The Law of God and Public Policy
God’s King has come, and His Kingdom is at hand.
“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” Genesis 49.10
Our text from Genesis 49 helps us in thinking about God’s intention for His Law, that it should come to the world through the obedience of His own people, as they submit to His eternal King.
Jacob foresaw an era during which kings would rule over the people of Israel, all the kings descended from the tribe of Judah. The final king in the dynasty is known as “Shiloh.” When “Shiloh” comes – Him for Whom the Kingdom has been prepared – in His glory, then the dynasty entrusted to Judah will cease and the nations and peoples of the world will be led to obey God’s King.
That King has come; He has brought near His Kingdom; and His Spirit is at work in the world advancing His rule of righteousness, peace, and joy like a growing stone (Rom. 14.17, 18; Dan. 2.44, 45). God intends to draw the nations to obedience to Jesus Christ through the example and witness of His people, as we have seen. And, while we do not expect the world to be entirely converted to Christ, nor the Kingdom of God to come fully before the day of judgment (Dan. 7.18-27; Matt. 13.36-43), still, we expect and work for progress in that domain, praying that God will do in and through us all that He has prepared from of old (Matt. 6.10; Eph. 2.10).
T. M. Moore
Visit our website, www.ailbe.org, and sign up to receive our thrice-weekly devotional, Crosfigell, featuring writers from the period of the Celtic Revival and T. M.’s reflections on Scripture and the Celtic Christian tradition. Does the Law of God still apply today? Order a copy of T. M.’s book, The Ground for Christian Ethics, and study the question for yourself.
