How does Jeremiah 27:6 connect with Romans 13:1 on authority? God’s Sovereignty in Jeremiah 27:6 “ ‘So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I have even given him the beasts of the field to serve him.’ ” (Jeremiah 27:6) • God explicitly says He “placed” the lands under Nebuchadnezzar. • Nebuchadnezzar is called “My servant,” though he was a pagan ruler. • Even the animals are included, underscoring total, literal control. Takeaway: Political power, even in the hands of unbelievers, is granted and directed by God Himself. The Principle Restated in Romans 13:1 “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are appointed by God.” (Romans 13:1) • “No authority except from God” echoes Jeremiah’s declaration. • “Appointed” (Greek: tetagmenai) stresses deliberate placement, not accident. • Paul writes under Roman occupation; yet he still affirms divine ordering. Takeaway: The New Testament reaffirms the Old Testament truth—God alone installs and upholds every governing power. Threading the Two Passages Together • Jeremiah 27:6 shows God giving authority to a single ruler; Romans 13:1 broadens that to “governing authorities” in general. • Both passages treat human authority as derivative; it flows down from God’s absolute sovereignty (Daniel 2:21; John 19:11). • The word “servant” (Jeremiah) and the phrase “appointed by God” (Romans) demonstrate the same hierarchy: God → ruler → people. Living Under God-Given Authority • Submission flows from recognizing God’s hand behind leaders (1 Peter 2:13-17). • Obedience is not blind; it is conscious acknowledgment of God’s order (Acts 5:29 when rulers command clear sin). • Honor toward leaders is ultimately honor toward the One who placed them (Proverbs 21:1). Key Takeaways • God literally assigns authority—He did it for Nebuchadnezzar, He does it for every ruler today. • Respect and submission are acts of faith in God’s governance, not mere civics. • Because God is sovereign, He can also remove or judge rulers in His timing (Psalm 75:6-7). |
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