Article 2, Section 2, Paragraph 2
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
Making of Treaties
The President is to represent the good of the States by making treaties that are then ratified by a 2/3 majority of the Senate.
What is a Treaty? This is an agreement between countries that govern and limit actions against each other, or provide for trade. America has been dependent on other nations for certain goods, and has been in a unique position of being able to offer excess goods to other nations. A treaty is a two-way agreement that compels both parties to do certain things.
Why only the Senate and not House? The Senate is supposed to be made up of representatives of each state government. They are there to represent not only the citizen’s best interests, but primarily what is beneficial to their State. If a treaty would hurt their State, they need to vote against it and explain the problems to the other senators, so the appropriate report can be filed with the President. Because the federal government was not to impact actual citizens of the States, this function was not monitored by representatives.
Are treaties Biblical? God warned that Israel was to avoid making treaties with any immediate neighbors because of the danger that they would pose. Israel fool-heartedly made a treaty with the Gibeonites and paid dearly for their foolishness for many generations. Later, when Israel would make treaties with the nations of the world, the treaties rarely were anything positive for Israel. When they needed help, the alliance was rarely available to help them, but the Jewish people instead were compelled to instead fight vigilantly for their neighbors.
It is important to remember the treaty we have with God first, before daring to form alliances with any others. We also need to stop and consider the character of those demanding a treaty. Will they honor their part? Will those that come after them honor the treaty? Are we willing to pay the cost of the treaty?
Exodus 19:5, "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:"
Isaiah 30:2, "That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!"
One of the characteristics of the ungodly person is that they will not honor a treaty.
2 Timothy 3:3-4, "Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;"
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