Genesis 47:22 (KJV) Church and State

Genesis 47:22 (KJV)
Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.

The concept of the marriage of government and religion, at least in this case, comes from Egypt – a picture of the world. Israel, under the Mosaic Law, was unique. It was a theocracy. God was its head. Both the government and the religious system recognized (at least in principle) that God was over them and they were each equally accountable to Him. It was, if you will, a triangular relationship with God above and the government and religious leaders side by side.

The system that developed under Constantine and the Roman Church is not so much a reflection of Jewish roots, but of Egyptian ones. Theirs is a linear marriage. It placed (supposedly):

• God as the head, 
• Government under God and then 
• The church under government 

As years progressed the relationship in the Roman Catholic system changed, but it was still linear – this time (supposedly):

• God was the head, 
• The church was under God and 
• The government under the church 

In either case the linear marriage between church and state (for that matter any marriage between them at all) is a pagan one and not a Scriptural one.

Biblically, government and faith are separate institutions. Government is accountable to God and may therefore be advised by the Christian faith but neither one rules the other.

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Genesis 47:22 (KJV) Church and State

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