Topical Bible: Judgments are Sent, As Punishment For: Sins of Rulers

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Throughout the Bible, the sins of rulers often bring about divine judgment, not only upon the leaders themselves but also upon the nations they govern. This principle underscores the significant responsibility and accountability that leaders hold before God. The Scriptures provide numerous examples where the transgressions of rulers lead to severe consequences, serving as a warning to those in positions of authority.

1. King Saul's Disobedience: King Saul, the first king of Israel, provides a poignant example of how a ruler's sin can lead to divine judgment. Saul's failure to fully obey God's command to destroy the Amalekites resulted in the Lord rejecting him as king. In 1 Samuel 15:23 , the prophet Samuel declares, "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king."

2. David's Census: King David, despite being a man after God's own heart, also faced judgment due to his sin. When David conducted a census of Israel, motivated by pride and a lack of trust in God, it led to a severe plague upon the nation. In 2 Samuel 24:10-15 , David acknowledges his sin, and the Lord sends a plague that results in the death of seventy thousand men.

3. Solomon's Idolatry: King Solomon, known for his wisdom, fell into idolatry by marrying foreign women who turned his heart away from God. As a result, God declared that the kingdom would be torn from Solomon's son. 1 Kings 11:11 states, "So the LORD said to Solomon, 'Since you have done this and have not kept My covenant and statutes, which I commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.'"

4. Jeroboam's Golden Calves: Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, led the people into sin by setting up golden calves for worship. This act of idolatry brought about God's judgment upon his house. In 1 Kings 14:9-10 , the prophet Ahijah conveys God's message: "You have done more evil than all who came before you. You have made for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me to anger, and you have cast Me behind your back. Because of all this, I am about to bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam."

5. Ahab and Jezebel's Wickedness: King Ahab, influenced by his wife Jezebel, led Israel into deep idolatry and immorality. Their actions provoked God's wrath, resulting in a severe drought and eventually the violent end of their dynasty. In 1 Kings 21:25-26 , it is noted, "There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel. He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites."

6. Manasseh's Abominations: King Manasseh of Judah committed numerous abominations, including idolatry and shedding innocent blood. His reign brought about God's judgment upon Judah, leading to its eventual downfall. 2 Kings 21:11-12 records, "Because Manasseh king of Judah has committed these abominations and has done more evil than the Amorites who preceded him, and has led Judah into sin with his idols, this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of all who hear of it will tingle.'"

These accounts illustrate the biblical principle that the sins of rulers can invoke divine judgment, affecting not only the leaders themselves but also their people. The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of righteous leadership and the severe consequences of leading others into sin.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 21:2,12
And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... case, but in the general diffusion of punishment on the ... provoked him withal." And
after the judgments had been ... is again remarked that they were sent to punish ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

"Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the ...
... threaten a man with pure and unmixed judgments, if he ... I sent the rod, that it might
open your ... that were mercy, which is behind infinite and eternal punishment. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon viii hear the word.htm

National Sins and Miseries
... David was a cause of trespass, of punishment, to Israel ... So "the Lord sent a pestilence
upon Israel, from the ... moment, but one of the heaviest judgments which God ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 130 national sins and.htm

Instructed in the Law of God
... Portions were also sent to the poor, who had nothing to ... They had suffered punishment
for their sins; now they ... of the Lord our Lord, and His judgments and His ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 56 instructed in the.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... that he may not communicate with them in their judgments. ... as if he did cut off the
messenger's feet he sent. ... Now, ver.2, behold the punishment of our sins, our ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Whom to Obey, --Annas or Angel?
... committal to prison was simply for detention, not punishment. ... the return of the officers
sent off for ... men.' They claimed to be depositaries of God's judgments. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/whom to obeyannas or angel.htm

Jesus and the Blind Man.
... Jews that such an infliction was a punishment for some ... The world still believes that
great calamities are judgments. ... He was the Shiloah (Sent), it was Siloam. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus and the blind man.htm

"The Time of Trouble. "
... of God have been accused of bringing judgments upon the ... Having sent his family away,
that they may not witness ... their sin, through fear of punishment; but, like ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /39 the time of trouble.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... the desolation of their land as the punishment of their ... Sent by Jehovah in such a
degenerate age to ... and to forewarn them of God's impending judgments, he was ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Time of Trouble
... of God have been accused of bringing judgments upon the ... Having sent his family away,
that they may not witness ... their sin, through fear of punishment; but, like ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 39 the time of.htm