It is because the duties of subordination are so important to the happiness of those who are to be controlled, as well as to society at large, that God so often and so earnestly urges these duties in the Bible. And we cannot fully realize the force of these directions, unless we bear in mind the state of things that existed when they were written.
In the first place, the kings and rulers over the people, in those times when these directions were given, were not those appointed by themselves, who were to rule according to laws made by the people for their own good, as is the case in this country. Instead of this, the rulers were bad men and cruel tyrants, who by the help of their soldiers gained power and authority by mere strength. And in the family state, the domestics were not, as in this country, persons who for a reward agree to perform the work of the family. On the contrary,
they were white men and women, who were forced against their will into servitude, and driven by stripes and cruelties to work for their masters. Some of these white slaves, it is probable, were from England, the land of our forefathers.
Now what were the directions given by God to subjects, and to domestics, in these circumstances? He did not tell them, that because their rulers and masters were bad men, and had gained power in a wrong way, that they might refuse to obey. On the contrary, God saw that it was best, whenever men gain the power over others, that the weaker ones should submit and obey. He teaches us that the power which men gain over each other in this way, is permitted by God. In Prov. 8: 15, 16, God says, “By me kings rule, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.” This teaches us, that in whatever way it may be, that men gain power to rule over others, so long as they really hold this power, it is by the permission of God. Though he may disapprove of the men, and of the means they use to get power, yet so long
as they hold the power, He sees that it is best for all they govern, to submit and obey. Thus In Eccles. 5: 19, it is said: “Where the word of a king is, there is power, and who may say to him, what doest thou?” Again, in Daniel 2: 20, it is written, “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: and he changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings, and setteth up kings.” Dan. 4: 32, “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Thus it appears that it is by God’s will and appointment, that even bad men gain power to rule over others. And when they have gained this power, the following texts show what God requires in regard to the honour and obedience to be rendered to them.
In Matt. 22: 21, when some men came to Christ asking him whether it was their duty to pay tribute to Cæsar, who was the cruel tyrant then ruling over them. To this, Christ replied, after looking at the tribute money, “Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” This means, render to Cæsar what
he has power to require, just as you render your duties to God.
The Apostle Peter, by God’s authority, also teaches thus, 1 Peter 2: 13, 14, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to kings as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him, for the punishment of evil doers. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.”
This command teaches us that we are to submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. That is, when men have power to make laws, customs and ordinances, we must submit to them for the Lord’s sake—that is, in order to please and obey God. The only cases where it is right to resist is, when we are commanded to do what is sinful. It was on this principle that our forefathers, for a long time, obeyed the laws of the king of England; even when they were bad laws. But as soon as the people found they had power to make their own laws, they appointed rulers of their own, and then they ceased to obey the king of England, who had not power to force them to do it; and obeyed
their own rulers, who had power given them to govern by the people. As soon, then, as it is found, that men have power given them to rule, God requires those under them to submit and obey for the Lord’s sake. This is the wisest and safest way, for it saves from constant fighting and quarrels. In the story of the shipwrecked company, we can see that it would have been better for them all, to submit to be governed by one man, even if he was a bad man, than to continue in the state of uproar, disorder and oppression that existed when there was none to rule over them.