Principle
God oversees all nations (and keeps wickedness in check).
Explanation
GOD oversees and interacts with humanity at multiple levels.
We have previously established that GOD is just, hates sin, and that all sin must be punished.
At the individual level, GOD watches our lives, recording our actions in His books (see Revelation 20:12), and influencing and orchestrating events in various ways—far beyond our awareness and understanding (ex: answering prayers, providing for needs, coordinating circumstances). Ultimately, GOD judges our life individually based on how we personally lived.
At the same time, GOD oversees the affairs of groups of people—from towns to big cities to countries and even continents. GOD is instrumental in the collective path of human history. GOD installs and removes human kings and rulers.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Roman, saying:
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
(Romans 13:1-5 NIV)
We previously noted that GOD intervened in the course of human history at the Tower of Babel. He knew things were progressing in a direction that wasn't best, so He sent the angels and scattered the people and confused their languages.
Although GOD put angels in charge of each Gentile nation, GOD continued His watchful care over humanity.
Over time, as a particular subset of Noah's descendants grew too wicked, GOD would intervene. After the establishment of the second world order, at Babel, the first such instance of GOD's intervention occurred at Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 18 tells how GOD and two angels came down and met with Abraham on their way to inspect what was happening.
20 Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah has been completed, and their sins are exceedingly great. 21 Therefore, I will go down now and see whether or not they are carrying out the outcry coming to Me concerning them.”
(Genesis 18:20-21 OSB)
Once the angels reached Sodom, we quickly understand why there was such an outcry against those people:
1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. So when he saw them, he rose to meet them, and bowed with his face toward the ground. 2 Then he said, “Behold, my lords, turn in to your servant's house and rest and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” But they said, “No, but we will spend the night in the open square.” 3 But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
4 Now before they went to sleep, the men of the city, the Sodomites, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. 5 Thus they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” 6 But Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, 7 and said, “By no means, my brethren, do not act wickedly.
8 I have two daughters who have not known a man; let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the protection of my roof.”
9 But they said, “Stand back! You came in to sojourn among us. Was it also to be making judgments? Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. 10 But the men reached out their hands, pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11 Then they struck the men at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, and they became weary trying to find the door.
12 Now the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here in the city: sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone? —then take them out of this place! 13 For we will destroy this place, because their outcry has become great before the Lord, and the Lord sent us to destroy it.”
(Genesis 19:1-13 OSB)
The next day, once Lot and his wife and daughters had escaped to a nearby small town, GOD reigned fire and brimstone down upon the plain of Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed all life and vegitation.
Interestingly, we can still see the remnants of Sodom and Gomorrah today. Check this out:
Note: I share this video solely for its historical evidence regarding Sodom and Gomorrah. I do not know the author. I make no endorsement of his doctrine. I disagree with some of his eschatological comments.
Throughout the rest of the Bible, GOD repeatedly directly intervened with the affairs of nations and, when necessary, executed judgments upon them. GOD is and always has been intimately involved with governments and the actions of nations.
