Authority

The idea and concept of Authority is one that is often misunderstood. Sometimes in our day the word Authority is mixed up with the word judge. So when we read or think authority we can sometimes add in thoughts and fears of being judged or punished. While a judge is generally an authority and authority may not be a judge.

Another important aspect about an authority is that just cause one is an authority in somethings does not necessarily mean they are an authority in all things. This is easier for us to understand and we often times think in this manner without even meaning too. For instance a carpenter might be an authority on the best way to build a piece of furniture, but he may not be an authority on the best place for a couch to go for the best design in a room. This can be true in spiritual matters as well. A person might be an authority on how to maintain a spiritually healthy home, but they might not be an authority on how sacrifices where carried out. So we understand these things in a general sense but they can get lost as we live and study.

So we understand very generally what authority is and how it can have limitations, let us look at 3 things: 1st What does it mean to question authority. 2nd What happens when we question authority 3rd What authorities do we honor?

People have been questioning authority since the beginning of time. It is in the very nature of SIN that came in to being because the Authority of Adonai was questioned by Adam and Havah. What does it mean to question though? How can I learn without asking questions? Well so we use these terms and they can be confusing due to the limitations of language. Asking a question of authority is not a bad thing when it is done in the purpose of learning. When we are told for instance “Do not eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden.” and we say “Why can we not eat it?” and it is with an honest heart to understand the sense of danger or trouble that comes with this command that is good it is us trying to understand a situation and it can lead to true spiritual or emotional growth. We can even learn to appreciate that authority and their wisdom more. When we ask the question “Why can we not eat it?” and we really mean “Who are you to tell me I can not eat that fruit?” then we run a danger of SIN. Adam and Havah are examples of what happens when we ask this question.

Let us look at another example. This time of when questioning authority is not about a command but is about the authority in general. Turn to B’midbar

Adam and Havah are examples of what happens when we ask this question. Let us look at another example

Numbers 16:1–3 The Scriptures

And Qoraḥ, son of Yitshar, son of Qehath, son of Lěwi, took both Dathan and Aḇiram the sons of Eliyaḇ, and On, son of Peleth, sons of Re’uḇěn, and they rose up before Mosheh with some of the children of Yisra’ěl, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, called ones of the meeting, men of name. And they assembled against Mosheh and against Aharon, and said to them, “Enough of you! For all the congregation is set-apart, all of them, and יהוה is in their midst. Why then do you lift up yourselves above the assembly of יהוה?”

At first it seems this rebellion is due to the selfishness of Mosheh and Aharon, however as one reads on the truth of the situation is quickly revealed. continue reading verse 8 -11

Numbers 16:8-11

Numbers 16:8–11 The Scriptures

And Mosheh said to Qoraḥ, “Hear now, you sons of Lěwi: “Is it little to you that the Elohim of Yisra’ěl has separated you from the congregation of Yisra’ěl, to bring you near to Himself, to perform the service of the Dwelling Place of יהוה, and to stand before the congregation to serve them, and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brothers, the sons of Lěwi, with you? Yet you seek the priesthood as well? “Therefore you and all your company are set against יהוה. And Aharon, what is he that you grumble against him?”

Korach was already a Levi. He received a portion of the tithe and was part of the priesthood. Yet he was not a Cohen and wanted that. Makes one question would he be satisfied until he was Cohen Hagadol? They very thing he was critical of Mosheh and Aharon for?

These examples help us understand what it means to questions Authority. It is not so much as asking “Why is this important or what do you mean?” and is more asking “Who are you or Why should we listen to you?”

So let us look at what happens when we question authority. The answer to this question is at the top layer really easy; there are consequences. When we question authority inappropriately we suffer consequences. Sometimes it is a punishment or discipline and sometimes it is simply cause and effect.

An example of the consequence is found at the end of Chapter 16.

Numbers 16:20-

Numbers 16:20–35 The Scriptures

And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, and to Aharon, saying, “Separate yourselves from the midst of this congregation, and let Me consume them in a moment.” But they fell on their faces, and said, “O Ěl, Elohim of the spirits of all flesh! When one man sins, are You wroth with all the congregation?” And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, “Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Move away from around the tents of Qoraḥ, Dathan, and Aḇiram.’ ” So Mosheh rose up and went to Dathan and Aḇiram, and the elders of Yisra’ěl followed him. And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Please turn away from the tents of these wrong men! Do not touch whatever belongs to them, lest you be consumed in all their sins.” Then they moved away from around the tents of Qoraḥ, Dathan, and Aḇiram. And Dathan and Aḇiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, with their wives, and their sons, and their little children. And Mosheh said, “By this you know that יהוה has sent me to do all these works, that they are not from my own heart. “If these die as all men do, or if they are visited as all men are visited, then יהוה has not sent me. “But if יהוה creates what is unheard of, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave, then you shall know that these men have scorned יהוה.” And it came to be, as he ended speaking all these words, that the ground under them split apart, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Qoraḥ, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the grave, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. And all Yisra’ěl who were round about them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up!” And a fire came out from יהוה and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.

So what a consequence!! The earth swallowed up the leaders of the rebellion and their families. Then fire consumed the other members of the rebellion. Admittedly not every questioning of authority results in this but there can be real painful and even life ending consequences for us and those we love.

But what happens to the authority when we question them? How did Mosheh feel or Aharon when these men confronted them and accused them of propriety? Mosheh never asked for anything from any of the people. What about other authorities like parents or older siblings when they are questioned. I know I can speak of this. When I am in a position of authority and I am questioned in an inappropriate manner I lose confidence, I question myself, I question if I am truly meant to be int he position that I have; in other words I struggle unduly and have another burden to carry.

So we have seen what happens to both the authority and the subservient when the authority is questioned inappropriately. Let us finally look at who are the authorities in our lives. It is a natural question for us to ask what authorities do I obey?

Let us look at

1 Peter 2:13–17 The Scriptures

Be subject to every institution of man because of the Master, whether to the sovereign as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of doers of evil, and a praise for those who do good. Because such is the desire of Elohim, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, as free, yet not using your freedom as a cloak for evil, but as servants of Elohim. Respect all, love the brotherhood, fear Elohim, respect the sovereign.

1 Peter 2:13-

This is specifically about obeying government and earthly authorities. At the time it was written the word sovereign meant emperor and was the Roman Emperor. So an authority in our life that we are to obey is earthly governing authorities. So when someone says “Only God can judge me.” They are correct and he has appointed earthly authorities to do so. We are to honor them.

Yet there is an authority above all authorities, Yeshua has all authority.

Matthew 28:18–20 The Scriptures

And יהושׁע came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Therefore, go and make taught ones of all the nations, immersing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Set-apart Spirit, teaching them to guard all that I have commanded you. And see, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Aměn.

What do we make of this? We must honor the authorities in our lives. Whether they be parents, spouse, teachers, police, governors, managers, etc.. They have been appointed by Elohim and to question them inappropriately is to question Elohim. In the kingdom this will be far easier to understand. We will have our King Yeshuah Messiac ben David. We will know the source of all authority and all power. Until then the matter of honoring authority is a matter of faith in the coming of that glorious day.