The concept of the Dispensations is rooted in the study of God’s dealings with mankind throughout history. A dispensation refers to a period of time in which God entrusts humanity with specific responsibilities, tests them in their obedience, and then brings judgment when mankind fails. One such period is the Dispensation of Human Government, which began after the Flood in the days of Noah.

This dispensation is significant because it introduces a new aspect of divine-human relationship: the delegation of authority to man to govern society, to restrain sin, and to administer justice on earth.

The Beginning of Human Government

The Dispensation of Human Government began after the Flood, when God destroyed the wicked world of Noah’s day and preserved Noah and his family in the ark. Following the cleansing of the earth, God established a new covenant with Noah, often called the Noahic Covenant, in which He laid down foundational principles for human society.

God’s Covenant with Noah

“And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.” (Genesis 9:1–2, KJV)

In this covenant, mankind was once again commanded to be fruitful and replenish the earth, just as Adam and Eve were commanded in the Garden. But now, there was a distinct change: animals would fear man, and human diet would expand to include meat.

The Introduction of Capital Punishment

A central feature of this dispensation is God’s establishment of capital punishment as a divine ordinance.

“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” (Genesis 9:6, KJV)

Here God delegated to humanity the authority to execute justice upon murderers. This was a critical turning point. Prior to the Flood, Cain had murdered Abel, but God did not allow Cain to be slain (Genesis 4:15). Now, after the Flood, God made it clear that man was to take responsibility for punishing those who shed innocent blood.

This principle marks the beginning of human government: mankind was now entrusted with the authority to rule, restrain evil, and maintain order in society.

The Responsibility of Mankind

In this dispensation, mankind was tested with the responsibility of governing themselves according to God’s revealed laws. They were to:

1. Replenish the earth (Genesis 9:1).
2. Respect the sanctity of life (Genesis 9:4–6).
3. Uphold justice through government and law (Genesis 9:6).

Human government, at its core, was not merely an invention of society but a divine institution. The Apostle Paul later reaffirmed this truth:

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Romans 13:1, KJV)

Thus, rulers and governments, when functioning properly, are meant to serve as ministers of God to execute wrath upon evildoers and reward the good.

The Failure of Human Government

As with all dispensations, mankind eventually failed in its stewardship. The most striking failure in the Dispensation of Human Government is seen in the Tower of Babel.

The Tower of Babel

Instead of spreading out and replenishing the earth as God commanded, mankind united in pride to build a city and a tower “whose top may reach unto heaven.”

“And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”(Genesis 11:4, KJV)

This was an act of direct rebellion. Humanity, under one language and one purpose, sought independence from God and attempted to centralize its power in defiance of His will.

God’s Judgment at Babel

God responded by confusing their language and scattering them across the face of the earth:

“Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.” (Genesis 11:7–8, KJV)

This judgment demonstrated mankind’s failure under the dispensation. Rather than using government to glorify God and maintain justice, humanity used unity and authority to rebel against God.

Lessons from the Dispensation of Human Government

1. The Sanctity of Human Life
   The command in Genesis 9:6 highlights the value God places on human life, for man is created in His image. This principle remains foundational for all just governments.
2. Government as a Divine Institution
   Human government is not merely a social contract but an ordinance of God. When rightly exercised, it restrains evil and promotes righteousness (Romans 13:3–4).
3. The Corruption of Power Without God
   The Tower of Babel reveals that when governments reject God, they become instruments of pride and rebellion. This foreshadows the rise of corrupt empires throughout history and the coming reign of the Antichrist, who will embody the ultimate misuse of human government.

The Continuing Relevance Today

Though the Dispensation of Human Government formally gave way to later dispensations, its principles continue to shape God’s dealings with mankind. Nations still bear the responsibility to govern justly, uphold law, and preserve life.

The Christian’s relationship to government is also rooted in this dispensation. The Apostle Peter wrote:

“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” (1 Peter 2:13–14, KJV)

Thus, believers are called to respect government, pray for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1–2), and live peaceably under authority, so long as obedience to God is not compromised (Acts 5:29).

Conclusion

The Dispensation of Human Government represents a crucial step in God’s unfolding plan for humanity. Beginning with Noah, God delegated authority to man to govern society, establish justice, and protect life. Yet mankind, instead of obeying, used its power to rebel, culminating in the Tower of Babel.

This dispensation teaches us that true justice and peace cannot be found in human authority alone but only in submission to God’s rule. Ultimately, the failure of human government points us to the coming reign of Christ, the perfect King, who will one day rule in righteousness during His Millennial Kingdom.

“For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.” (Isaiah 33:22, KJV)