God's Government
Deuteronomy 4 v 39
God the creator, the God of Israel, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ and the God who speaks through the scriptures is the only one true living God (Deut. 5 v 7). God is the supreme governor over all (Exodus 15 v 18, Psalm 47 v 2, 103 v 19, Revelation 19 v 6).
In Deuteronomy 5 v 9, 10 we can see some aspects of God's government:
- It is a government in which God is actively involved, it speaks in v 9 of God visiting. God has not created the world and all in it, to then leave it. God is actively at work in His government over all in this world.
- It is a righteous government. The people of this world may ignore their and other people's sin but God doesn't. God being longsuffering is not a forgetfulness of people's sins against Him. Sometimes in this life God punishes people for their sins but in His final judgement, His righteous government will be seen in His just punishment of all sin (visiting iniquity v 9).
- It is a merciful government. It speaks in v 10 of God shewing mercy to thousands. Punishment of sins is just but mercy to sinners is undeserved and can only be experienced by faith in Christ.
- It is universal government. We see at the end of v 9 and in v 10, it's a government over both those that love God and those that hate God. It is a government over every generation, everyone until the end of the world.
How foolish then it is not to acknowledge God's government, "Woe unto him that striveth with his maker!" (Isaiah 45 v 9).