Does God want to rule over us and control our lives? Is His oversight anything like earthly kings that demand obedience or else? Is God’s kingdom an absolute that deletes all variables?
Ideas like these can complicate acceptance of God-in-Christ and have caused many over the centuries to shy away from the intimate fellowship that is available with our heavenly Father, maybe even someone you know. Certainly, some even insist, “Doesn’t Scripture say God will rule with a rod of iron?”
Forced Rule or Shepherding Care?
Two often quoted verses say: “Thy rod and staff, they comfort me” and “Who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron” (a) [See end notes for all Scriptures]. Thus, Bibles indicate God rules with a rod of iron; the original language of Scripture does not. While God is the Eternal Spirit and is superior to us in every way, His superiority does not cause Him to force His ways on anyone.
Looking deeper, the Old Testament word translated ‘rod’ in the quoted verse is the Hebrew shebet. The most common meaning is ‘tribe’ and was translated as such in the KJV 141 times. The word shebet speaks of ‘a gathering, a group’. Shebet is a gathering and steadying factor.
The word ‘rod’ in the New Testament verse comes from the Greek rhabdos which means ‘a stabilizer.’ This word is translated as ‘rod, staff and scepter.’ Additionally, the Greek word we read as ‘rule’ means ‘to tend as a shepherd.’
So, Scripture actually says; “Thy gathering and shepherd’s staff, they comfort me” and “Who is to shepherd, all nations with a stabilizing staff.” God’s oversight is as a caring shepherd.
Rather than forced rule, God’s oversight is as a caring shepherd.
How God ‘Rules’
Our heavenly Father loves us with a love that is purer and stronger than any human love (b). He cares for us so much, He lowered Himself to live and die among us as a man so He could clarify how, in His eyes, we are forgiven (c). And, this is in spite of our human tendency to turn from Him!
Yes, God rules (Hebrew – mashal) over nations, making them great and destroying them (d). He also establishes and removes Kings (e). Yet, no such passage in Scripture clearly says God rules over the individual life of kings or our lives, in such a manner.
Rather, the kingdom of God in the earth functions as a guiding influence. It has never been a forced rule on any person in the past nor will it be in any future (whosoever will may come). Instead, the presence of God seeks to lead and guide our personal lives. Many are chosen; however, we are free to choose our response.
The presence of God seeks to lead and guide us; we are free to choose our response.
‘Real’ Christianity
Yes, God desires each of us to willingly receive and respond to His guidance. He places the spirit of life in every person as a deposit of Himself (f). This spirit in us came from God and sooner or later, returns to Him (g). And since a deposit of God is already in everyone, we are all equipped with an ability to sense His presence and communicate with Him.
Real Christianity is the ongoing experience of interacting with God-in-Christ (h). Our response to God should be more like an adoring child responding to the instruction of a loving father (i). Because we are His offspring, God’s guidance is available to everyone (k). His influence becomes even more personal when we accept Him as our insightful Father, like Jesus did (m).
Contrary to some thinking, God does not demand obedience and His kingdom in earth is not an absolute that deletes all variables (n). It’s important to understand that our problems and causalities come from someone’s error, natural mishaps, extreme weather, and our lifestyles.
God does not demand obedience; His kingdom in earth is not an absolute that deletes all variables.
How God Leads and Guides
Why should we relate to God and His oversight as an influence that leads and guides, rather than controls? God understands our difficulties and knows how challenging it is for us to respond. Notice the clarity in Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd (o), I shall not want (be needy).
He makes me lie down in green pastures (renewing rest);
He leads me beside quiet waters (refreshing drink).
He restores my soul (think and feel better);
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (this life),
I fear no evil (bad), for You are with me (keeping me safe);
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (as a shepherd).
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil (blessings);
My cup overflows (flows out).
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me (be my result)
All the days of my life (earthly),
And I will dwell (be) in the house of the Lord forever.
As a great Father, God will lead and guide each of us ‘into all the truth’ we are willing to accept (p). How well are we seeking to hear and observe what God is saying and doing today? Are we arising into his perspective, following His insightful lead and experiencing the flowing provision of God-in-Christ in our daily lives?
Are we following God’s insightful lead and experiencing His flowing provision?
a) Psalm 23:94; Revelation 12:5; b) Romans 8:38-39; c) 1 Peter 1:20; Hebrews 4:3; d) 2 Chronicles 20:6; e) Psalm 2:29; f) Genesis 2:7; g) Ecclesiastics 12:7; h) John 17:3; i) Luke 18:16-17; k) Acts 17:22-29; m) John 14:6; n) Matthew 13:1-52, 20:1-16; o) John 10:11, 14-16; p)Mark 4:33; John 16:12; 1 Corinthians 3:2
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder
The Christ Culture author