I Kings 18:3,4
“and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace.
(Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD, for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)”
Normally God wants us to obey or officials. When the state orders an unbiblical order, that is crossing the line. Verse two references when Jezebel slaughtered priests. This is clearly unbiblical. Obadiah hid them.
He did this privately. We don’t need to make an open stand, declaring to all what our plans are. This was done without notice. This reminds me of Corie Ten Boom and the Frank family who hid Jews during the haulocost. It was done privately and many were rescued. Both of these families were caught and punished.
Do we ever do it publicly? Sure, if God tells us to. Some of Jesus’ opposition was public. That’s why the pharisees sought to kill Him.
God does establish governments and they work His will. Sometimes we get evil rulers as a punishment for forsaking God. Government actions aren’t sanctioned by Him. Generally we are to obey them.
He institutes them to bring order and to punish criminals. He wants us to live in peace. That’s their purpose. Our submission to them assists in that. We are to obey harsh rulers. Only when they are opposed to God are we to ignore those laws. We could get punished for that civil disobedience. God helps us when we honor Him. That doesn’t mean we won’t get punished, but He will protect us.
Lord, thank You for Your ways. Help us to obey them even if it means getting punished. Thank You for protecting us.