Ancient monarchs had absolute power and to oppose them might bring death, or horrible suffering. The Bible tells us to be respectful toward governmental leaders always, but sometimes they have to be withstood, if they are violating the will of God, such as when King Uzziah went into the temple to burn incense,
So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord—valiant men. And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God.” Then Uzziah became furious; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the incense altar. And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the Lord had struck him (2 Chronicles 26:17–20).
National leaders hold powerful positions, but that does not give them the right to violate the commandments of God, and if they do, while we still have to be respectful, we must oppose what they are doing.
Can you respectfully oppose someone? If not, pray to the God of heaven in the name of Jesus Christ for help.
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