Rulers Schooled

^{This is a post about God's dealings with unrighteous rulers:}

⁷    “He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous;     

       But with kings on the throne     He has seated them forever, and they are exalted.
⁸    “And if they are bound in fetters,     And are caught in the cords of affliction,
⁹    Then He declares to them their work     And their transgressions, that they have magnified themselves.
¹⁰    “He opens their ear to instruction,     And commands that they return from evil.
¹¹    “If they hear and serve Him,     They will end their days in prosperity     And their years in pleasures.
¹²    “But if they do not hear, they shall perish by the sword     And they will die without knowledge."

Job 36:7-12

I had mentioned this verse in a discussion last week about those in 'power' who seem to think that they are the top petunias in the garden, that some act up and think they can do anything they want.
Look at the verses above. God is watching the righteous, watching to see how they are being treated by those who hold sway over their lives.
Those rulers-kings, presidents, premiers, straw bosses, etc. have to do right by their constituents, or God, Who sees all and knows all, will whup on them, declaring to them their transgressions. Big Heads.
Because He is a Merciful God, He will open their ear to instruction, and give them a chance to repent.
If they do, well and good. Prosperity. Pleasures.
But no hear-much to fear-sword time. C-yah.
You might ask for examples. King Saul springs first to mind. Pharaoh in Egypt. Adolph Hitler (sidenote-what would the History channel do without Hitler? He's on more shows than Simon Cowell!).
How about King George the 3rd? Nicolae Ceausescu? Mussolini? Are you catching the drift, citizens?
As Christians, we are commanded to obey those placed in power over us, whether they are good or bad or downright evil. We honor God by being good citizens. Which often leads to Christians shooting at Christians, as happens in most wars. It is quite possible that a German Christian ruled by Hitler killed or was killed by an American Christian soldiering under FDR...and that they now stand together in heaven, worshiping God.
I pray for President Obama often-that he will repent of his sins and seek God. I would love to see him in Heaven. I don't want anyone to go to hell.
What's good for the Grander is good also for the commoners-repent and seek God. End your days in prosperity and your years in the pleasures of knowing God. amen.