How does Jeremiah 25:9 connect to Romans 13:1 about authority? Opening the Texts “Behold, I will summon all the families of the north,” declares the LORD, “and My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will send against this land and against its inhabitants and against all these surrounding nations. I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and scorn, an everlasting desolation.” “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been appointed by God.” God’s Sovereign Appointment of Authority • In Jeremiah 25:9 God calls Nebuchadnezzar—an idolatrous, pagan king—“My servant.” • Romans 13:1 states the universal principle that every governing authority is “appointed by God.” • The same divine hand behind Judah’s discipline in Jeremiah is the hand Paul cites when urging believers to submit to Rome. • Whether ruler or empire acknowledges Him or not, God remains the ultimate Author of their rise (Daniel 2:21). Seeing the Connection 1. Nebuchadnezzar illustrates Romans 13:1 in action. • God raises a ruler: “I will summon…My servant Nebuchadnezzar.” • Paul explains why we submit: “there is no authority except from God.” 2. Purpose behind the appointment: • Jeremiah: discipline and judgment on covenant breakers (Jeremiah 25:8–11). • Romans: preservation of order and restraint of evil (Romans 13:3–4). • The same God uses authority both to correct His people and to protect society. 3. Scope of God’s sovereignty: • Jeremiah shows He controls international politics. • Romans affirms that all existing authorities, local or imperial, fall under that same sovereignty. Other Scriptural Witnesses • Proverbs 21:1 — “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will.” • Isaiah 45:1 — God calls Cyrus, another pagan king, “His anointed.” • Daniel 4:17 — “The Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes.” • 1 Peter 2:13–14 — Submit “for the Lord’s sake to every human institution.” • Acts 4:27–28 — Even hostile rulers unwittingly fulfill “what Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.” Implications for Us Today • Recognize that every leader—righteous or unrighteous—holds office by divine permission. • Submission is rendered not because rulers are flawless, but because God is sovereign. • Like Judah, God’s people may find themselves under uncomfortable authority, yet His purposes stand firm (Romans 8:28). • Obedience to earthly authority becomes an act of worship toward the heavenly King, provided it does not contradict His revealed commands (Acts 5:29). Jeremiah 25:9 gives flesh to Romans 13:1: the historical example of Nebuchadnezzar proves the timeless truth that God appoints every authority and works through them to accomplish His righteous plans. |
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