Exodus 22:28 — Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

This verse might contain one of the most neglected injunctions in the whole of the Bible. I know you’re all good Christians and would never revile God. (Though it’s given as “Gods” by the KJV, the word Elohim can properly taken as “the God” — it’s the same word used in Genesis 1:1). So we’re agreed you won’t revile God, but how about “cursing the ruler of your people?”
It is a distressing truth that many of us have fallen into abusing our rulers — the President, Congress, State Governor, our business leaders, church leaders, and even the heads of our families … (The word “Nasi” refers to rulers of clans who were the effective authorities for all sorts of things in Moses’ day, so I think my extensions make sense.)
I wish I could take a superior position on this subject, but in reality I I’m as bad as anybody else. We have to know, as well, that it’s a big deal. Paul drives the point home in his letter to the Romans: “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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” (Romans 13:1-2)
Our duty to obey authorities is a natural consequence of our place in The God-given order of things. Christ is a king, and his kingdom encompasses all the world. For us to curse our rulers would be to curse the world order that is an image of divine order. We would truly be rebels!
It might be argued that we could fairly curse rulers who are bad, unjust or incompetent. Paul’s letter to the Romans explicitly removes that excuse. His. Romans lived under the rule of the worst of rulers in the worst of kingdoms. The Roman empire was constitutionally pagan, and its rulers were ruthless, corrupt in their private and public lives, and often incompetent. These were the rulers that Paul enjoined his readers to obey.
This thread of respect for authority, and not cursing, can be found all through the Bible. Abigail’s foolish husband Nabal cursed David, and died. (Yes, I know David wasn’t the ruler at the time, but he was already a man of some position). Rulers are raised and lowered by God. All authority flows from Him. To curse a ruler is to reject His authority. I’m going to keep a better watch on my tongue and my thoughts!