The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent -agent- during the 2007-2008 League.
A Biblical Study of Civil Government
Civil government is the governing of a citizenry and the providence of authoritative direction and control. God gives us instructions through the Bible as to how this institution ought to be conducted.
The first time in the Bible that a God-ordained earthly government is set in place is the government of the nation of Israel. This organization is detailed in Exodus 18:13-26. Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, is visiting Moses and advises him in matters of administration:
Select capable men from all the people-men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain-and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied." Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
There are several key concepts in this passage that provide insight into how civil government is to be organized. The first of these that jumped out at me is the clear centralization of power.
Even when Moses delegated authority to other men, only he selected them. These men were given limited authority and power, and thus Moses was able to delegate much of his role as a judge. There was a centralization of authority in Moses, but he did not have a monopoly on it. This is, in my opinion, a clear example of separation of powers.
The second thing that caught my attention in this passage is the description of men that are to be the officials. Verse 21 tells us that these men were to be capable, trustworthy, incorruptible, and God-fearing. The second tenet of government that we can draw from this passage is this: Governmental leaders are to possess the qualities described in Verse 21.
Together, the separation yet partial centralization of power and authority and the leadership of godly men formed a strong civil government for the nation of Israel. The Bible provides us with these and other clear instructions on how civil government is to be conducted; it is most profitable to heed them.
