Obey, or Pay – The Purpose of the Law

Obey, or Pay

Daniel 4:27

“Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

Even those who babble on against God need His Law.

Nebuchadnezzar was no friend of God. He destroyed the temple of God and razed Jerusalem, carrying off into captivity thousands of God’s people to a pagan land. Daniel was one of them, but, by the grace of God, he was able to achieve a role as adviser to King Nebuchadnezzar. In helping the king to understand a particularly troublesome dream, Daniel warned him that it was a message from God. The king needed to repent of his sin, turn away from his iniquities, and practice righteousness, mercy, and justice in ways that were pleasing to God. Failure to do so would bring calamity. And, in Nebuchadnezzar’s case, failing to obey, he suffered tremendously. But here’s where he ended up; this is the conclusion to the decree he published throughout his empire: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (v. 37). Did God intend for Nebuchadnezzar, the very template of a pagan king and enemy of God, to live in obedience to His Law? It seems clear that He did, and that He was prepared to do some pretty heavy leaning on the king to get him to come around and see the light. What do you think? Has God changed His mind about this?

Does God still pour out judgment against kings and nations today (Rom. 1.18-32)? Do you think this has anything to do with their conduct in His sight?

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“In the Gates” is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: The use of a translation other than the Authorised Version in an article does not constitute an endorsement in whole or in part by The Christian Observer.