Who Wants a Monarchy/Theocracy?
Nowadays, the religious Jews, Bahais and Latter-day Saints anticipate an
eventual theocracy. This is in stark contrast to the secularism and
materialism so prevalent in modern society.
"In biblical times . . . the
monarch was accepted as the sole ruler, with complete authority over his
subjects. The status of kings varied from emperor to vassal as the
kingdoms varied in size from a tribe like Midian to a vast empire such
as Egypt. But the idea common to all was that the direct relationship
between the king and the deity was part of the natural order." (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.)
Another King?
"The primary feature of the
coronation was the anointing of the king's head with oil by a priest or
prophet, the sign of the divine covenant . . ." "In the
northern kingdom of Israel there were many rebellions and frequent
changes of dynasty. In the southern kingdom of Judea the monarchy
remained in the house of David. Prophecies of the future declare that in
the ‘end of days’ the kingdom of the Jews will be returned to a
descendant of the House of David." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
Look at Jer 30:9, Ezek. 34:24, Hosea
3:5, all prophesying of the coming of the Lord and His servant David.
Jews and Mormons in a World Community:
"Within the non-Jewish world . .
. the Jews always constituted a distinct religious grouping . . . it was
this type of corporate structuring of society that made possible the
expulsions, en masse, of whole communities of Jews from specific
territories. But this same social structuring also had positive results
in the preservation of Jewish life in the Diaspora, for it allowed the
Jews an extraordinary measure of freedom to live within their own
circles in accordance with their own laws and religious
requirements." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
Note the similarity to the historical
and present LDS religious and community structure.
Role of a Judge:
Both in the Bible and in The Book of Mormon the term judge has an
ecclesiastical connection. They were the leading elders of the people.
Latter-day Saints have Elders who are the Judges of Israel.
"Now the confessed offender is
not left without hope, for he can obtain forgiveness by following the
course outlined, and by forsaking sins comparable . . . and living
before the Church and the Lord in such manner as to win approbation of
both. The offender who has brought stigma and affront to the ward, the
stake or the mission should seek the forgiveness of those he has thus
offended. That may be had at times through the presiding authorities of
the various divisions of the Church. At other times it may be
appropriate and quite necessary to make amends for public offenses and
seek forgiveness before organizations of the people. The judges of
Israel will determine this matter. (Conf. Rep., Apr., 1954, pp.
10-13.)" (Bruce R.
McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol.3, p.278)
"Elder" Known as Judge:
"Because of the experience of the
aged, old age and wisdom are sometimes regarded as going together. Thus,
throughout the Bible and Talmud, the word ‘elder’ means judge,
leader, or sage. On the other hand, the Book of Job also stresses that
there are young men who are wiser than old men." "The shofet,
or judge, had to meet strict qualifications, besides just knowing
the law. Among these qualifications were piety, wisdom, humility,
gentility and human understanding. When Moses set up the first courts,
he looked for ‘able men such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust
gain’ (Exodus 18:21) and ‘wise men, and understanding and full of
knowledge’ (Deuteronomy 1:13). They were charged to ‘hear the causes
between your brethren and judge righteously between a man and his
brother and the stranger,’ not to be partial in judgment but to ‘hear
the small and the great alike, fear no man, for judgment is God's’
(Deuteronomy 1:16--17)." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
The Latter-day Saints have an
ecclesiastical legal system that includes "Judges in Israel."
They are the Branch Presidents, Bishops and the Stake Presidents.
Called by Revelation not Mere
Impressions:
"Whenever God has . . .
authorized men to perform a work in any age or dispensation, it has been
done by revelations, and not by mere impressions, or some undefinable,
internal feelings . . . Noah was called by the . . . Lord to be a
preacher of righteousness, and to build an ark. Abraham, Lot, Isaac,
Jacob and Joseph, were called by revelation to perform a great variety
of duties. Moses and Aaron were called to the priest's office by the
word of the great Jehovah. Seventy elders of Israel were called by
revelation to assist Moses. Joshua was appointed by the word of the Lord
through Moses to be his successor in leading Israel. The successors of
Aaron were appointed to the priesthood by revelation. The Judges of
Israel were called by visions, by angels and by the inspiration of the
Spirit. And finally, all their officers, wise men and prophets, down to
the days of Malachi, were called by new revelation." (Orson
Pratt Divine Authenticity of BofM, No. 2 (1850), p.17)
"President" in a Religious Sense:
The modern Hebrew word for president is "nasi." "In
biblical use, nasi refers to a person of importance, a leader, a
tribal ruler or a king. Under the Roman occupation of Erez Israel toward
the end of the period of the second Temple, when there was no independent
Jewish leadership, the term nasi was used by Jewish rulers to show
their authority while not claiming kingship."
Justice Is the Fair Administration of
the Law
". . . A judge must not show
special favor to a litigant or a defendant for any reason at all, and
that nobody --- not even the king --- is above the rule of the law. This
concept of even-handedness is, in the Jewish view, absolutely essential
for the existence and progress of society. The Bible quite clearly
states ‘Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive and
occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you’ (Deuteronomy
16:20). The prophets castigated Israelite society for its lack of
justice and described most of the troubles the Jews suffered as divine
punishment for the rampant injustice." (Encyclopedia Judaica
Jr.)
Israeli Government - Unique in Middle East:
The underlying considerations in establishing the modern State of Israel
and its legal system go back to ancient times and the biblical system
while embracing the principles of democracy. Israel is the only democracy
in the Middle East. That probably justifies the government of the United
States of America to be as protective and supportive of Israel as
it is.
The King of Kings must Rule:
For the religious Jews, the varied opinions of the Jewish society, as
noted above, lead to one conclusion. Eventually, the Lord, the King of
Kings must rule. The conflicts posed by enemies, usually driven by
dictatorial mentalities, challenge the prophetic future of modern Israel
just as Amlici, the Lamanites and others challenged the people of Nephi
and their prophets, judges and leaders. The Book of Mormon presents an
account of success over enemies based on following the Lord’s counsel
through his appointed leaders. Their rule gives us a model for our
anticipated rule by the King of Kings. It will be a rule of love with
equality, justice and mercy. The will of the people will be tied to their
will to obey the higher laws of heaven, a theocracy. |