I was always under the impression that God was and is in charge (completely sovereign) in setting up Kings, ruling authorities, and governments as depicted in Romans 13:1, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God" and some other verses such as Daniel 2:21, "And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise."
But then I came across this verse today in Hosea 8:4, "They set up kings, but not by Me;
They made princes, but I did not acknowledge them. From their silver and gold, They made idols for themselves—That they might be cut off." God is speaking through Hosea here about the apostasy of Israel and their harlotry (EG, I'm not going to debate you on this!), which is basically what the whole book of Hosea is about.
I know, as any other serious Christian who is concerned with God Word, that the bible holds no contradictions. Therefore I am forced to rationalize this passage in Hosea by stating that God simply is saying He is leaving Israel to their own devises and handing them over to their own sinful lusts, in which through their own corruption unworthy Kings will arise by means of their own iniquities (in which is God's plan for them anyway). All this to result in their chastisement and judgment to come (Hosea 7:12, 8:1).
My questions to you is this:
1) Do you agree with my assessment?
2) Do you think God works does the same thing today, removing His blessings and allowing the people select our leaders (keeping the way we elected our gov. officials in mind)?
3) Do you have anything to add?
But then I came across this verse today in Hosea 8:4, "They set up kings, but not by Me;
They made princes, but I did not acknowledge them. From their silver and gold, They made idols for themselves—That they might be cut off." God is speaking through Hosea here about the apostasy of Israel and their harlotry (EG, I'm not going to debate you on this!), which is basically what the whole book of Hosea is about.
I know, as any other serious Christian who is concerned with God Word, that the bible holds no contradictions. Therefore I am forced to rationalize this passage in Hosea by stating that God simply is saying He is leaving Israel to their own devises and handing them over to their own sinful lusts, in which through their own corruption unworthy Kings will arise by means of their own iniquities (in which is God's plan for them anyway). All this to result in their chastisement and judgment to come (Hosea 7:12, 8:1).
My questions to you is this:
1) Do you agree with my assessment?
2) Do you think God works does the same thing today, removing His blessings and allowing the people select our leaders (keeping the way we elected our gov. officials in mind)?
3) Do you have anything to add?