Topical Bible: Government: Mosaic: Chose, or Ratified, the Chief Ruler

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In the Mosaic system of governance, the selection and ratification of the chief ruler were deeply intertwined with divine guidance and communal consent. This process is exemplified in the leadership of Moses and later Joshua, who were chosen by God and affirmed by the people of Israel.

Moses as Chief Ruler

Moses stands as the quintessential leader in the Mosaic system, chosen directly by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. His selection is recorded in Exodus 3:10, where God commands Moses, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." Moses' leadership was not merely a personal calling but was confirmed through signs and wonders, which validated his divine appointment to the people of Israel.

The ratification of Moses' leadership by the people is seen in their acceptance of his role as mediator between them and God. In Exodus 19:8, the people respond to Moses, "We will do everything the LORD has spoken." This collective affirmation underscores the communal aspect of leadership ratification in the Mosaic system.

Joshua as Successor

The transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua further illustrates the process of choosing and ratifying a chief ruler. God Himself appoints Joshua as Moses' successor, as seen in Numbers 27:18-20: "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly and commission him in their presence."

This divine appointment is ratified by the community through a public commissioning, ensuring that Joshua's leadership is recognized and accepted by the entire assembly. The communal aspect is crucial, as it reflects the people's willingness to follow Joshua as they had followed Moses.

Role of the Assembly

The assembly of Israel played a significant role in the ratification process. While God chose the leader, the people's acceptance was necessary for effective governance. This is evident in Deuteronomy 34:9, where it is noted, "Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses."

The laying on of hands by Moses and the subsequent obedience of the Israelites highlight the importance of both divine selection and communal ratification in the Mosaic system. The leader was not only a representative of God's will but also a servant of the people, accountable to both divine and communal expectations.

Conclusion

The Mosaic model of choosing and ratifying a chief ruler emphasizes a balance between divine appointment and communal consent. This dual aspect ensured that the leader was both divinely sanctioned and publicly affirmed, providing a stable foundation for governance in ancient Israel.

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Numbers 27:18-23
And the LORD said to Moses, Take you Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him;
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1 Samuel 10:24
And Samuel said to all the people, See you him whom the LORD has chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
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1 Samuel 8:4-22
Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel to Ramah,
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1 Samuel 11:14,15
Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
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2 Samuel 3:17-21
And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, You sought for David in times past to be king over you:
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2 Samuel 5:1-3
Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
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1 Chronicles 29:22
And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him to the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.
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2 Chronicles 23:3
And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said to them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD has said of the sons of David.
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Library

St. Gregory the Great.
... The Mosaic pavements split ... He chose for himself, in opposition to the bishop John's
arrogated ... introduced peace, order, and stability into the government of the ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... Chlothar [511-561; 558-561, as surviving son of Chlodowech, sole ruler of the ... despised
that church; therefore you shall be withheld from the government of it ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm