Proverbs 24:22
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For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
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The blessed God hates those who criticize or resist authority, especially civil government. He condemns even associating with such people (24:21). Here He promises sudden calamity and ruin on them both - the leaders and followers of rebellion and sedition. The fear of God and respect of civil government go together - it is impossible to rightly fear God and yet be critical of His appointed authority (24:21). See the comments on 24:21.
Solomon warned his son to fear God and the king (24:21). We fear God first; but we fear the king as well, because his authority is from God. To resist the king - or any civil authority - is to resist God and His ordinance (Rom 13:1-2). We obey the government for two reasons - fear of punishment from both God and the ruler (Rom 13:3-7). Those wanting to change government have two potent and terrible enemies - God and the king!
Submission to civil authority is true Christianity. Peter taught the same - fearing God and honoring the king go together. He wrote that we are bound by duty to God and man to submit ourselves to every ordinance of civil government (I Pet 2:13-17). He condemned thinking or speaking evil of government as marks of ignorant reprobates and brute beasts, cousins to sodomites, needing to be taken out and shot (II Pet 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10).
There is a God in heaven! Though men accuse, criticize, despise, ridicule, and undermine civil rulers in private, He sees it all. And the terrible God of heaven will repay! He does not care if you are a promoter of disrespectful thoughts and speech, or a mere follower and willing listener. Calamity and horrific ruin of both parties will occur soon! Give God the glory! The vicious rabid dogs barking against civil government will be put down!
Why are some men in such trouble in their lives, families, and businesses? One certain reason can be their wicked attitude and speech toward government. God is not mocked. It hardly matters what they try to do; nothing is going to work. God is against them. They cannot disrespect His appointed authority and get away with it. Why are some men so blessed in their lives, families, and businesses? One certain reason can be their peaceful and reverent submission to government. God blesses and rewards the righteous!
How can God or the king know of a disrespectful and rebellious subject? Solomon wrote, "Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter" (Eccl 10:20). Rebellious words travel far! And the great God also sees the very thoughts and intents of the heart - He will punish those who criticize matters far too high for them.
Is the point overblown? Lucifer, the anointed cherub of God, will be tormented forever in the lake of fire for rebellion against authority - the rule of Almighty God! Miriam, the dear sister of Moses, spoke only once against his authority, and God made her white with dreaded leprosy (Num 12:1-15)! Korah, and even the wives and children of the rebels, were swallowed alive by the earth for merely speaking against Moses (Num 16:1-34)!
Absalom rebelled against David, so the LORD caught him by his head in a tree for Joab's dart practice (II Sam 18:9-18)! Adonijah did not give sufficient respect to the new king, so Solomon had his own brother killed (I Kgs 2:12-25)! Joab murdered competitors for his office, so Solomon killed him, his first cousin (I Kgs 2:28-34). Shimei cursed David; and though David forgave him, Solomon eventually had him killed (I Kgs 2:35-46).
Zedekiah ignored Jeremiah's warnings and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar; for that offence he had to watch his sons killed before him, and then his eyes were put out (II Kgs 25:1-7). The rebellious Jews revolted against Rome, which sent Titus to destroy their city and temple and bring upon them greater tribulation than the world ever has or will see.
Is the point overblown? Angels, far greater in wisdom and might, do not bring railing accusations against wicked rulers in the earth (II Pet 2:11). Why should a foolish man, who knows nothing of the weighty decisions of his leaders? But the angels do check hair length on women, to see if they show public submission to their husbands (I Cor 11:10).
Speaking lightly about parents was worthy of death in God's estimation (Deut 27:16). Those who cursed their parents were put to death severely (20:20). And God considered a mocking face toward parents to be worthy of horrible judgment (30:17). The blessed God defends His appointed authorities and punishes the disrespectful. Is the point overblown?
How do you speak of the President? With reverence, or disdain? Do you joke about him or other officials? What do you read about the government - supportive or critical? Do you pay taxes respectfully? Do you wickedly imagine a conspiracy in every decision they make? Do you criticize new laws? With what kind of people do you discuss government?
You rebel! If a parent, do you want your children criticizing your every decision, ridiculing your every weakness, and sowing unrest in your other children? If a husband, do you want your wife mocking your authority to others? If an employer, do you want your employees organizing a union to attack and undermine your position and business?
The root cause of disrespect to authority is pride and rebellion - the devil's sins (13:10; I Tim 3:6). It is not principle; it is pride and rebellion. Men do not evade taxes for principle, but for covetousness and greed. There are lawful and peaceful means to pursue principle, but their tactics prove their ambition. God will crush proud and rebellious men.
Saints pray for rulers and do all they can to live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty, regardless of how pagan or wicked (Jer 29:4-7; I Tim 2:1-4). They do not despise government. They know God or the king will be coming soon to wreck vengeance on every such rebel. They know His blessing is on those who revere authority.
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