The Creator Reveals Himself-To Our Benefit- Rule Without a Human King

Throughout the wilderness sojourn and during the early years in the Promised land, the nation had Moses and then Joshua as leaders.  The Israelites did not need a human king, for Jehovah was  their Sovereign.  He made provision for appointed older men to hear legal cases at the city gates.  They maintained order and assisted the people  spiritually.  (Deuteronomy 16:18; 21:18-20)  The book of Ruth offers a fascinating glimpse of how such older men handled a legal case based on the law found at Deuteronomy 25:7-9. 

Over the years, the nation often incurred God's disfavor by disobeying him repeatedly and turning to Canaanite gods.  Still, when they came to be in sore straits and called to Jehovah for help, he remembered them.  He raised up judges to take the lead in freeing Israel, rescuing them from oppressive neighboring people.  The book named Judges vividly presents the exploits of these courageous  judges. -Judges 2:11-19; Nehemiah 9:27.  

The record says:  "In those days there was no king in Israel. What was right in his own eyes was what each one was accustomed to do."  (Judges 21:25)  The nation had the standards set out in the Law, so with the help of the older men and instruction from the priests, the people had a basis to 'do what was right in their own eyes' and be secure in this. Furthermore, the Law code provided for  a tabernacle, or portable temple, where sacrifices were offered.  True worship was centered there and helped to unite the nation during that time. 

Next time: The Creator Reveals Himself-To Our Benefit - Part Two-Prosperity Under Kings

From the book Is There a Creator That Cares About You?