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Biblical Context Studies

In the initial stage of Israel's government, there was just Moses. But the burden of governing so many people was too great for him:

The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. (The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you. (Deuteronomy 1:10-13)

The Dake Annotated Reference Bible offers the following summary of the development of government in Israel, on page 197 of the Old Testament:

Government in Israel (Dt. 1:17)

  1. Patriarchal. This refers to the rule of Israel by the patriarchs: Abraham (Gen. 12-25), Isaac (Gen. 26-27), and Jacob (Gen. 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 (Ex. 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 (Ex. 3:16, 18; 4:29; 12:21; 17:5-6; 18:12; 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 (Dt. 5:23), nobles of Israel (Ex. 24:1-11); judges and chief fathers of the families making the tribes (Dt. 1:15; Num. 36:1). Of these seventy were chosen to be judges (Dt. 1:16; Ex. 24:1-11; Num. 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 (Josh. 24:31; Judg. 2:7-15; 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 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 (Judg. 2:16-23; 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 Sam. 8-10). Kings ruled until the Babylonian captivity in 616 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 a.d. 70 when Israel, because of rejecting Christ their Messiah, was destroyed and dispersed as a nation (Mt. 23:37-39; Lk. 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 Sam. 8:2-22), chose kings (2 Sam. 3:17-21; 5:3), and advised and assisted in government (2 Sam. 12:17; 1 Chr. 15:25; 21:16; 1 Ki. 8:1-3; 12:6:13; 20:7-8; see also Ezra 9:1; 10:8-14; Mt. 15:2-9; 21:23; 26:2-68; 27:1-2; Mk. 7:1-13; Acts 4:1-21; 6:9-15; 7:1-59; 9:1).
  7. Municipal. Locally the municipal form of government prevailed (19:12; 21:2-21; 22:13-21; 25:7-9; Josh. 20:4; Judg. 8:14-16; 11:5-11; Ruth 4:2-11; 1 Sam. 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.

     

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