Whether we realize it or not, Elohim (God) places various leaders over us, so we can learn to submit to His authority over us.
Titus 3:1-8 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ (Yeshua Messiah) our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Romans 13:1-2 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
There is an incident in the book of Numbers where people rebelled against YHVH’s (Yahweh’s/Yehovah’s) leadership. In Numbers 16 and 17, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and 250 chiefs of the congregation opposed Moses’ leadership. Moses proposed a deadly test in which the Lord would choose who was holy and who was to lead the people. The men were to take censers, put fire in them, and offer incense to YHVH.
These men should have known something bad would happen based on what happened to Aaron’s sons when they offered unauthorized fire to the Lord in Leviticus 10:1-3. At that time, fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them. Certainly, Korah and those who joined him had long forgotten about that. Either that or they were deceived into thinking that YHVH would easily choose them as leaders over Moses and Aaron.
When the test took place, YHVH told Moses and Aaron to have everyone move away from Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and the 250 men who were offering incense. Once everyone moved away, Elohim opened the ground, so that it swallowed Korah, the people who belonged to him, and their goods. Afterwards, the ground closed back over them. Then, fire came out from YHVH and consumed the 250 men offering the incense.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the people who remained began to grumble the next day about what had happened, so YHVH struck the people with a plague. The plague finally stopped when Aaron took his censer, put fire and incense in it, and ran into the midst of the assembly to make atonement for the people.
To put a stop to all this rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron, the Lord told Moses to get 12 staves, one from each tribal chief, and write their names on it. Aaron’s staff, with his name on it, was placed with theirs in the tent of meeting. The next morning, Moses went into the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s staff had sprouted, put forth buds and produced blossoms and ripe almonds. This had not happened to any of the other staves that belonged to the other tribal chiefs. This indicated YHVH’s choice for who would be over the assembly of the Lord. This historical account shows how serious the Lord views rebellion to the authorities placed over people. It is imperative that we submit to the various authorities YHVH has placed over us.
Another incident involving religious authorities took place in Acts 5. The apostles had been performing a variety of miracles after Yeshua’s (Jesus’) resurrection and ascension. People were being saved and healed, but the high priest and the party of the Sadducees had the apostles put in the public prison. Fortunately, an angel of the Lord came, let them out, and told them to go stand in the temple and speak to the people. While they were doing so, the officers of the prison discovered their prisoners missing. Needless to say, the religious leaders were furious.
Acts 5:27-29 And when they had brought them (the apostles), they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
As you can see, sometimes, the authorities over us are not righteous, godly, or ethical. We need to pray that the ungodly will be removed from positions of power, leadership, and influence. There will be times when we must choose between life and death or choosing to obey Elohim rather than men who are wanting us to do something that is unrighteous (Acts 5:27-32). However, when faced with simply doing ordinary things your way, which you think are better, it is not always your decision to make. There are reasons things are done the way they are. If you feel you must report an unethical practice up the chain of command, you should find out where that unethical practice is really coming from, so you do not incur any harm. You may have to find another job first while documenting what’s going on before reporting to any outside agency.
You should submit to the authorities over you until you can leave a job or supervisor you don’t like. Who knows, if you make the situation a matter of prayer, the Lord may cause you to be promoted over someone who has been persecuting you or who doesn’t do things the way you think they should be done. It is usually best to submit to their authority instead of usurping it. Meanwhile, you should develop patience and good communication skills; look for ways to make compromises and resolve conflicts that benefit everyone involved; and exercise good and ethical business practices; etc. This will bring blessings instead of curses in your life.
Highway to Holiness 