INTRODUCTION
The previous message examined the children of Israel rejection of the Spiritual and Physical authority of God over them in favour of the rule of earthly or worldly kings.
This message explains the nature of the reign of the worldly kings and the examples of the bondage that is inherent in their reign. Aspects of the reign that we cover include the dominion for defense and food, the exploitation of women and capital, hard labour, and servitude in societies. We also highlight the principles that underpin the reign of worldly kings who fear God. The message encourages readers to reflect on the attributes of the Godly and ungodly worldly kings and their own roles in either regime.
1. APPROACH OF WORLDLY KINGS
After Israel rejected God as their Spiritual and earthly King, He told Samuel to anoint Saul as their king but to “protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them”(1 Samuel 8:9; and 9:16-17).
The approach of worldly kings as Samuel narrates is one of exploitative dominion lack of mercy and compassion and disregard for the human dignity. In spite of Samuel’s warning, Israel was quite specific in their desire for a king over God: to rule them like all the nations; a king to “judge” them, lead them, and fight their battles (1 Samuel 8:18-20; Deuteronomy 17:14).
It is important to note that in rejecting the Almighty God for the earthly kings, Israel was thereby comparing Him who can be compared to nothing in nature, likeness, and power (Isaiah 40:18, 25 and 46:5); and kings in whom there is no help (Psalm 118:8-9 and 146:3). They also rejected God’s righteous judgement and justice and scorn His power and strength to fight their battles and deliver them from their enemies. Now let us examine the manner of reign of the earthly kings:
2. THE MANNER OF REIGN OF WORLDLY KINGS
2.1 Dominion for Defense and Food
One of the attributes of worldly kings is that they “will take your sons, and appoint them for [their] chariots, and to be [their] horsemen”. They would also appoint captains over thousands of people to produce food for them and “…to make [for them] instruments of war, and instruments of [their] chariots (1 Samuel 8:11-12).
The idea here is that when men reject God’s leadership, they will need to rely on mankind for food and protection. And man not being the “creator” or the “preserver” Which God is, (Psalm 145:14-15, 20 ), must then resort to earthly ways of ensuring these through defence and production systems that rely on their population.
For instance when Saul heard that the Ammonite king had threatened to gouge out their right eyes as a reproach upon Israel, “the Spirit of God came upon [him]…and his anger was kindled greatly”(1 Samuel 11:1-2 & 6). He took a yoke of oxen, and hewed it in pieces and sent it throughout the land threatening that if the people do not come after him they would be chopped in pieces like the oxen. “And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent” (1 Samuel 11:6-7).
Saul’s reign was marked by sore war against the Philistines to the extent that “when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him”(1 Samuel 14: 52). Thus, like Israel, the instance of wars and strife within and between nations and the practice of earthly kings or rulers to enlist and send their population to battle is evidence of burdensome earthly dominion of worldly rulers. The same rationale holds for the use of “chariots” and “horses” by kings, or the adorning of men to run before them; as with world leaders who have motorcades run before them (2 Samuel 15:1).
2.2 Exploitation of Women
Another attribute of reign of worldly kings is to exploit women. Samuels explains that they “will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers”(1 Samuel 8:13). In this sense, worldly kings would reduce the common use of women to items for satisfaction and pleasure.
This type of the bondage prevalent in societies today in terms of adulteries, prostitution, “multiplying wives”, sex slaves, human trafficking and so on. It also translates to the need for people to multiply silver, gold, and wealth to support these life styles. A pertinent example is King Solomon is who had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (1 Kings 11:3; Isaiah 46:6).
Such kings will “speak great swelling words of vanity, [and] allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error”(2 Peter 2:18). These lusts are sinful and the more they are perpetrated in a society depicts the state of ungodliness and the likelihood that hearts are turned away from God (Deuteronomy 17:17).
2.3 Exploitation of Capital
Predominant under the reign of worldly kings, is the exploitation of people’s assets, income, or resources. The prophet Samuel reveals to Israel that the kings “will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive yards, even the best of them, and give them to [their] servants”. They will also “take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, [and “a tenth of your sheep”] and give to his officers, and to his servants” (1 Samuel 8:14, 15, 17).
A prominent case for this system of oppression is Naboth whose vineyard was coveted by king Ahab of Israel. He was killed in order for the King to possess his land (1 Kings 21:6-16; 1 Samuel 22:7).
In this category we could today also add burdensome, unfair, and unjust interest rates, unjust mortgage foreclosures, system of charges, levies, or taxes that are exploitative of people. In addition consideration should be given to the prevailing practice in churches of claims of “tenth of [peoples’] seed” or income, where these are exploitative.
It would be unjust and exploitative as well where politicians, managers, or persons in authority give their “servants” or “officers” (e.g. supporters, employees, or allies) an unfair advantage (1 Samuel 22:7). Finally, partial Judges who wrest judgement, and take “gift” (or bribes) which “doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous” are perpetrating ungodly worldly reign (Deuteronomy 16: 19).
2.4 Hard Labour and Servitude
Further, earthly kings, will take “your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to [their] work” (1 Samuel 8:16). Such bondage could occur where working conditions are poor or the system is such that people are forced to work extremely hard, day and night to meet their needs.
“While [the rulers] promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage (2 Peter 2:19). In such situations the work and the kings tend to supplant God as the provider, sustainer and keeper and blind their focus from serving the ultimate provider, the living God.
3. REIGN OF GOD-FEARING EARTHLY KINGS
Brethren note that God foreknew that Israel shall reject Him to be like other nations (Deuteronomy 17:17). As he forewarned them of the manner of ungodly kings, so also He established the type of administration of God-fearing earthly kings who may chose to walk in his ways.
God-fearing worldly kings shall only make one a king whom the Lord shall choose, and shall not impose a stranger (Deuteronomy 17:15). They shall not take to themselves many wives, which will turn their hearts away from God. Neither should they be greedy to multiply to themselves riches be it “gold” and “silver”, or “horses” that will cause the people to return to bondage as they were in Egypt (Deuteronomy 17:16-17).
Similarly godly rulers “shall not take of the people’s inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession…” (Ezekiel 46:18). Judges and officers “shall judge the people with just and impartial judgment”, and not taking gifts that may make them pervert justice (Deuteronomy 16:18-20). Above all, God- fearing kings, should study these administrative laws and do them; and should be prideful (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).
4. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
My people of God, though the attributes of earthly kings (the rebellious and God fearing) are completely opposed, we should note that there thrones exist because God permits it. This is the case also for all who are in leadership roles as kings/queens, governments and their officials, military, and authorities at every level of operation. When Governments and people chose leaders, God discerns their hearts can permit the forces that they chose – Godly or ungodly – that influence or inform their reign.
Note that the Godly principles are underpinned by humanity, compassion, justice, fairness accountability, humility and ethical compulsions; whereas the ungodly ones are marked by pride, greed, wickedness, injustice, corruption, wantonness, lusts and immorality, oppression, strife and rebellion.
Invariably brethren, “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness” (Romans 6:16). In other words if you allow yourself to be overcome by ungodliness (including in your choice of leadership), the same ungodliness will keep you under bondage (2 Peter 2:19).
Next week by grace, we shall examine the role of the ungodly earthly kings and the position of God in relation to the bondage of His children. The remaining parts of the series will present the reign of the spiritual heavenly king – Christ “the King of kings”.
PRAYER
Almighty Father, thank you for your word and your faithfulness and mercies
I beseech thee gracious Father, to plead the cause of thy Children against an ungodly nation. Deliver them Dear Lord from the deceitful and unjust rulers.
Holy God thou art the God of their strength: leave them not under the oppression of the enemy. Send out thy light and thy truth and let them lead thy people and bring them unto Jesus, their salvation (Psalm 43:1-3).
I make this prayer in JESUS NAME. Have a blessed Sabbath!
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 27 October 2017.
