Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
The “rule” that the Pastors “have … over you” is the Word of God. They are specifically charged to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (II Timothy 4:2). The heart of “the rule” is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; thus, Paul declared, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (I Corinthians 2:2). To “rule”, in this context, is to lead by preaching, teaching, and example. Our King and High Priest and Savior is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and His Pastors/Preachers must never assume the power and authority that belongs only to Him. In prophecy of His New Testament Church, our Lord declared, “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,” (Isaiah 62:6). This “Jerusalem” is the “Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all” (Galatians 4:26); that is, the Church-Kingdom of our Lord. These God-called Pastors “watch for” our “souls”; that is, they are constantly praying and watching; for, they well know that they must “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (I Peter 5:8). As a “roaring lion”, “the devil” delights in creating confusion, despair, and heartbreak; and all manner of pain and suffering in the lives of God’s people and Church. These Pastors/Preachers “watch for” our “souls”; that is, they “watch for” our welfare in this present life. Faithful Pastors/Preachers well know that all the Children of God were made Eternally Secure by our Savior; thus, they are “watchmen” against the perils in this life only. Our Lord declared our Eternal Security this way, “this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day” (John 6:39)! The Lord’s Pastors/Preachers/Watchmen are constantly watching for the encroachment of “the devil” and when they see trouble beginning to rise, with much prayer, they quickly apply the blessed Balm of the Word of God. Furthermore, week by week, they preach and teach the Word of God to strengthen the Children of God so that they “may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). Thus, Spiritual Wisdom compels us to “submit” ourselves to the Word of God that faithful Pastors preach and teach.