“What in the World is Going On?” (part 2)

This probably should have been included within Part 1, but better late than never I suppose.

We noted there that the Lord attributed a large portion of the world’s troubles to ungodly, unruly, and arrogant rulers. We have also seen, in the ministry of Elijah, the suffering of the people of Israel under the negligence and disobedience of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.

Before completing this study, which will be Part 3 (Psalm 2:7-12), it seems appropriate to pause for a time to consider the role of kings/ rulers in ancient times. This will not be exhaustive nor highly academic but will, hopefully, contribute to our understanding of this psalm.

Historians, archeologists, and anthropologists tell us that most people-groups in the ancient world were mindful of the necessity of harmony and order in their environment. That is, their survival depended on regular seasons, abundant rains, green pastures, fertile fields, plentiful wildlife, teeming waters, etc. Therefore, they tended to project these needs in the formation of “gods” who would provide and supply them. Their connection with these “gods” was vested in the person of a king/ruler who was no mere political figure nor military warrior but a part of the divine order. In many cultures, such as in Egypt, these rulers (pharaohs) became “gods” after their death. A great portion of the king’s time and efforts were dedicated to “religious rituals” designed to please the “gods” and fight the forces which disrupt that harmonious order. Their understanding was that if the king succeeded, the people prospered; if not, they suffered. Therefore, they honored the king, praised the king and prayed for the king. In him lay their hope for health and prosperity.

Although the history of Israel was somewhat different due to their understanding of God as Creator and Provider, the writings of the Old Testament allude to a special role assigned to kings which the people recognized. We recall how Abraham met Melchizedek (king of righteousness), King of Salem (Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:1-4) and paid tithes to him. Then, too, a number of the Psalms of David (known as the Royal Psalms) refer to the blessings of the Lord on the king as well as His judgement on the king’s sins and shortfalls (Psalm 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 132, etc.). These concepts are also addressed in the writings of the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.

It could be said, even in view of the above, that God’s plan for Israel was that they have only one King. As we read, “I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion” (Psalm 2: 6). (We will work with this in our next part.) What took place at the choosing of Israel’s first king may shed some light on this thought.

Israel was emerging from a very difficult period we know as the “days of the judges”. A righteous man, Samuel, who has been described as the last of the judges and the first of the prophets, was attempting to restore Israel’s trust in God and guiding them to a better future. As he aged, however, the people began asking him to “Make for us a king to judge us like all the nations” (I Samuel 8:5). Being displeased himself at this, Samuel approached the Lord who answered, “they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them” (vs.7). So, the Lord directed Samuel to give them what they wanted, but to warn them of the consequences of having an earthly king. A summary of verses 11-17:

• He will take your sons to form his army
• He will appoint some to plow his fields and reap his harvest
• He will appoint some to make his weapons and equipment
• He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers
• He will take the best of your fields, vineyards and olive groves and give to his servants
• He will take a tenth of your grain and wine for his officers and servants
• He will take your servants (workers) and finest young men and animals and put to his work
• He will take a tenth of your sheep
• And you will be his servants
• And when you cry out because of the king you have chosen for yourselves, the Lord will not hear you

Despite the warning of those sacrifices, the people insisted that they wanted a king, “that we also may be like all the nations and that our king may judge us (by his own standards, not God’s) and go out before us and fight our battles” (vs.20). They seemed willing to bear the cost and accept the bonds of the governing power.

The Lord God gave them their wish and Saul became the first king of Israel.

With that in mind, it is evident in Psalm 2 (written about 15 years after Saul’s death) that God was not pleased with the kings and rulers in the Middle East in David’s time. His rebuke is stern and clear as we noted in Part 1, but in His great mercy and lovingkindness He shines a light on His divine plan for His King. Furthermore, our gracious God offers a pathway of repentance and restoration even for those wayward rulers.

That good news will come in our final portion, Part 3.

To God be the Glory!

Fr. Andrew and Kh. Dannie