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1. Premise that complications are apt to arise, unless we remember —

(1) That the authority of any particular superior is limited to its own sphere.

(2) That all human authority is subordinate to God's, so that in submitting to human authority we are submitting to God's, in resisting we are resisting God's (Romans 13:1, 2; Ephesians 6:5-7; Colossians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:13).

(3) That authority, even within its own limits, is to be used with discretion, not pressed beyond reason, or vexatiously.

2. What right had Jonadab to enjoin upon his descendants the observances specified? His injunctions were those of a founder and legislator.

3. To proceed, then, we have —

(1) Obedience to the laws of our country, a branch of which is obedience to magistrates. This to be rendered "for conscience' sake," and therefore even in cases in which (as the payment of taxes) evasion might be possible (Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-15).

(2) Obedience to the rules of the Church, a branch of which is obedience to ecclesiastical superiors (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13; 1 Timothy 5:17). And by the rules of the Church are to be understood the rules of that branch of the Church in which God has cast our lot.

(3) Obedience to authority in the family. To masters. To husbands. To parents.

(C. A. Heurtley, D. D.)

I

have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking;

but ye hearkened not unto Me. —

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KJV: The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,

WEB: The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying,