Who is the King?
In Judges 21:25 we are told, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” This verse is typically interpreted in the context of a problem to be solved: if order is lacking than some kind of authority is needed to keep people on track. Nothing could be further from the truth. It was true that there was no king in Israel and it was true that everyone seemed to be doing what was right in their own eyes. Yet, it is very clear that if this was a problem, G-d didn’t want to solve it by appointing a king. G-d’s response found in 1 Samuel 8:7 is, “they have not rejected you, but Me that I should not reign over them.”
So, how did G-d rule over His people? He had priests to teach the law, and the prophets to confront them when they did not keep it. G-d desired obedience through free conviction rather than any form of coercion. He was willing to accept the possibility of what would be called ‘chaos’ by liberals today than the order enforced by a king. G-d didn’t want a mediator between Himself and His people. He was the King. And He wanted it to remain that way. He wanted to rule over them.
Submission to a man, even a godly king, president, governor, or Christian elected official does not place us in a theocracy (G-d’s desired form of government for us). Man’s government at its best places us in a benevolent dictatorship. We have strayed far from G-d’s intended plan. What are we to do now? Obey your authorities as stated in the Bible. Remember, WE CHOOSE THEM every few years!” Yet, there is the ruling over our heart, emotions, feelings and spiritual life. I know who our president and elected officials are but my question is, “Who is our King?”
In His Service,
Pastor Paul Santos