Dispensation of Human
Government
Until the time when Noah left
the ark, all responsibility for punishment of wrongdoing was
held by God. In the dispensation of human government, man is
given authority to exercise laws and carry out judgment. The
most important authority that God gives man is in Genesis
9:6 when he instructs that capital punishment be carried out
for anyone who sheds another person’s blood. This upholds
the sanctity of life because man is created in God’s image.
As part of the Noahic
Covenant, in addition to giving authority to carry out
capital punishment, God makes several promises. Man does not
need to fear another universal flood. The fear of man is
placed into animals and natural order is established. Man is
also given permission to eat meat with the prohibition that
it not contain any blood still in it.
Human government fails
to uphold morality and God’s laws. We see this early on in
the building of the Tower of Babel, throughout the nation of
Israel, and today in our modern governments. The next
dispensation is not brought about because of these failures,
however. God will call Abraham and choose to bless
him.
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