The evils of Eminent Domain, a Christian response

In my first year in Tennessee, I learned that our own Board of County Commissioners was considering eminent domain of the land of fellow citizens. Eminent domain is when the Government utilizes the power to seize the private property of their own citizens, with some compensation, with or without our consent, and use it for their own public use. It is also known as a confiscation, compulsory purchase, taking property against the owners will, or land grab.

I attended the next County Commission meeting and learned that to be true. Nonetheless, they voted to table it for further research and consideration. That was when I discovered the Republicans in my new State were not as conservative as I hoped. Albeit we are more red. 🫣  

Unfortunately, in 2005, the United States Supreme Court upheld eminent domain in some cases. But just because eminent domain is legal, does not make it right. Let me make this clear. Eminent domain is cold calculated premeditated sin. It is a transgression against God, His Law, and fellow countrymen. It is covetousness, greed, fraud, thievery, socialism, communism, and fascism. A Government body that executes eminent domain is full of betrayal and tyranny.

Though the SCOTUS may have deemed eminent domain as lawful, the immutable Holy Scriptures (and God’s Law) supersede man’s law. The Scriptures warn, including but not limited to.

“Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the Lord thy God giveth thee to possess it.” – Deuteronomy 19:14

It was prophesied in Micah 2:2.

“And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.”

The Eighth Commandment is “Thou shalt not steal.”  Eminent domain is a form of thievery.

The Tenth Commandment is “Thou shalt not covet.” Eminent domain is clearly covetousness.

Today’s eminent domain is similar to the recorded account of Naboth’s vineyard in 1 Kings 21.

In summary, King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel wanted Naboth’s property. Jezebel was not a Godly helpmate; she was an agent of Satan.  

But when Naboth refused to sell his property, Jezebel conspired with the sons of Belial (scoundrels) in a plot to slander, discredit, and then murder Naboth. After his death, they sinfully maintained possession of his property (eminent domain).

Are today’s politicians or governmental authorities any different? If they take the property of their countrymen or purchase it by force, they are no different than Ahab in telling Naboth “Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for…” (v. 2).

Eventually, this greedy covetous King Ahab, his wife Jezebel, and the other conspirators were graphically warned by the Lord of their bloody demise. That God would have them eaten and the blood on their bodies would be licked by dogs, and the birds of the air would eat the rest in the fields. Perhaps the predatory Vultures frequently seen in our skies should be a reminder of predatory politicians that would take our properties.

“And of Jezebel also spake the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat. But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up.” - 1 Kings 21:23-25

I do not know what the fate of our County is. But I do know some are willing to spill their own blood for their homesteads. Moreover, the present judgement of Almighty God is inevitable. And on that final Judgment Day everyone will have to give an account, and we will be judged according to Gods Holy Immutable Law.

A solution to this tyrannical threat of eminent domain is to repent. Apply the reformed doctrine of lesser magistrate, by being the lesser magistrate. Obey God’s Law over man’s sinful juris prudence. And for the fear of God, and love for their constituents, and our neighbors, let’s put the Bible back in the Bible Belt and demonstrate it.

To know more about God’s Law that we will all be judged according to, read the Gospel tract below. It is Good News for God’s chosen people (the elect).

THE GOOD NEWS!