“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning . . .” So wrote the Apostle Paul (Romans 15:4). Those things written aforetime comprised the Old Testament Scriptures, which the apostles read and understood.
One of the outstanding stories of the Old Testament concerns the Children of Israel. Their history had been filled with grumbling and complaining against the Lord. At the point we now wish to consider, they had gone as far away from God as it was possible to go. The sad part of the story is that they did not realize just how pitiful their position was. We read in 1st Samuel 8:5 of an ultimatum delivered to Samuel by the elders of Israel: “. . . Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” A king! They had the greatest King they could ever hope to have. Their King held even their very lives in His power, as He held the life of all flesh. This King, according to Daniel, “ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” God has never ceased ruling, nor has His power diminished. And yet their sin lay in the desire for an earthly king, a leader, that they might be like the other nations. God’s reply was very firm, and carried far reaching consequences. “And the LORD said unto Samuel: Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (1st Samuel 8:7).
“Whatsoever things . . . were written for our learning.” Israel desired a king, a leader from among their people. In this, God says that they rejected Him. Surely there is a warning here for us. This nation has just experienced a national election. Not that it desired “a king” to reign over it, but a president. The entire system of voting all over the country has been for the purpose of “preserving democracy,” “exercising our rights,” appealing to the “civic pride” of its citizens. For not only has a president been chosen, but also myriads of minor offices have been filled.
As for us, we have a King, even Jesus. We cannot give our allegiance to another. If we help to choose a president or others by voting, are we not placing ourselves in the very position of the Children of Israel ? Are we not rejecting God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things? For us there can be no compromise. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Although the child of God is interested in the national developments of every nation, he has no choice in the matter. He cannot vote, for to do so is to reject his God, and the demands that God makes upon him. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One