Is the U.S. Government in the Book of Isaiah?

There’s a verse in Isaiah that points to Jesus as our Judge, Lawgiver, and King and reveals a pattern of government.

Isaiah 33:22  For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King.

 Let’s consider how this verse points to Jesus before we look at the pattern of government.

Jesus is Our Justifier

The verse in Isaiah speaks first of the Lord as our Judge.  We know that Jesus is the righteous Judge in our justification.  He is the One who gives salvation to repentant sinners who come to Him in faith. (Acts 4:12)

Jesus is Our Sanctifier

The verse also speaks of the Lord as our Lawgiver. We know Jesus is the Lawgiver who kept the Law for us, the lawbreakers. He lived a perfectly righteous life and died for our sins so the Law would have no power to condemn us. When repentant sinners trust Jesus, He saves them and sanctifies them by giving them His righteousness (Read: What is Imputed Righteousness?).  

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1) for they stand righteous in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).  “…The Law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:24-26)

The Law cannot condemn a child of God, but it can certainly instruct and demonstrate the way to live.

Jesus is Our Glorifier

The verse also speaks of the Lord as a ruler.  From the beginning of creation, God was to be mankind’s King and ruler over all creation. (Eph 1:20-21)

Psa 47:6-8  Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.

Eph 1:20-22  …He raised Him [Jesus] from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

One day, we will leave this earth and enter into the presence of our King.  One day, He will give us glorified bodies, likened unto His glorified body (Philippians 3:21). And one day, Jesus will reign in righteousness on earth.  We will be with Him forever, made perfect by our Justifier, our Sanctifier, and our Glorifier.

Our Government in the Book of Isaiah?

Now, let’s look at the verse in Isaiah again and see how it points to our form of government—a government built upon biblical precepts and principles, reflecting God’s perfect pattern of rule. The verse clearly defines our government’s three branches: the judicial, legislative, and executive.

Isaiah 33:22  For the LORD is our Judge [we have a judicial branch], the LORD is our Lawgiver [we have a legislative branch], the LORD is our King [we have a ruling, executive branch].

We can see how our government was set up in accordance with God’s design, but let’s always remember that Jesus reigns supreme over all human affairs. As Isaiah said, “…the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King…”

And Isaiah finished by saying our Lord, Judge, Lawgiver, and King “will save us.”  Our government cannot do that.  The U.S. government can certainly judge the people of our country. It can legislate laws that regulate how we live and work. Our government can even rule over us with authority.  But our government can never save us.  Only Jesus saves!

Dependence on Jesus, Not Government

While our government follows a biblical pattern in its operation, it does not have the power to give life or to direct one’s life perfectly.  As Christians, we know our dependence is only on Jesus, the One true and righteous Sovereign King, whose laws are just and whose judgments are perfect.

Pray for all the people of our nation.  Pray that their hearts be turned to God in faith and trust and that all will know Him as the Lord who is THE perfect, loving, gracious, merciful, kind, and good Judge, Lawgiver, and King.

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Visit our Pause to Pray page.  You will find inspiring short videos of former Presidents who prayed for our nation and spoke words of faith in God — and videos of evangelists who call upon the people of our nation to return to God. There are prayers to petition for God’s mercy and to encourage and inspire hope in our nation’s future. Watch one, two, or more of these really short videos and be challenged to think more biblically and to pray more faithfully for our nation’s leaders and its people.     

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