| The Emblem of a King's Rule |
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Hebrews 1:8-9 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” Emblem of rule What does this “scepter” tell us about the nature of Christ’s authoritative rule? Further, how might a pastor utilize the concept represented by that scepter to convey a Biblical worldview of how we are to relate to God? The various elements of throne room metaphor are intended to vivify ethereal and spiritual aspects through tangible objects. As citizens in 21st century Western democracies, we lack comparable artifacts. However, these basic forms and symbols of monarchial rule that prevailed in the ancient Near East have similarities with the (formerly British) Commonwealth of Nations, and we are perhaps somewhat familiar with these. We see them displayed in movies also (The Lord of the Rings, for example), but we may not fully grasp their significance.
The artistic features of the king’s scepter display the ideals that are to characterize his decision-making, anchoring them in honorable principles with no biased favoritism. The scepter is a visual reminder of his commitment to rule with integrity, even though the reality may differ. If his heart is good, then his rulings reflect this fact, and the people know that they are blessed to live in his realm. To them, their king’s scepter becomes a cherished sight. But, how do the scepter and the associated elements of the monarchal rule (re)shape our worldview? As pastors we are tasked with bridging Biblical truth set within the ancient Near-East world to our contemporary postmodern culture, which is shaped by the guiding values of personal autonomy and the pursuit of self-fulfillment. Indeed, we in America embrace the principal that government exists of the people, by the people, and for the people. To that end, liberty leads one in the direction that the human nature dictates, and corporately, without a prevailing Gospel-centric worldview, this kind of freedom is not typically grounded in righteousness – the emblem and direction of Christ’s rule. Pastors must answer the question, What does this contrast in perspectives mean for the people of God today? Our constitutional republic may be shaped by the consent of the governed, yet this is not to be the case with the Church before her King. We are to see ourselves as living under Jesus’ Lordship, and we must teach from the Scriptures the things that God loves and the things He hates (Heb. 1:9). Jesus is the preeminent reigning King, unlike any other history has ever known. He adjudicates based on absolute standards established by His holy character. He administers His Kingdom with zeal for furthering righteousness into every corner of His expanding realm. Further, He is not susceptible to variation, as were Israel’s kings of old. Even more, His rule is not affected by anything outside Himself, for He needs no advisors. As we live in fidelity to Him, we need not fear advocating the King’s moral standards as represented in His law of liberty (James 1:25; 2:12).
The scepter reminds us that we must be an extension of the King’s righteous rule, especially in a day when this is not the norm. We readily acknowledge that the Lord loves the humble, but resists the proud, that He takes a special interest in the widow and orphan and is angered by those who oppress them. But, He also loves true weights and measurements and hates the false (Lev 19:36), and He expects people to keep their promises (Hosea 10:1-4). In short, He loves to see righteousness prevail in all of its applications (Deut. 6:25). As His people, we are to live according to His way of life. This is more than a religion of moralism for it involves abiding in Jesus Christ, the One Who holds the scepter of righteousness. Pastor, your people need to think in these terms.
For more insight to this topic, get the book, The Insider, by Jim Petersen and Mike Shamy, from our online store. Or read the article, “The North Star of Biblical Worldview,” by T. M. Moore.
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The scepter is part of a broader picture, that of a king seated on his throne, rendering verdicts and issuing commands that affect the course of his realm. As an adjudicator, he commands the attention of his assembled court, which is either impressed or disheartened by his discernment and whether it is tempered with mercy. As a chief administrator, his government executive heads and military officers form opinions of whether he exhibits uncommon skill or not. The quality of a king’s accumulative decisions shapes whether he is one who is righteous, affirming what is good and rejecting what is wicked, thus fixing his persona in the people’s hearts.
Pastors are called to minister the righteousness of Christ, and to advance His rule, in a day when such thinking flies in the face of the spirit of the age. Pastors must help their congregations not to be overly cynical or overly enthralled by the nation’s leaders. Contrast Jesus’ kingship with the rulers that world history has known. Governing officials each have various degrees of understanding and commitment to the Law of the Lord, whether they explicitly acknowledge it or not. Those that are corrupt use their judicial and administrative power not according to the Kingdom’s ethics, but with political cunning, to garner and guard their power, often to promote a different worldview. Their advisors incessantly seek more influence. In doing so, their decisions are often unprincipled and pragmatic. Sounds familiar? People are not stupid, and they detect with ease whether rulers exercise their power for themselves or for the blessing of the people.
