Israel's Formation of Government as Model for the Nations
Remember that the truths of the Bible are told primarily in story form. We study the history and context, but we will never be in the same circumstances as Moses and Israel, so their application will not necessarily work for us. The principles, however, are God's truth and are applicable in new and dynamic ways in any age, any set o circumstances in any nation.
Deuteronomy 1:9-18
9At that time I said to you, “I am unable by myself to bear you. 10The Lord your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars of heaven. 11May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times more and bless you, as he has promised you! 12But how can I bear the heavy burden of your disputes all by myself? 13Choose for each of your tribes individuals who are wise, discerning, and reputable to be your leaders.” 14You answered me, “The plan you have proposed is a good one.” 15So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and reputable individuals, and installed them as leaders over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officials, throughout your tribes. 16I charged your judges at that time: “Give the members of your community a fair hearing, and judge rightly between one person and another, whether citizen or resident alien. 17You must not be partial in judging: hear out the small and the great alike; you shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s. Any case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.” 18So I charged you at that time with all the things that you should do.
The Purpose of Government: Deuteronomy 1:9-12
One of the foundational principles in this passage is that the primary purpose of government is to serve the population of a nation by providing an objective, trustworthy source of arbitration and justice. The system of government was organized in such a way that it could serve the needs of people both "small and great" alike (v17). God looked at the judicial needs of the people considering that their current system was not adequate for a population as big as approximately 2 million people at that time the instruction was given.
The Authority of Government: Deuteronomy 1:13
Israel was coming out of Egypt from a 300 years of slavery in a form of a "large family" which originally came from the 70 people of Jacob's clan. Most probably they lack the formal education and lived almost in poverty. God chooses a man in Moses and speak with Him directly. Instead of just directing Moses to choose for himself the people to represent the tribes, God instructed them to choose for themselves those who fit the requirement given by God - wise, understanding and respected men. God did not impose His will but instead He gave the people of Israel the right to choose their political leaders. God is preparing Israel in transition towards the future when they will occupy the promise land later on.
Perhaps you are thinking: "But didn't the prophets actually choose the kings? Not exactly. God did use the prophets to point to the leader He thought would serve their best interest. At God's direction they anointed these leaders with oil, prayed and prophesied over them. But we do not see a king in Israel actually crowned king until we hear words like, "All Israel gathered and took so and so as their king." This principle of authority of the people to choose their political leaders is tested in the lie of David.
We have to wonder why God would design government to have its authority in the people. Wouldn't it better for people to just be told by a loving, benevolent God what is best for them? Evidently not. But it appears that the discipleship of a nation, as well as individuals, is tied to the cause-and-effect learning process of experiencing the blessing or cursing that comes automatically from making choices. In other words, it was more important for Israel to make their choice, even if it was not a perfect choice, and to learn from the consequences.
Character Does Matter: Deuteronomy 1:13
God did not leave Israel floundering in a vacuum with their choices of political leaders. He gave them guidelines (v13) focused on character, knowledge, and the leader's reputation.
Representative: Deuteronomy 1:13
Political representation is a biblical principle. ''...from each of the tribes..." means every tribe must be represented. If the purpose of the government is to truly represent the people by arbitrating their disputes and issues of justice, if the authority of government truly comes from the people, then the people have to be truly represented.
Consensus: Deuteronomy 1:14
This short verse reinforced the authority of the people. Israel agreed to be governed in this way. This principle of consensus is so important that Jesus refers to it as a principle of God's kingdom in the New Testament. "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined..." The principle is this: a nation with consensus has a more stable government.
The Judicial Branch: Deuteronomy 1:16-18
These verses lay down such powerful principles of justice that every just court system in the world uses them, and every court on earth today would be more just of the principles were thoroughly implemented.
In verse 17, Israel's judicial system was exhorted to judge without partiality. Justice belongs to God, Moses reminded them. As judges, they were not to be afraid of other people, powers, or influences. They were to remember that, s government agents of justice, they stood first and foremost before God. Moses also laid down the last principle of judicial system in this passage. There is to be a process of appeal.
Study Help:
The domain of government reveals: The King of Kings
The primary attribute o God revealed in government: Justice
God governs this domain through: Delegation of authority to the people
Closing Note:
God is calling us to be good citizen as part of the witness of your faith. Political action and interest are not "secular" in the sense that they are not important or the believer. God instituted government, and He gave you and me responsibility for it. We should explain to our children that God gave us this great right and responsibility to be involved in our political life, and we must cherish and safeguard this right.
As believers we are to believe that our involvement makes a difference because it makes a difference to God. We are to teach our children that serving in government is a high calling, and i God has gifted our children in this area then He may call them and favor them. If this is the case, they will have a much higher purpose in their occupation then "just making money". They must know that they serve God and must have the mind of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the strategic prayer support if their work is to accomplish smething o lasting value for the Kingdom.
To The Government Professional:
If you are a lawyer, judge, police officer, civil servant, soldier, elected official, social worker, or serve in the government in any capacity, you have a high calling from God. First, you must be just in your dealings with people; then you must work to make the institutions, systems, and laws just. What would our nation look like if every Christian professional made this their passion and pursued it with a sense of call?
God will always start with one. Someone willing to take on the mind of Christ in the political arena and apply it in his life and work and then to the institutions.
Source:
The Old Testament Template - Rediscovering God's Principles for Discipling the Nations by Landa Cope / Template Institute copyright @2006 ISBN: 10-2-8399-0124-2 http://www.templateinstitute.com
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