the earth.
1. PROPHECY MANIFESTATION: THE CONTEXT
Jacob explains that the prophecies on the traits and dispositions of his sons shall manifest “in the last days” (Genesis 49:1). “In the last days” is a period that is defined by lustful dispositions in people’s conduct and events that are devoid of the spirit of the love for God or the brethren.
The examples provided by the scriptures of the conducts and events occurring “in the last days” include: the presence of “scoffers” or “mockers” walking after their own ungodly lusts; sensual people having not the Spirit. (Jude 1:18-19; 2 Peter 3:3-4). One should expect also to see people who will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, unholy, heartless, and without self-control; and having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
But equally, the period shall also be one in which many shall trust in God to teach them of his ways, including through the knowledge of his son Jesus; and He shall pour out His Spirit on His people. (Hebrews 1:2; Acts 2:17; Isaiah 2:3-4).
Brethren it is important to consider these conducts and events, since the prophecies of Jacob are set in them.
2. RUEBEN: THE ‘FIRSTBORN’ STATUS
Israel says of Reuben “thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power”. The concept of “first born” in this sense is not to be understood literally as of birth right. (1 Chronicles 5:1). It signifies the preferential status that rulers enjoy in relation to God.
For example, although David was not himself literally a ‘firstborn’, God spoke of his Kingship, (and that of Jesus), saying “I will make Him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth”. (Psalm 89:27; Romans 8:29). God uses the concept of ’firstborn’ in reference to earthly rulers.
Thus, Rueben being the firstborn symbolises the character of earthly kings, rulers and leaders and does not mean that the ‘Ruebenite’ or firstborns are the natural designates for leadership.
3. RULERS AS GOD’S FIRSTBORN
The characterisation of the ‘firstborn’ in terms of ‘might’, “excellency of dignity’ and ‘power’, is a symbolism of those God hold in pre-eminence in leadership roles on the earth. They may comprise, earthly monarchs, heads of states, or rulers. The scripture says “let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God”. (Romans 13:1).
Representing therefore the rulership of God over the earth, God’s ‘firstborn’ Rulers are endowed with might, power and authority to govern their subjects who generally comprise families, communities, tribes, organisations and countries. But they also superintend over the duty of care among brethren and ‘God’s people’ who keep the way of the Lord. (Genesis 17:21; 26:1- 4; 28:13-14; 35:10-12).
3.1. THE PRIDE OF POWER
Brethren, since kings and rulers are endowed with the ’excellency of power’ to rule, the potential for them to be prideful is very great. This trait of pride is symbolised in the act of Rueben who, as Jacob explains, “went up to his father’s bed” or “up to his couch”, then he “defiled” it. (Genesis 49:4; 2 Samuel 16:21, 22).
This conduct of Rueben speaks to the disposition of earthly rulers to pursue power-drunken desires and decision-making. Rulers could be consumed by the ‘pride of power’, (a disposition of conduct ‘in the last days’), to fulfil fleshy desires or ungodly purposes; and thereby may defile the reign of God entrusted to them. The ‘pride of power’ can harden the hearts of rulers to the fear of God who is the ultimate ruler of the earth.
3.2. RULERS: “UNSTABLE AS WATER”
Israel says of Rueben, “Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defilest thou it…” (Genesis 49:3-4).
Brethren, rulers who are driven by the ‘pride of power’ to the make decisions or fulfil purposes that are influenced by fleshy desires and devoid of the fear of God, are “unstable as water” and shall not to “excel” in their reign.
The ‘excellency of power’ can delude Rulers to feel like god; and to rely on their own might and judgement to govern the diverse interests and ‘evil hearts’ of their subjects without seeking guidance from the Almighty, whom they represent on the earth.
But note that when “the kings of the earth set themselves together, and Rulers take counsel against the Lord…”, (i.e., against the will and purpose of God for His people), “… the Lord shall have them in derision”. They “shall not excel” that men may know that “JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth (Psalm 2:2-4; 83:3-18; 79:1, 6-7).
To this end, the lustful counsel of the Rulers against God’s people including the three Hebrew Children and Daniel, and King Jehoshaphat and his people came to nought.(see Daniel chapters 3 and 6; 2 Chronicles 20).
4. RULERS IN BRETHREN RELATIONS
Brethren, Jacobs’s prophecy of the ‘first born’ seeks to warn of the pitfalls of leadership in earthly brethren relations. The challenge then is: how should rulers manage the ‘pride of power’ and fleshly desires to ensure that their decisions and actions are within the will and purpose of God to ensure a stable reign? Also how should the brethren relate to human earthly Rulers?
4.1. RESPONSIBILITY TO RULE JUSTLY
Rulers should be mindful that God conferred the “excellency of power” on them by which they enjoy preferential status, dignity and sovereignty in the eyes of God and man. They should understand that the honour comes with the responsibility to rule justly (Psalm 82:1-2, 8). The breach of the responsibility to rule justly caused the division of the kingdom of David under Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:1-24).
Kings and Rulers must therefore exercise self-control over fleshly lust and commit their decision-making to God with the same trust that God has reposed in them with charge over His people. (Psalm 67:4).
4.2. GOD ENDOWS RULERS WITH WISDOM
Rulers should consider this? How could God give Rulers the ‘excellency of power’ and not give the wisdom to rule over the diverse interests committed to their charge? (1 Kings 2: 6, 9).
For example, when Solomon was crowned king, in humility he asked God for himself understanding to discern judgment saying: “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” And God gave him “a wise and an understanding heart” (1 King 3:7-12).
And so it was that “all Israel …: feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to do judgement” (1 Kings 3:28; see 3:16-28)
As God’s ‘firstborn’, rulers should be confident that God’s choice of them comes with the wisdom to rule; and should trust that He will underwrite decisions that are made righteously.
Only pride, lusts, fear and the lack of trust in God would drive rulers to seek or rely on the ungodly counsel from their subjects, over God.
4.3. BRETHREN SHOULD OBEY RULERS
And for all who are subjects of the “excellency of power”, trust God to be righteous and faithful in all things. Do not curse or speak evil of the rulers of the people. You must “obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…”
Consider that “whosoever therefore resisteth power, resisteth the ordinance of God…”. (Exodus 22:28; Hebrews 13:17; Acts 23:5; 1 Timothy 2:2; Titus 3:1; Romans 13:2).
PRAYER
Almighty Father, thank You for Your word.
Gracious Father, We Praise you for the “excellency of power” conferred on our rulers to rule thy people. Deliver them O Lord from the ‘pride of power’ and fleshly lusts. Give them the heart to love your people and help them to trust in your wisdom to guide them in all decision-making.
Help thy people to submit to those who bear rule over them and defend them from the ‘pride of power’.
I make this prayer in JESUS NAME.
Have a blessed week and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 27/12/2020.
