KINGS

Around 10,000 BCE in the early days of the new nation Israel, the people were led by “judges”, men and women appointed by God who would rise up to lead their people during times of tumult and great need. Their prophet and judge of that time Samuel was coming to the end of his days and although well regarded, he had two sons who were not like him and did evil in the sight of the people. The people grew tired of this and cried out for a human king to rule over them. But God had already decreed his nation to be holy and set apart by Him and for Him. There was to be no king but Him. Even so they had decided that they wanted to be like all the other nations who had their own rulers. In truth, their cries to be like the other nations was a rejection of His rule in their lives. They wanted the benefits of His hand but on their own terms. The role of the judge was not enough for them.

This vexed Samuel as the elders called for him to petition to appoint them a king who would rule in all the ways Samuel’s corrupted sons could not. He prayed to God and God answered him,

“they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them”

- 1 Samuel 8:7

So, God relented and gave them what they wanted but with a warning that their king would come to overrule and oppress them. With a human king, all would be taken from them as they would have children, goods, servants, and livestock seized for his uses. - 1 Samuel 8:11-18. He would be a despot and place himself on equal footing with God by requiring a tithe of all their goods. -1 Samuel 8:15, 17. And the people would become slaves to their king. -1 Samuel 8:17. The people would cry out because of the hard rule upon them, but God had determined that He would not answer their pleas. 1 Samuel 8:18, “You will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.” God would allow the earthly king’s hard rule as the hand of judgement upon Israel from Himself.

But despite these warnings the people persisted so that they might be like the other nations. God had long ago determined that one day Israel would have a king. It was always within His plan to give the people a true ruler, but one holy and righteous, one unspotted and royal come in human flesh, but also of the Spirit. But the Israelites were impatient and wanted what they wanted in the now.

Their demands meant that their human kingship would be a judgement on them for rejecting their purpose God had specially given them. …and God gave them up to their sin. A few good kings aside, the weight of Israel’s history is full of wicked and oppressive rulers.

But Jesus was and is that only true and unblemished good king. He is all purity and He does not take from His own people, He does not mock nor force rule or demonize. There is no turning of corruption or slander and He rules justly. His temple is not a place to make personal gain like the earthly kings who make mammon from His scripture with the likeness of Caesar printed on it. Who use it for their own ends. He is a true and unwavering King that gives goodness, mercy, purpose, value, standing, and eternal life. God’s warring isn’t against any perceived nationalist threat or making this nation great again nor do they involve currying power or the twisting of truths. He is all truth and He came for the victory over the hearts of men. He did not come to be served, but to serve, and led a life of restrained power and humility even to the point of humiliation on a cross. Such notions no earthly king could even begin to understand, instead it would be mocked as weak and foolish.

This Jesus is not like today’s rulers who desire kingship and whose fruits are dead and withered on the vine. This is the only true King the people have need of. This is the only true king the greater church must have. Like ages before in the time of the judges the people cry out for kings and celebrate fiefdoms made by twisted hands that look for leverages.

And just like that age before He will set His judgement to fall and then decline to answer. But He has also raised up His own voices in the desert to speak. And perhaps for the penitent and those who turn back to His kingship, perhaps then He will offer up mercy and relief in those days now that judgement stands at the door. It has been before and so it shall be again.