From Theocracy to Monarchy

Theocracy

Wednesday 05/20/20 

Series: Thru the Bible

Message – From Theocracy to Monarchy


***Video is HERE***

Share this:

Twitter

Thru the Bible: 1 Samuel 8-12

1 Samuel 8

Samuel’s sons are not godly

“(1) Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel.  (2) The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.”  

(3)  But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.  

As we have seen in other cases, this is a real pull for people…even those who come from godly homes and upbringing.

1Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Israel desires a king

“(4) Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,  (5) and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 

From theocracy to monarchy is quite a leap and one in the wrong direction! Israel has had a sad history of rejecting God’s commands, leadership and now…God Himself as their ruler. In a theocracy is the ONLY way man was intended to live, ANY AND EVERY other form of government is doomed to fail regardless of how godly it is, because it’s very existence is at very least ONE barrier between God and the human race He ultimate governs.

As we will see in a little while, Israel’s stated purpose was not honestly what was at the core of their request. Like all humans, unless we allow the Holy Spirit to purify our hearts and thus our motives, we will always claim more nobility in our purposes than really exists…in many cases, the person we first deceive regarding this is ourselves. 

Samuel is displeased

“(6)  But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the LORD.  (7)  And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.  (8)  According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also.  (9)  Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”  

Upon first reading one might think Samuel’s reason for being displeased was due to their desire to have a man rule them rather than God. However, God knows the heart and addresses Samuel’s real issue. “They are not rejecting you but Me”. By rejecting a Theocracy Israel was rejecting not only Samuel and the leader He appointed, but God Himself and Ruler and Commander.

Now this seems later to be contradicted by God Himself, when He said, According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. but, what is meant by all this is that – yes, they are seeking to replace you and your sons, but the actual rejection is towards Me since it is I Who called, anointed and placed you and it is My authority through you by which you judge them, so in reality it is ME they are rejecting.

Samuel Warning against Kings

“(10)  So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who asked him for a king.  (11)  And he said, 

“This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots.  (12)  He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.  (13)  He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.  (14)  And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants.  (15)  He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants.  (16)  And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work.  (17)  He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants.  (18)  And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the LORD will not hear you in that day.”  

The Lord will often teach you by letting you have what you want

“(19)  Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us,  (20)  that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”  

(21)  And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the LORD.  (22)  So the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.” And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.”

So here we see something unique. Though Samuel is only a judge and prophet, the people look to him as a leader, and in some ways he responds to them as such. He is the “go to” guy to determine what is done in the nation – to get things approved – has the ear of God and here he is also the one who tells them to return to their homes once the decision had been made.

This does not in any way contradict what we have learned so far about these offices and the scope of their authority, only that people are sheep and if they do not have a leader they will find one.

Chapter 9

Saul Chosen to Be King

“(1) There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.  (2)  And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.” 

This is a common lesson humans need to learn. We are FAR to easily enamored with appearances and not nearly as concerned about heart and character.

No one with any real sense would deny the indispensable nature of the Apostle Paul’s life nor of the immense impact he has had upon the word in his teachings and revelations about Jesus and the church…yet, he couldn’t have been more different from Saul. Ancient Greek documents hold descriptions of Paul, some of which may be a bit fanciful but one such description say this, “A man of middling size, and his hair was scanty, and his legs were a little crooked, and his knees were far apart; he had large eyes, and his eyebrows met, and his nose was somewhat long.”

Yet, Paul’s contribution to early Christianity, the Gentile world and the the church throughout time could hardly have been greater.

God does not judge on the outward appearance but upon the heart! 

“(3)  Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, “Please take one of the servants with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.”  (4)  So he passed through the mountains of Ephraim and through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.  (5)  When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us return, lest my father cease caring about the donkeys and become worried about us.”  (6)  And he said to him, “Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go.”  (7)  Then Saul said to his servant, “But look, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread in our vessels is all gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”  (8)  And the servant answered Saul again and said, “Look, I have here at hand one-fourth of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.”  (9)  (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: “Come, let us go to the seer”; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.)  (10)  Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.  (11)  As they went up the hill to the city, they met some young women going out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?”  (12)  And they answered them and said, “Yes, there he is, just ahead of you. Hurry now; for today he came to this city, because there is a sacrifice of the people today on the high place.  (13)  As soon as you come into the city, you will surely find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up, for about this time you will find him.”  (14)  So they went up to the city. As they were coming into the city, there was Samuel, coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.  (15)  Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying,  (16)  “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”  (17)  So when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.”  (18)  Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, “Please tell me, where is the seer’s house?”  (19)  Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.  (20)  But as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not be anxious about them, for they have been found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all your father’s house?”  (21)  And Saul answered and said, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?”  (22)  Now Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and had them sit in the place of honor among those who were invited; there were about thirty persons.  (23)  And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it apart.’ ”  (24)  So the cook took up the thigh with its upper part and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, “Here it is, what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat; for until this time it has been kept for you, since I said I invited the people.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day.  (25)  When they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the top of the house.  (26)  They arose early; and it was about the dawning of the day that Samuel called to Saul on the top of the house, saying, “Get up, that I may send you on your way.” And Saul arose, and both of them went outside, he and Samuel.  (27)  As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.” And he went on. “But you stand here awhile, that I may announce to you the word of God.”

Chapter 10

Saul Anointed King

“(1) Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: “Is it not because the LORD has anointed you commander over His inheritance?  (2)  When you have departed from me today, you will find two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys which you went to look for have been found. And now your father has ceased caring about the donkeys and is worrying about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?” ‘  (3)  Then you shall go on forward from there and come to the terebinth tree of Tabor. There three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.  (4)  And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive from their hands.  (5)  After that you shall come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is. And it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying.  (6)  Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.  (7)  And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you.  (8)  You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do.”  (9)  So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day.  (10)  When they came there to the hill, there was a group of prophets to meet him; then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.  (11)  And it happened, when all who knew him formerly saw that he indeed prophesied among the prophets, that the people said to one another, “What is this that has come upon the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”  (12)  Then a man from there answered and said, “But who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”  (13)  And when he had finished prophesying, he went to the high place.  (14)  Then Saul’s uncle said to him and his servant, “Where did you go?” So he said, “To look for the donkeys. When we saw that they were nowhere to be found, we went to Samuel.”  (15)  And Saul’s uncle said, “Tell me, please, what Samuel said to you.”  (16)  So Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found.” But about the matter of the kingdom, he did not tell him what Samuel had said.”  

Saul Proclaimed King

“(17)  Then Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah,  (18)  and said to the children of Israel, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all kingdoms and from those who oppressed you.’  (19)  But you have today rejected your God, Who Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us!’ Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your clans.”  (20)  And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen.  (21)  When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found.  (22)  Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD answered, “There he is, hidden among the equipment.”  (23)  So they ran and brought him from there; and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.  (24)  And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!”  (25)  Then Samuel explained to the people the behavior of royalty, and wrote it in a book and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.  (26)  And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and valiant men went with him, whose hearts God had touched.  (27)  But some rebels said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.”

Much could be said about this, but suffice it to say that God owns the hearts of men and can do with them as He pleases.

In Saul’s case, God gave him the ability to prophecy (if only for one occasion) and gave him the heart of royalty. How do we know that? Well, God had Samuel explain to the people the behavior of royalty and that just as Saul was coming into power. I’m not sure what that can mean except that Saul, who was previously anything BUT royalty, now had the heart of a king.

God also touched the hearts of valiant men to attach themselves in loyalty and service to the new king. 

Perhaps this is the best place to bring up the passage found in Prov. 21:1. It states, “A king’s heart is a water channel in the LORD’s hand: He directs it wherever He chooses.”

This does not mean that God removes freewill from kings, for if that were true – all kings would rule in wisdom and further the kingdom of God and the purposes of Christ. The work ‘heart’ often has a specific meaning, and in this case it more than likely means the mind or the attention, but it does not mean the will. So while God may direct the attention or lead the thoughts of a king, He does NOT predispose his will towards what is right – that still needs to be chosen. Then what, you might ask, is the benefit of steering their minds? It offers God the advantage of being certain that the things a king should consider and have in view – occur to him at very least. What he does with those thoughts and consideration is his own affair.

Chapter 11

“(1) Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”  (2)  Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I’ll make one with you on this condition: that I gouge out everyone’s right eye and humiliate all Israel.”  (3)  “Don’t do anything to us for seven days,” the elders of Jabesh said to him, “and let us send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If no one saves us, we will surrender to you.”  (4)  When the messengers came to Gibeah, Saul’s hometown, and told the terms to the people, all wept aloud.”  

“(5)  Just then Saul was coming in from the field behind his oxen. “What’s the matter with the people? Why are they weeping?” Saul inquired, and they repeated to him the words of the men from Jabesh.  (6)  When Saul heard these words, the Spirit of God suddenly took control of him, and his anger burned furiously.  (7)  He took a team of oxen, cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout the land of Israel by messengers who said, “This is what will be done to the ox of anyone who doesn’t march behind Saul and Samuel.” 

This would be an Old Covenant example of being “filled with the Spirit”. When that happens, there is a conscious surrender to His will, but His will is SO strong that unless your heart was against God, you would willingly surrender to His inner promptings.

“As a result, the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they went out united.  (8)  Saul counted them at Bezek. There were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men from Judah.  (9)  He told the messengers who had come, “Tell this to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Deliverance will be yours tomorrow by the time the sun is hot.'” So the messengers told the men of Jabesh, and they rejoiced.  (10)  Then the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Tomorrow we will come out, and you can do whatever you want to us.”  (11)  The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions. During the morning watch, they invaded the Ammonite camp and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. There were survivors, but they were so scattered that no two of them were left together.  (12)  Afterwards, the people said to Samuel, “Who said that Saul should not reign over us? Give us those men so we can kill them!”  (13)  But Saul ordered, “No one will be executed this day, for today the LORD has provided deliverance in Israel.”  

“(14)  Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let’s go to Gilgal, so we can renew the kingship there.”  (15)  So all the people went to Gilgal, and there in the LORD’s presence they made Saul king. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings in the LORD’s presence, and Saul and all the men of Israel greatly rejoiced.”

Chapter 12

“(1) Now Samuel said to all Israel: “Indeed I have heeded your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.  (2)  And now here is the king, walking before you; and I am old and grayheaded, and look, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my childhood to this day.  (3)  Here I am. Witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: 

  • Whose ox have I taken, or 
  • whose donkey have I taken, or 
  • whom have I cheated? 
  • Whom have I oppressed, or 
  • from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? 

I will restore it to you.”  

“(4)  And they said, “You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man’s hand.”  

“(5)  Then he said to them, “The LORD is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they answered, “He is witness.”  

“(6)  Then Samuel said to the people, “It is the LORD who raised up Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt.  (7)  Now therefore, stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous acts of the LORD which He did to you and your fathers:”  

“(8)  When Jacob had gone into Egypt, and your fathers cried out to the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place.  (9)  And when they forgot the LORD their God, He sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them.”  

“(10)  Then they cried out to the LORD, and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths; but now deliver us from the hand of our enemies, and we will serve You.’  (11)  And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you dwelt in safety.” 

“(12)  And when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the LORD your God was your king.  (13)  “Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen and whom you have desired. And take note, the LORD has set a king over you.  (14)  If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the LORD your God.  (15)  However, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers.” 

“(16)  “Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes:  (17)  Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the LORD, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking a king for yourselves.” 

“(18)  So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.  (19)  And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.”  

“(20)  Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.  (21)  And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.  (22)  For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people.  (23)  Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.  (24)  Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.  (25)  But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

Blessings! 

 

I hope this teaching will challenge you and encourage you to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

You have a special place in God’s family & kingdom. If you do not know Him, please use our ‘Contact Us‘ page and reach out so we may have the privilege of introducing you to the Lord. Neither money nor attendance at our church will be mentioned.

If you have been spiritually fed by this ministry and wish to give, we truly appreciate that and you may do so here, but all outreaches of this ministry are FREE for you and anyone to enjoy at no cost.

Blessings!

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!