Say, what do you think of our government? Now maybe you shouldn’t answer that question – I don’t have all day…! Seriously though, everyone knows that our government is far from perfect. But then, what do you expect? It’s run by imperfect, flawed human beings.
One of our favorite texts for the Christmas season is Isaiah 9:6: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders…”
Now one of the prominent aspects of this prophecy, in fact in context – the purpose for which it was written – is “And the government will rest on his shoulders.” Verse 7 goes on to say, “…of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end…” The point is this: This child, this Son, will govern the entire world. It is the picture of the entire world resting upon His shoulder – like Altas of classical mythology, with the world on his back.
The word for “government” here, is the Hebrew word for dominion, or lordship. It comes from a root verb that means “to prevail; to have power.” In other words, it is not a word for the administrative and organizational aspects of government. Rather, it is the idea of prevailing over others, of having dominion, and exercising power and lordship.
You see, one day Jesus Christ will come again in great power and glory to establish His kingdom upon the earth. And then the government will be “upon His shoulder.”
Say, whenever you get disgusted with our government, think about the government of Jesus, and pray for His return.