Richard Aberdeen
Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2026
- Messages
- 217
From when Israel had no king: "And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me. . .they have forsaken me and served other gods, so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them'"; see I Samuel 8:6-22.
It may surprise some to learn that God did not want a king to rule over Israel. It is the way of the world throughout history that people subject themselves to rule by other people. And not surprisingly, people are often sorry for doing so. Not just political rulers, but humans often allow intellectuals, teachers, preachers, psychologists, celebrities and other people to rule and lord it over them, as if such flawed human beings are any better. If we don't want the King of Kings to rule over us, then we suffer the consequences of answering to other people, who are just sinners like we are.
According to the New Testament, we "owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law" Romans 13:8. As followers of Jesus, we do not answer to other people, but to God alone will we give an account. But we should obey the laws of our society, unless they conflict with God's will, for conscience sake, so that we may live in peace while here on earth Romans 13:1-7.
Few there are, who really listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 23:7-12: "But you, do not be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, the Messiah and, you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father, for one is your father, he who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers, for one is your teacher, the Messiah. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled and, he who humbles himself will be exalted."
It may surprise some to learn that God did not want a king to rule over Israel. It is the way of the world throughout history that people subject themselves to rule by other people. And not surprisingly, people are often sorry for doing so. Not just political rulers, but humans often allow intellectuals, teachers, preachers, psychologists, celebrities and other people to rule and lord it over them, as if such flawed human beings are any better. If we don't want the King of Kings to rule over us, then we suffer the consequences of answering to other people, who are just sinners like we are.
According to the New Testament, we "owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law" Romans 13:8. As followers of Jesus, we do not answer to other people, but to God alone will we give an account. But we should obey the laws of our society, unless they conflict with God's will, for conscience sake, so that we may live in peace while here on earth Romans 13:1-7.
Few there are, who really listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 23:7-12: "But you, do not be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, the Messiah and, you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father, for one is your father, he who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers, for one is your teacher, the Messiah. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled and, he who humbles himself will be exalted."
