H6
If we appoint a ruler over us, he is to be one whom God chooses - one who rules according to the Word of God, and does not prefer himself over his people.
Category: Godliness, Holiness & Righteousness
Type: Positive & Negative
Form: Explicit
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Not unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Everyone
Literal Application: mandated
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Detailed codes: GFm - Gentile female, mandated | GMm - Gentile male, mandated | JFm - Jewish female, mandated | JMm - Jewish male, mandated | KFm - K'rovat Yisrael female, mandated | KMm - K'rov Yisrael male, mandated
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
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Romans 13:1-6
Key OT Scriptures
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Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Supportive NT Scriptures
- Acts 5:26-29
- Hebrews 13:17
- 1 Peter 2:13-17
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Revelation 13:11-18
- Revelation 20:4
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Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
How can Romans 13:1-6 say: For there is no authority that is not from God, and the existing authorities have been placed where they are by God. And how can Hebrews 13:17 say without qualification: Obey your leaders and submit to them. Are there not evil rulers that would command us to do ungodly things and yet we must obey them? It is indeed a conundrum unless we consider that the leaders spoken of are those referred to in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - leaders approved by God, and governing with knowledge of Torah , and with intent to do God's will. These rulers may be of our secular governments or they may be the elders of our congregations but, if we do what we ought to do - choose rulers that are approved by God and accountable to Him, all will be well. This requires that we be involved in the appointing process of our leaders, in order to make sure that whether king, or president, or governor, or congregational elder - our rulers will be of the mind and character to govern in godly ways. Yes, things go awry in this fallen world and, when they do, we must take our instruction from God (through the Holy Spirit) and rely on Him to set things right. And until things are set right, if we are commanded against God's Torah , must obey God and not man (see Acts 5:26-29 & Revelation 13:6-10 ).
Classical commentators
Maimonides and HaChinuch refer to Deuteronomy 17:16-17 to support their mitzvot stating only that a king must not amass great personal wealth. The quintessential example of a king that did amass great wealth is King Solomon who, according to 2 Chronicles 9:13-29 , received twenty-two tons of gold each year in addition to other items of worth, and according to 1 Kings 11:3 , had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines who eventually turned his heart away from God. Meir wrote no mitzvah on the subject.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Classical sources
Maimonides
Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2