All of us live under some kind of government. Though many would say it’s an impossible goal, what would it take for a government to be righteous?
It starts, of course, with a righteous ruler. In the OT, that was the most important requirement for the king in Israel. He was commanded to obey the Law of Moses and to lead the nation in that way.
But there was another requirement. The ruler needed to surround himself with faithful men. One king, Solomon, understood the importance of this requirement even if he did not always adhere to it.
He wrote that dross must be removed from precious metals before their value can come through. Likewise, the wicked must be removed from the presence of the king if he wants his throne “established in righteousness” (Prov 25:4-5). If a righteous king wants to rule from a righteous throne, he cannot have a cabinet full of wicked men.
Solomon is saying that even a king will be influenced by those around him. If he makes unfaithful men his partners, it will impact his decisions. In another set of proverbs, Solomon emphasizes the need for a king to chase evil from his presence (Prov 20:8, 26). That would certainly include those closest to him.
The psalmist spoke of the same thing. He wrote of a royal wedding and of a righteous king. The king takes his throne, and his rule will be one of righteousness. But the king does not rule alone. He has companions, or partners. We would call them his cabinet or closest advisors. These people, who are closest to the king, are also righteous. They rejoice because they have the honor of ruling with this righteous king (Ps 45:6-7).
Psalm 45 may be seen as an idealistic goal for any man crowned king in Israel. He was God’s representative to the nation and was to rule righteously. He was to do what Solomon said to do in Proverbs 25. But any reader of the OT will know how far short those kings fell from fulfilling this goal.
The author of Hebrews writes that the king of Psalm 45 is the Lord Jesus Christ. When He returns to earth, He will perfectly fulfill what is written (Heb 1:8-9). His reign will begin with a thousand-year rule on this earth. He will then create a new universe and rule over it forever.
During the first thousand years, there will be sin. Some in His kingdom will have bodies of flesh and will be able to rebel against His rule. But even then, the King will rule in righteousness. He will not tolerate sin or corruption and will deal with it swiftly (Rev 2:27). In the eternal state, sin will be no more.
The King will have His cabinet in that glorious reign, beginning with the first thousand years. Of course, His companions will love righteousness as well. While all believers will be in His kingdom, these advisors are those believers who loved righteousness in this life and lived lives of obedience. They looked forward to the coming of the righteous King and His kingdom. Some believers will be rewarded by the King and given the privilege of reigning with Him. By rewarding them in this way, the King will perfectly fulfill Ps 45:6-7 and Prov 25:4-5.
We just had an election in the US. It deeply divided the country. No matter whom you voted for, you probably do not feel we have a righteous government. The president and his cabinet fall far short of what is described in Proverbs and Psalms. But a righteous government is coming.
Every believer will be in Christ’s kingdom forever. But how exciting would it be to be a part of His inner circle? It will consist of His closest companions. As Solomon, the psalmist, and the author of Hebrews wrote, He will choose those who loved righteousness. That is a powerful motivation to live righteously now.
