In the context of the Bible, insurrections refer to acts of rebellion or uprising against established authority, often involving a collective effort to overthrow or challenge leadership. The Bible provides several instances and teachings related to insurrections, offering insights into the spiritual and moral dimensions of such actions.

Old Testament Examples

1. Korah's Rebellion (Numbers 16): One of the most notable insurrections in the Old Testament is the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron. Korah, a Levite, along with 250 community leaders, challenged the leadership of Moses, questioning his authority and the special status of Aaron's priesthood. The Lord's response was swift and severe, as the earth opened up and swallowed the rebels, demonstrating God's chosen leadership and the consequences of rebellion against His appointed leaders.

2. Absalom's Revolt (2 Samuel 15-18): Absalom, the son of King David, led a significant insurrection against his father. Absalom's charm and political maneuvering won the hearts of many Israelites, leading to a civil war. Despite Absalom's initial success, his rebellion ultimately failed, and he was killed in battle. This account highlights the destructive nature of insurrection within a family and a nation, as well as the importance of divine providence in leadership.

3. Sheba's Rebellion (2 Samuel 20): Following Absalom's revolt, Sheba, a Benjamite, incited another rebellion against David. Sheba's insurrection was short-lived, as David's forces quickly quelled the uprising. This event underscores the persistent challenges to authority and the need for vigilance in maintaining order.

New Testament Context

1. Barabbas (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19): In the New Testament, Barabbas is described as a prisoner involved in an insurrection in Jerusalem. During the trial of Jesus, the crowd chose to release Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, over Jesus. This incident illustrates the volatile political climate of the time and the people's preference for a revolutionary figure over the Prince of Peace.

2. Jesus' Teachings on Authority (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7): Jesus and the apostles provided teachings on the relationship between believers and governing authorities. In Matthew 22:21, Jesus instructed, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." The Apostle Paul further elaborated in Romans 13:1-7, emphasizing the importance of submitting to governing authorities, as they are instituted by God. These teachings suggest a general principle of respect for authority, while recognizing that ultimate allegiance belongs to God.

3. The Zealots: Among Jesus' disciples was Simon the Zealot, a member of a Jewish political movement that sought to overthrow Roman rule. The presence of a Zealot among the disciples highlights the diverse backgrounds of Jesus' followers and the transformative power of His message, which transcended political insurrection.

Theological Reflections

From a theological perspective, insurrections in the Bible often serve as a backdrop for exploring themes of authority, obedience, and divine sovereignty. The Bible consistently portrays God as the ultimate authority, with human leaders serving under His guidance. Rebellion against divinely appointed leadership is depicted as rebellion against God Himself, warranting divine judgment.

The biblical narrative encourages believers to discern the difference between just and unjust authority, advocating for a posture of humility and submission to God's will. While the Bible acknowledges the reality of oppressive regimes, it calls for a response rooted in faith, prayer, and trust in God's justice, rather than violent insurrection.

In summary, the Bible's treatment of insurrections provides a complex and nuanced view of authority, rebellion, and divine order, urging believers to seek God's wisdom in navigating the challenges of earthly governance.

Human Government.
... and duties of governments and subjects in relation to the execution of the necessary
penalties of law:"the suppression of mobs, insurrections, rebellion; and ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxi human government.htm

Christianity and Slavery.
... A proverb prevailed in the Roman empire: "As many slaves, so many enemies." Hence
the constant danger of servile insurrections, which more than once brought ...
/.../section 48 christianity and slavery.htm

Bibliography.
... Petrus Frarinus, MA. Oration against the Vnlawfull Insurrections of the
Protestantes of our time, under the pretence to refourme religion. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/knox/the first blast of the trumpet/bibliography.htm

Haggai
... The allusion to the shaking of the world in ii.7, 22, appears to be a reflection
of the insurrections which broke out all over the Persian empire on the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/haggai.htm

The Second vial.
... In their riots and insurrections, history records the destruction of large numbers
of the populace; and these exterminated the members of the royal family, and ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the second vial.htm

The Epistles of the Captivity.
... During his confinement in Rome, from ad61 to 63, while waiting the issue of his
trial on the charge of being "a mover of insurrections among all the Jews ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 93 the epistles of.htm

Photinus, Bishop of Sirmium. His Heresy, and the Council Convened ...
... of the consulate of Sergius and Nigrinian; and during this year there were no consuls
either in the East or the West, owing to the insurrections excited by the ...
/.../chapter vi photinus bishop of sirmium.htm

The Speaking Statue Again
... They would cure a little more speedily. Tuesday, 15."When I came to Belfast, I learned
the real cause of the late insurrections in this neighborhood. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the speaking statue again.htm

Of the Social Life, Which, Though Most Desirable, is Frequently ...
... with lawsuits civil and criminal, and is never free from the fear, if sometimes
from the actual outbreak, of disturbing and bloody insurrections and civil wars ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 5 of the social life.htm

Sowing and Reaping
... and since the French Revolution there have been enough French men and women slaughtered
in the streets of Paris in the various insurrections, to average more ...
/.../moody/sowing and reaping/chapter i sowing and reaping.htm

Insurrections (2 Occurrences)
...Insurrections (2 Occurrences). ... (WEB ASV). 2 Corinthians 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments,
in insurrections, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, (YLT). ...
/i/insurrections.htm - 7k

Nazarenes (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of ...
/n/nazarenes.htm - 6k

Leader (183 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of ...
/l/leader.htm - 35k

Gamaliel (7 Occurrences)
... While quoting instances, familiar to his hearers, of past insurrections or seditions
that had failed, he reminded them at the same time that if this last under ...
/g/gamaliel.htm - 13k

Instigator (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of ...
/i/instigator.htm - 6k

Insurrection (8 Occurrences)
... in Luke 23:19, 25 "sedition." the Revised Version (British and American) correctly
renders "insurrection" throughout; also in Acts 24:5 "insurrections" for the ...
/i/insurrection.htm - 9k

Intact (3 Occurrences)

/i/intact.htm - 7k

Insurrectionists (1 Occurrence)

/i/insurrectionists.htm - 6k

Theudas (1 Occurrence)
... put forward in explanation of the apparent anachronism in Gameliels speech, the
two most in favor are (1) that as there were many insurrections during the ...
/t/theudas.htm - 8k

Real (26 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of ...
/r/real.htm - 14k

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