This week, there was big news out of the UK about Prince Andrew stepping away from all royal duties. In recent years, he has been caught up in the Jeffrey Epstein controversy along with the President Trump and their connection to relationships with young women.
It was public knowledge that the prince settled a case with one of his victims to try to cover his sin. Prince Andrew also has a strong friendship with Pres. Trump. . Prince Andrew is a victim of his own unethical, evil desires. This is a reminder of why God’s people shouldn’t put their hope into evil earthly kings or leaders (Psalm 146:3):
- Greedy
- Deceptive
- Prideful
- Vengeful
- Temporary
One would think that America would remember this fact about earthly kings since we broke away from an evil tyrant nearly 250 years ago. The American Revolution was a fight against corrupt earthly kings.
Our forefathers had a Heavenly King in mind who is both perfect and just because He is sinless, unlike earthly princes and kings. The Bible warns God’s people about false christs/kings who rise to power in the last days to deceive God’s people (Micah 3:5, Matthew 24:11-24, Revelation 21:8).
Over 2000 years later, God’s people need to repent to their Heavenly King (Ezekiel 14:6, Acts 3:19).
What Is Repent
Repenting is a fundamental requirement for both the Jewish and Christian faiths. Repenting is often misunderstood and most Christian faiths as a simple confession or verbal action. While confession is definitely a part of repenting, it is not the key aspect or action.
Repent is defined as, “To turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life: to feel regret or change one’s mind.” Repenting is just as physical as it is a spiritual action. We must change directions and actions in both cases.
We cannot say one thing and then do the opposite; that is not repenting, it is just lip service. True repenting leads to a change in how we live and act. That is why so many people don’t want to come to Jesus; they don’t want to change their lifestyles.
Good thing the Bible has a lot to say about repenting and changing direction in our lives (Proverbs 28:13, Acts 2:38;11:38, 1 Peter 3:9). Repentance is more than just a simple confession; we are called to avoid evil and to turn from our evil ways to God and His goodness (Romans 2:4, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 7:10) The Apostle Paul remembered his Jewish education about repenting and turning from our evil ways.
Nāḥam
The Torah tells us that after the fall, sin entered the world and the hearts of mankind (Genesis 3:1-24; 6:5). From then on, mankind continued to move away from God and His goodness (Genesis 3:24; 4:16; 13:11, Isaiah 2:6, Ezekiel 25:4).
God called Noah and other prophets to warn people and get them to return to God and His ways (Genesis 6:9-7:5, Jonah 1:1-2; 3:1-4). Through the prophets, God tried to get mankind to repent and return to His ways.
One of the Hebrew words in the Old Testament for repent is nāḥam, and it can also mean “Regret, feel sorry, comfort, or ease,” depending on the context it is used in. This form of repentance is an emotional feeling that motivates us to truly take action and repent or shuv.
It is an inner longing to return to God and to turn away from our evil ways. God set His people apart from this corrupt world to help lead it back to Himself and His ways (Leviticus 19:2, Deuteronomy 7:6).
That is why Judaism emphasizes the need for people to repent of their evil lifestyles and return to God through Teshuvah (2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 51:1-4, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 55:6-7, Ezekiel 18:30-32, Joel 2:12-13, Hosea 14:1-2):
- Regret
- Remorse
- Confession
- Reconciliation
- Make amends
- Resolve
This theme of God’s people needing to repent carries over into the New Testament as well. John the Baptist went through the wilderness of Judea, calling God’s people to repent and get ready for His deliverance (Malachi 3:1, Matthew 3:1, Mark 1:4).
Israel was notorious for wandering away from God and His ways (Judges 2:11-15, Psalm 78:40). That is why Jesus often called the Pharisees and His followers to repent and return to God (Matthew 3:18; 4:17, Luke 5:32; 13:3).
He taught His followers not to use or abuse their positions of power like the evil rulers of this world (Mark 10:42-45). That is why our Lord taught His followers that His Kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).
God’s people are called to love Him and not the things of this world (James 4:4, 1 John 2:15). Our Lord taught His followers they could only love and serve one King or master (Matthew 6: 24).
No Kings
In other big news this weekend, there have been hundreds of peaceful no kings rallies to protest President Trump and his anti-Christian thirst for an abuse of power (Mark 10:42-45, James 4:1-3).
It took less than 250 years for Americans to go back to wanting to be ruled by an earthly king with absolute power. It is well documented about President Trump has a thirst for unlimited earthly power.
Earthly kings don’t submit to a Constitution or the people; that is why the president rejects most of his constitutional limitations. Once again, God’s people are choosing an evil earthly king who does the work of his father, instead of God (John 8:44):
- Deceptive
- Divisive
- Vengeful
- Prideful
The saddest part is that many Bible reading people are accepting him and excusing his ways that contradict the basic teachings of who they claim is their King. We must care for the least of these amongst us (Matthew 25:31-46).Caring for the foreigners amongst us (Matthew 25:35) and loving our neighbor (Mark 12:35).
By supporting and defending their President, they are disobeying their King. Despite what many believe, our King made it clear that we cannot serve two masters; we can only love one and not the other that contradicts Him (Matthew 6:1-34, Luke 16:31).
It is sad to see how the American church has forgotten its first love, and that is why we must nāḥam (Jeremiah 2:2, Matthew 24:12, Revelation 2:4)!
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