Proverbs 24:21
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My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
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Would you have been a loyalist or a revolutionary in 1776? It is a good question, but beyond the scope of our study. Yet, it can and should be answered slowly and soberly.
Solomon here teaches his son to fear the LORD. The fear of the LORD can be taught, as David shows (Ps 34:11). Since it is the beginning and end of wisdom and knowledge, it ought to be taught first and most (1:7; 9:10; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17; Ps 111:10; Eccl 12:13).
He then adds fear of the king, as both are to be feared. The LORD is placed first, for we must fear Him first; He is feared over the king; and we fear the king because of Him. We fear and obey civil government first out of duty toward God (Rom 13:1-5; I Pet 2:13-17).
As we consider this proverb further, let us define two words seldom used today:
Meddle. To mix or join in company; to mingle, associate with.
We "meddle" with persons when we join or associate with them. God hates those who criticize government, so He condemns mingling with them. We should avoid all of them.
We are "given to" something when we are inclined to it. Some are disposed to criticize and despise government and want to change it. God commands us to avoid all of them.
We cannot be revolutionaries. Government is not by the people: government is by God. If you want to vote for change, then vote for it. But you cannot despise government or support disobedience, for God will judge all such rebels, as the next verse shows (24:22).
Those who criticize, despise, and want to change government are brute beasts, who need to be destroyed, like rabid dogs, according to God (II Pet 1:10-12; Jude 1:8-10). Read well the language used to describe and condemn them, as given by the inspiration of God.
Citizens railing against government are no better than children divorcing parents, wives fighting husbands, and unions striking against employers. It is simple rebellion, and our nation's history of rebellion and hatred of centralized authority promotes it from birth on.
Let us be rather like our Lord Jesus, Who though the King of kings, submitted to Caesar's de facto government's taxing authority and avoided all offence (Mat 17:24-27; 22:15-22).
Given. Inclined, disposed, addicted, prone.
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