Category: General

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What Were Israel’s forms of government in the Old Testament?

November 6 is election day in the United States of America. So our trivia question for today is:

Which of the following forms of government did Israel NOT have in the Old Testament?
A. Anarchy
B. Democracy
C. Monarchy
D. Theocracy

The answer is “B” – Israel did not have a democratic form of government during the Old Testament. They started with a Theocracy, went through a period of Anarchy, before choosing a Monarchy.

 

Theocracy

The Israelites initially had a theocracy (ruled directly by God) beginning with God establishing His covenant with Abraham [1] through the days of Moses and Joshua. For example, God led the people out of Egypt and through the wilderness to the promised land using a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. [2] When the pillar moved, the people moved. God was training the people to follow Him (and for today’s believers, He does that through the Holy Spirit).

 

Anarchy

God told the people of Israel that when they entered the promised land, they were to: [3]
  • Utterly destroy the people living there
  • Not make covenants with them
  • Break down their altars/images
  • Not marry them or allow their children to marry them

However, after entering the promised land, the people did not heed God’s commandments. Because of this, God did not drive out their enemies but left them in place to be a thorn and snare to Israel. [4]

As such, there was a period of anarchy. During this time “every man did what was right in his own eyes” [5] and sin and injustice was rampant throughout the land. Once in a while, the people would cry out to God and He would raise up a judge (such as Gideon and Samson), that He would use to temporarily deliver the people from their enemies. But they would return to their wicked ways. During this time, “the word of the Lord was rare and there was no widespread revelation”. [6]

 

Monarchy

The judge/prophet, Samuel, was the bridge between the period of the judges and the establishment of the monarchy. [7] In fact, Samuel anointed the first [8] and second [9] kings of Israel (Saul and David respectively). God would have established Saul and his descendants to rule Israel forever, but due to his disobedience and unlawful sacrifice, the kingdom was given to David instead. [10]

 

Scripture References:

  1. Genesis 17:1-16
  2. Exodus 13:21-22
  3. Exodus 34:10-17
  4. Judges 2:1-4
  5. Judges 17:6
  6. 1 Samuel 3:1
  7. 1 Samuel 8:1-9
  8. 1 Samuel 9:27-10:1
  9. 1 Samuel 16:11-13
  10. 1 Samuel 13:13-14

 

Other References

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Welcome to BibleStorm

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”

This is an appropriate Word for me today. I am the head of a household that consists of my wife and 3 young kids and I’m also the first born son of elderly parents. As such, it is so easy for me to slip into thinking and worrying about how we will pay the kids’ childcare fees or the mortgage or help out with our parent’s needs and in general make ends meet. I wonder how I can make more money or how to slash expenses to bring our budget (i.e. income versus spending) back in alignment.

This is particularly acute for me because I grew up in a household where we didn’t have enough. My family frequently got handouts (food, clothing, etc) and even government assistance growing up. Unconsciously and consciously, I wanted to do better than that for my family. In fact part of my initial thinking was to be self sufficient and never get married or have kids to ensure I had enough.

The funny thing is that my years of worrying have not made the situation better. Even when I have managed to make some headway, some unforeseen event has quickly derailed those plans. But what I have come to recognize in hindsight is that the Lord has been with me and has been faithful. Yes, circumstances have been challenging at times but I have also seen God provide for my family’s needs miraculously and supernaturally. And that when I allow the Holy Spirit to lead me, I do not have to worry about how the results will turn out.

I have come to realize that each day, moment, decision, opportunity, trial or circumstance, I have a choice. I can focus on what’s in front of me and believe what I see.

Or I can have faith in God and believe what He has said.

God is the one that has said “do not worry” (1) and “fear not” (2). He is the one who has said “Be content with what you have … for He will never leave me nor forsake me” (3). That He “will uphold me with His righteous right hand” (4) for His name’s sake. That He will “provide for all my needs according to His riches in glory” (5). That because I have accepted and acknowledged Him as my Shepherd, “I shall not lack any good thing” (6). That His “goodness and His mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (7). That “with God nothing is impossible” (8) and that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (9).

Frankly, God has also said that “above all, He wants us to prosper in all things and be in good health, even as our soul prospers” (10). How do I get my soul to prosper you may ask? By meditating on the Word of God day and night (11). And through being transformed by the renewing of my mind (12).

Which brings me back to the antidote to worry as described by Jesus –
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”

Here at BibleStorm, we are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God.

 

Our prayer is that these trivia cards are a fun way to (re)introduce the bible, biblical themes and concepts. And as a result, you develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word.

Welcome to BibleStorm, where we are illuminating hidden truths found in God’s Word.

PS: Check out our salvation appeal page to learn more about Jesus Christ and how to receive Him as Lord and Savior.

#BibleStormTrivia #BibleStorm

Scripture References
  1. Matthew 6:25
  2. Isaiah 41:10
  3. Hebrews 13:5
  4. Isaiah 41:10
  5. Philippians 4:19
  6. Psalms 23:1
  7. Psalms 23:6
  8. Luke 1:37
  9. Philippians 4:13
  10. 3 John 1:2
  11. Joshua 1:8
  12. Romans 12:2