FIGHTING GOD’S RULE
Judges 8:23 “And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.”
This was the very spirit of He Who came from heaven to serve mankind. Here was clearly manifested the decline of the people from the high ideal and central glory of their national life. They were a Theocracy, needing (and so far having) no king other than Jehovah. Their creation as a nation by God was in order that this true conception of life should have its manifestation among other nations. Their peculiarity was their distinctive feature, and their secret of power among the nations surrounding them. All the recurring discipline through which they passed resulted from their rebellion against the rule of God, and constituted His method of restoring them to that rule. They found relief in the judges who were raised up of God and began to hanker after some ruler visible, and of their own number. They thought that, by securing this, they would preserve themselves from the recurrence of these troubles. So they proposed establishing a hereditary rulership, that is, kingship and they asked Gideon to accept the position. He declined in these words, and by so doing revealed his clear understanding of the truth about the nation. That is the true attitude of all those whom God raises up to pastor and be a guardian for His people. Their service must always stop short of sovereignty, by choosing to be a servant. (Matt. 23:10) Their business is never that of superseding the Divine rule, but of interpreting it, and of serving the people to recognition of it, and submission to it, truly representing He Who came down from heaven to serve rather than be served. They are to be an example to the flock. This is true, not only of kings, but also of priests, prophets, and preachers. Cf. Matt 23:10; Luke 22:27; 1 Pet 5:1.
One Leader of and in the Church.
One Lord of the Church.
One Master of the Church.
No Bosses.
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