When to Obey: Navigating the Tension Between Divine Command and Earthly Authority
In this article, you will learn how 1 Peter 2:13 contradicts Acts 5:29, Exodus 1:17, Daniel 3:18, Daniel 6:10, Esther 4:16 and Matthew 2:12. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The question of when to obey human authority and when to prioritize divine command presents a significant moral and religious dilemma. In 1 Peter 2:13, Christians are encouraged to submit to human authorities, such as kings, as a form of obedience to God. This instruction suggests that being a good citizen is inherently linked to one's faith journey.
However, other biblical narratives present a contrasting perspective. For example, Acts 5:29 boldly proclaims the necessity of prioritizing obedience to God above human directives. This frames a scenario where divine law supersedes earthly mandates, putting believers in a position where they must choose allegiance.
The story of the Hebrew midwives in Exodus 1:17 stands as a testament to moral courage. Defying the king of Egypt’s orders to kill Hebrew baby boys, these women demonstrated that there are circumstances where moral conscience must override compliance with authority.
In the Book of Daniel, we witness multiple acts of defiance against rulers. Daniel 3:18 describes Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego resisting the king's decree to worship an idol, while Daniel 6:10 shows Daniel continuing to pray despite the king’s prohibition. Both instances highlight scenarios where faithfulness to God was deemed more crucial than obedience to human laws.
Similarly, Esther's bold choice in Esther 4:16 to approach the king unsummoned, despite the potential repercussions, and the wise men’s decision in Matthew 2:12 to bypass King Herod’s orders, illustrate moments where following divine wisdom was prioritized over royal edicts.
These stories collectively pose a profound question: When should one submit to human authority, and when should divine commands take precedence? The tension underscores the need for discernment and courage in the face of conflicting allegiances, asking believers to carefully weigh their choices in pursuit of higher spiritual truths.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1 Peter 2:13 | Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; |
| 2. | Acts 5:29 | Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. |
| 3. | Exodus 1:17 | But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. |
| 4. | Daniel 3:18 | But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. |
| 5. | Daniel 6:10 | Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. |
| 6. | Esther 4:16 | Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. [present: Heb. found] |
| 7. | Matthew 2:12 | And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. |