|
|
During
the First Covenant
Government
in Israel—First Covenant
1.
Patriarchal. This refers to the rule of Israel by
the patriarchs: Abraham (Genesis 12-25), Isaac (Genesis 26-27), and Jacob (Genesis
28-50). It was a one-man government, the ruler being the successive head of
the tribe. 2.
Tribal. This was the form of government when
Israel began to multiply and Jacob was dead. The heads of families or of
separate tribes ruled (Exodus 6:14). 3.
Representative. As the Israelites became more
numerous the tribal headship idea began to change to a larger representation
of authority. Several nobles, princes, or chief men of the main families of a
tribe became the rulers, with one head elder for each tribe. Together these
were called the elders of Israel (Exodus 3:16,18; Exodus 4:29; Exodus 12:21;
Exodus 17:5-6; Exodus 18:12; Exodus 19:7). 4.
Mosaic. Representative elders of the tribes
continued with Moses being the chief ruler. It was more like a one-man rule again
with the chief ruler answering only to God. The elders under Moses consisted
of heads of the tribes (Deut. 5:23), nobles of Israel (Exodus 24:1-11);
judges and chief fathers of the families making the tribes (Deut. 1:15;
Numbers 36:1). Of these seventy were chosen to be judges (Deut. 1:16; Exodus
24:1-11; Numbers 11:13-27). They were the ruling court of all Israel during
the Mosaic form of government. Aaron served as chief deputy under Moses. Then
came a new element of authority in Israel. The tribe of Levi was chosen to be
the ministers. From these the high priest was chosen. He had great power and
authority in the affairs of Israel, serving as a mediator between God and the
people. Under Joshua the total power that belonged to Moses was divided between
the civil and ecclesiastical heads. 5.
Judicial. The Mosaic form of government continued
until Joshua and the elders under him died. After that, government became
somewhat disorganized. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes
(Joshua 24:31; Judges 2:7-15; Judges 17:6; Judges 18:1; Judges 19:1; Judges
21:25). During this time-for 450 years until Samuel the prophet-God raised up
judges to deliver Israel from enemies and rule certain sections of Israel
(Judges 2:16-23; Judges 3:1-4; Acts 13:20). 6.
Monarchic. The judicial form of government
continued until Samuel the prophet; then Israel demanded a king like the
other nations (1 Samuel 8-10). Kings ruled until the Babylonian captivity in
606 B.C.-about 513 years. After the captivity of 70 years, Israel had no king
but was ruled by the Sanhedrin or body of elders, headed by the high priest
or some other individual chosen for the position. This continued until 70
A.D. when Israel, because of rejecting Christ their Messiah, was destroyed
and dispersed as a nation (Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 21:20-24). During all these periods of Israel's history,
regardless of the form of government, the elders were always prominent and
successfully dictated many things. They demanded a king (1 Samuel 8:2-22),
chose kings (2 Samuel 3:17-21; 2 Samuel 5:3), and advised and assisted in
government (2 Samuel 12:17; 1 Chron. 15:25; 1 Chron. 21:16; 1 Kings 8:1-3; 1
Kings 12:6:13; 1 Kings 20:7-8; see also Ezra 9:1; Ezra 10:8-14; Matthew
15:2-9; Matthew 21:23; Matthew 26:2-68; Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 7:1-13; Acts
4:1-21; Acts 6:9-15; Acts 7:1-59; Acts 9:1). 7.
Municipal. Locally the municipal form of
government prevailed (Deut. 19:12; Deut. 21:2-21; Deut. 22:13-21; Deut.
25:7-9; Joshua 20:4; Judges 8:14-16; Judges 11:5-11; Ruth 4:2-11; 1 Samuel 11:3;
Ezra 10:8,14; Neh. 3:9-19). 8.
Theocratic. A theocracy is a government ruled by
God. This form was always in the background in Israel. It was God who called
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, the judges, and many of the
kings. The Lord was very prominent in the lives of the patriarchs. As
Israel's government developed, He gave the laws, directing every phase of
life until the death of Joshua. During the judges, He periodically intervened
when the people turned to Him. The same was true during the time of the kings
and after the captivities. When Israel consulted God and trusted Him, He was
their leader. He sent many prophets and apostles to rebuke them, hoping to
salvage something of the nation in every century, until He finally had to
abandon them to complete dispersion.
[Source] The U.S. Supreme Court, in a
footnote to the 1961 decision of Torcaso v. Watkins, stated that different ideological
systems – including secular humanism could be defined as religion. Yet
secular humanism
claims to be “pure" of religion and morality. What is Government's Real Nature? Understand Socialism's Nature See Separation of Church and State Understand Islam Enjoy a simple explanation of the different systems of government throughout the world and the different economic principles underlying each type of government — illuminating the unique virtues of the U.S.A. See Are We Causing Global Warming? Understand the Same Sex Sexuality Movement’s Real Nature See Israel See the 21-fold Plan of God |
|
