In the book of Judges, a common refrain is a lack of submission of the people to their leader. On two occasions the book says, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). In these statements, some have seen a reference to the future time when Israel would have a monarchy under Saul (I Samuel 8-9). However, I believe the reference to be one of their submission to their rightful king – God. Earlier in the book of Judges, Gideon was asked to become the ruler over Israel after leading their deliverance from the Midianites. His response tells us who the true leader of Israel was. Gideon replied to the request, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you” (Judges 8:23). The ruler of Israel was none other than the Almighty God.
In I Samuel 8, we see for a second time the people of Israel clamoring for a human king. This time they will not be dissuaded. Even after warning the people of the wicked behavior of the king they were asking for (I Samuel 8:9-18), they are still adamant that they need a human king. Their explicit words were, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations” (I Samuel 8:19–20). For one looking back on the history of God’s people, such a desire and decision can be difficult to understand. A nation that is chosen, favored, and ruled by God wants to be like the common nations to the point of rejecting God (I Samuel 8:7). In their mind, all that was lacking for their success was the skill of a talented man leading them.
If we are not cautious, we can be influenced in a like manner today. We all desire wise leadership and the blessings that can come with such. However, we must remember that the problems of this world are not foundationally things that a man can solve. They are not political, financial, or social in nature. The problem is one of sin (Romans 1:18-32). With that being the case, God is the only remedy. So often we see as part of our work getting people to see the positive attributes of a certain man who is seeking a leadership position in our nation. This can be a good and right thing to do, but it also has limitations. We must spend the majority of our time, by far, getting people to see the glory, majesty, and sovereignty of God. He is the answer. If more people come to believe in the God of the Bible, the problems in this world will shrink back. This is what was needed in the days of Samuel when Israel asked for a king, and it is what we need today. As you consider this, think on the words of Psalm 146:
“Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!”
