Israel was never supposed to have a human king. Why? Because the whole point of its creation was that Yahweh (God) Himself was to be her King. They were to be the sample nation: a physical representation of a future (spiritual) nation whose builder, maker and King was the Lord. But they rejected Him:
‘’And the Lord told him (Samuel): “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.’’ 1 Samuel 8:7
Human administrators – Prophets, Priests, Judges and other Leaders - were to be just that: administrators carrying out the will of God according to his instructions, standing on behalf of the people. They were not to take over from the Lord to become the people’s God or King. In fact, from the Garden of Eden, the Lord has always related with mankind (Adam) directly through His Word (voice). In Israel, Yahweh wanted to relate with his people directly, but they asked that He speak to them through Moses. That fear and unworthiness is what the sacrifice of Jesus came to remove. Now Israel (the Body of Christ) need not fear and needs no other intermediary. Jesus - the last intermediary, completed the work by bridging the division created by Adam’s sin.
As leaders in Israel, the job now is to point the Lord’s people back to Him as their only King.
When they come to us, we encourage them to look to Him. As often as they come, we train them by sending them back to his word with this guidance: “Go and lie down. If he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.’” (1 Samuel 3:9). The heart of every leader in a Nation of Kings and Priests should be to have every one of its citizens trained and operating as Kings and Priests. Moses exemplified this heart in his reply to Joshua, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”.
The people may try to exalt you, but the onus is on us - the Lord’s appointed or anointed guides in Zion - to insist on remaining in our place as UNDER-shepherds. Because as the Chief Shepherd (Jesus) Himself said,
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.’’ (John 13:13–17)
Our Lord and Teacher is the Word of God and his holy Spirit. As it was meant to be in Israel of old, it should be in the Israel of Christ: The Word of the Lord himself rules as King. Now, to pastor, priest and people, the Word of God is Sovereign. No group, denomination, race, creed or culture can take its place. No government or authority can overrule its guidance. And no one should attempt to replace its headship. Our Kingdom is first Spiritual and its head is therefore spiritual: Jesus - the very word of the Father.
The body of Christ does not need more Human rulership or words, it needs more spiritual governance: the unrestrained autonomy of the word of the Good Shepherd over the lives of His People. His word has the potency and authority to enact real change or establish order. We need to trust it.
''For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.'' Hebrews 4:12 AMP
Leaders who direct the affairs of the church well will always be due double honour (especially those whose work is preaching and teaching) and every authority respected as we remain one people under JESUS-the-Christ.
(1Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 13:17, Ephesians 1:18-23, John 16:13)
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‘’So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.’’ Romans 12:5
‘’But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.’’ Matthew 28:9-11 KJV
‘’But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.’’ 1 Corinthians 15:23-25 NIV
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