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Idolatry and Government
Is the Government for some people an Idol?
In the book of Daniel in chapter four verse 17 God lays out an explanation of who he chooses as leaders.
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones, with the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”
George Bernard Shaw wrote, “Government is the organization of idolatry.”
The dictionary defines “idol” as:
- A representation or symbol of worship;
- A false god;
- A pretender or imposter;
- A false conception or fallacy.
An idolater is a worshipper of idols.
In the book Parliament of Whores, P.J. O’Rourke writes:
“We treat the president of the United States with awe. We impute to him remarkable powers. We divine things by his smallest gestures. We believe he has the capacity to destroy the very earth, and – by vigorous perusal of sound economic policy – to make the land fruitful and all our endeavors prosperous. We beseech him for aid and comfort in our every distress and believe him capable of granting any boon or favor?”
According to the prophet Daniel, God apparently places men of low character “basest” of men in leadership positions. It however doesn’t say he always does this. So we must infer that through grace he may grant us a less base leader. The point is no leader is sinless or perfect. They will all have a degree of baseness. This obviously means that we will all be disappointed by the leader at some point. We cannot give the leader glory and worship continually. God does not want us to worship a leader be they a man or woman. They all have feet of clay. They are all fallen creatures. If someone is to receive worship and glory it will be God and not man.
“God can limit Government; man cannot.”