In the context of the Bible, the term "policy" is not explicitly mentioned as it is understood in modern governance or organizational contexts. However, the concept of policy, understood as a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual, can be discerned through various biblical narratives and teachings. The Bible provides numerous examples of divine and human policies that guide behavior, governance, and decision-making.

Divine Policy

God's policies are evident throughout Scripture, often manifesting as commandments, statutes, and decrees. These divine policies are designed to guide the moral and spiritual conduct of His people. For instance, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a foundational policy for ethical behavior, establishing principles for worship, interpersonal relationships, and societal order.

In Deuteronomy 6:1-2 , Moses articulates God's policy for Israel: "These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess, so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged."

Human Policy

Human leaders in the Bible also establish policies to govern their people. King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, implemented policies that contributed to Israel's prosperity and peace. His request for wisdom to govern effectively is recorded in 1 Kings 3:9 : "Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?"

Nehemiah provides another example of effective policy-making. As governor of Jerusalem, he implemented policies to rebuild the city's walls and reform the community. Nehemiah 5:14-19 describes his policy of not burdening the people with heavy taxes, demonstrating his commitment to justice and compassion.

Policy in the Early Church

The early church also developed policies to address emerging challenges and ensure orderly conduct. In Acts 6:1-7 , the apostles established a policy to appoint deacons to oversee the distribution of food, allowing them to focus on prayer and ministry of the word. This decision reflects a practical approach to governance and delegation within the church.

The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 is another example of policy-making in the early church. Faced with the question of whether Gentile converts should follow Jewish law, the apostles and elders convened to deliberate and establish a policy that emphasized faith in Christ over adherence to the law, as articulated in Acts 15:28-29 : "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality."

Principles for Policy

Biblical policies are often rooted in principles of justice, mercy, and humility. Micah 6:8 encapsulates these values: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly use the term "policy," it provides numerous examples of divine and human policies that guide behavior and governance. These policies are grounded in principles that reflect God's character and His desire for justice, righteousness, and love among His people.1. (n.) Civil polity.

2. (n.) The settled method by which the government and affairs of a nation are, or may be, administered; a system of public or official administration, as designed to promote the external or internal prosperity of a state.

3. (n.) The method by which any institution is administered; system of management; course.

4. (n.) Management or administration based on temporal or material interest, rather than on principles of equity or honor; hence, worldly wisdom; dexterity of management; cunning; stratagem.

5. (n.) Prudence or wisdom in the management of public and private affairs; wisdom; sagacity; wit.

6. (n.) Motive; object; inducement.

7. (v. t.) To regulate by laws; to reduce to order.

8. (n.) A ticket or warrant for money in the public funds.

9. (n.) The writing or instrument in which a contract of insurance is embodied; an instrument in writing containing the terms and conditions on which one party engages to indemnify another against loss arising from certain hazards, perils, or risks to which his person or property may be exposed. See Insurance.

10. (n.) A method of gambling by betting as to what numbers will be drawn in a lottery; as, to play policy.

POLICY

pol'-i-si: Literally "method of government," and so "ability to manage affairs." In a bad sense, "cunning," "craft," in Daniel 8:25 (sekhel, "understanding"); in a good sense in 1 Maccabees 8:4 (boule, "counsel"); also in the King James Version 2 Maccabees 13:18; 14:29, 31 (methodos, strategema, strategeo), where the Revised Version has "stratagem." Policies occurs in Judith 11:8 the King James Version for panourgema, lit. "readiness for anything," here in a good sense; Revised Version "subtil devices."

7922. sekel -- prudence, insight
... 1), understanding (4), wisdom (1). discretion, knowledge, policy, prudence,
sense, understanding, wisdom, wise. Or sekel {say'-kel ...
/hebrew/7922.htm - 6k

John Augusta and his Policy, 1531-1548.
... BOOK ONE. The Bohemian Brethren. CHAPTER VIII. JOHN AUGUSTA AND HIS POLICY,
1531-1548. As ... Brethren. His policy was clear and simple. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter viii john augusta and.htm

Solomon's Reign.
... He trampled under foot the democratic ideals of the nation and adopted the policy
of oriental despots which tended to make free-born citizens mere slaves of ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xii solomons reign.htm

Conversion
... At this point Gamaliel (Acts 5:34-42) proposes in the Jewish council a new policy,
which was to let the followers of Christ alone, arguing that then they would ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study ii conversion.htm

Introduction
... He made for peace at home and abroad: at home by restraining the excesses of forestars
and tyrants; abroad by opposing the constant war policy against France. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/introduction.htm

Eighteenth Lesson Whose is this Image?'
... When an earthly sovereign sends a viceroy to a distant province, it is understood
that he advises as to the policy to be adopted, and that that advice is acted ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/eighteenth lesson whose is this.htm

On Bk. viii. Chap. 2, 4 (Note 3, Continued). The Causes of the ...
... argued by Hunziker and many others that the persecution had been in Diocletian's
mind for a long time, and that it was but the culmination of his entire policy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/on bk viii chap 2.htm

Bibliography.
... narrative. It throws quite a new light on Augusta's policy and character. ...
1900). The only complete exposition of Zinzendorf's policy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hutton/history of the moravian church/bibliography.htm

Prosperity under Persecution
... Their policy may be short-sighted and their stratagems crooked, nevertheless the
world admires the wisdom of their counsels, and makes light of the craftiness ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

Chapter four
... burg? What new policy have you taken up? Hope ... felt. "We shall certainly bankrupt
the paper with this sort of business policy.". "Do ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter four.htm

Blessed Prosperity Meditations on the First Psalm.
... The lying wiles of the seducer were instantly rejected by our LORD; not so ineffective
are such wiles to many of His people; a little policy rather than the ...
/.../taylor/a ribband of blue/blessed prosperity meditations on the.htm

Policy (3 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) A method of gambling by betting as to what numbers will be drawn in a lottery;
as, to play policy. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. POLICY. ...
/p/policy.htm - 9k

Ahab (85 Occurrences)
... 2. His Foreign Policy: In the days of David and Solomon a beneficial commercial
intercourse existed between the Hebrews and the Phoenicians. ...
/a/ahab.htm - 52k

Claudius (3 Occurrences)
... He reigned for over 13 years (41-54 AD), having succeeded Caius (Caligula) who had
seriously altered the conciliatory policy of his predecessors regarding the ...
/c/claudius.htm - 15k

Omri (16 Occurrences)
... 3. His Foreign Policy: Concerning Omri's foreign policy the Old Testament
is silent beyond a single hint contained in 1 Kings 20:34. ...
/o/omri.htm - 20k

Jeroboam (96 Occurrences)
... Thus he became distinguished as the man "who made Israel to sin." This
policy was followed by all the succeeding kings of Israel. ...
/j/jeroboam.htm - 62k

Menahem (8 Occurrences)
... Menahem resolved on a policy of diplomacy, and, rather than risk a war with the
conqueror of the East, agreed to the payment of a heavy tribute of 1,000 ...
/m/menahem.htm - 13k

Adonijah (28 Occurrences)
... David's fortieth year (1 Chronicles 26:31). David's policy was not altogether
popular with the nation. His assembly (1 Chronicles 28:1 ...
/a/adonijah.htm - 22k

Alexandria (4 Occurrences)
... citizenship. Indeed in several cities, under the Ptolemies, who accepted this
policy, foreigners were even given superiority to natives. ...
/a/alexandria.htm - 31k

Joram (26 Occurrences)
... reigns. I. Ninth King of Israel 1. His Religious Policy: It is difficult
to estimate the religious character of Jehoram. Apparently ...
/j/joram.htm - 27k

Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)
... historical perspective. 1. His Religious Policy: The reign of Jehoshaphat
appears to have been one of unusual religious activity. It ...
/j/jehoshaphat.htm - 51k

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