Topical Bible: The Jews: Under the Theocracy Until the Time of Samuel

◄ The Jews: Under the Theocracy Until the Time of Samuel ►

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Introduction

The period of the theocracy in Israel, spanning from the Exodus until the establishment of the monarchy under Saul, is a significant era in biblical history. During this time, the Israelites were governed directly by God through divinely appointed leaders, judges, and prophets. This entry explores the key aspects of this theocratic period, highlighting the religious, social, and political dynamics that shaped the nation of Israel.

The Exodus and Covenant at Sinai

The theocratic era began with the Exodus, as God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage under the leadership of Moses. This foundational event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, where God established a covenant with the Israelites at Mount Sinai. The giving of the Law, including the Ten Commandments, formed the basis of Israel's national identity and religious life. As stated in Exodus 19:5-6 , "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

Wilderness Wanderings and Conquest of Canaan

Following the covenant at Sinai, the Israelites embarked on a 40-year journey through the wilderness, a period marked by divine provision and testing. The books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy detail this era, emphasizing God's guidance and the people's frequent disobedience. Upon entering the Promised Land, under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites engaged in the conquest of Canaan, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. This conquest was seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and his descendants.

The Period of the Judges

After Joshua's death, Israel entered a time known as the period of the Judges, characterized by a cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Judges 2:16-19 summarizes this cycle: "Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges, but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commands. Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, He was with the judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them."

During this time, notable judges such as Deborah, Gideon, and Samson emerged, each delivering Israel from its enemies and restoring a measure of peace and order. However, the lack of centralized leadership often led to moral and spiritual decline, as "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

Religious and Social Life

The theocratic period was marked by a strong emphasis on religious observance and adherence to the Mosaic Law. The Tabernacle served as the central place of worship, where sacrifices and offerings were made. The priesthood, established through Aaron and his descendants, played a crucial role in maintaining the spiritual life of the nation. Festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles were integral to Israel's religious calendar, fostering communal identity and remembrance of God's acts.

Socially, the Israelites were organized into tribes, each with its own territory and leadership. The tribal system provided a framework for governance and justice, with elders and judges adjudicating disputes. The Law emphasized justice, mercy, and care for the vulnerable, including widows, orphans, and foreigners.

Samuel: The Last Judge and Prophet

The theocratic period culminated in the ministry of Samuel, a pivotal figure who served as both judge and prophet. Samuel's birth and calling are recounted in 1 Samuel 1-3, where his mother Hannah's prayer and dedication of her son to the Lord set the stage for his leadership. Samuel's role was crucial in transitioning Israel from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy.

Under Samuel's guidance, Israel experienced a spiritual renewal, as he called the people to repentance and faithfulness to the covenant. 1 Samuel 7:3 records his exhortation: "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve Him only, and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."

Despite Samuel's leadership, the Israelites demanded a king to lead them, desiring to be like other nations. This request marked the end of the theocratic period and the beginning of the monarchy, as God instructed Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel's first king (1 Samuel 8-10).

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 19:4-6
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to myself.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 8:7
And the LORD said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you: for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Remaining Books of the Old Testament.
... ascribed to them, and it is certain that the Jews of Palestine ... the writer's relation
to Christ, so was it under the Old by his relation to the theocracy. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xi remaining books of.htm

The Historical Books.
... Thus, while the outward glory of the Theocracy declined, it ... in the second book of
Maccabees, under the title ... according to Josephus, by the Jews throughout the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The First Kings.
... As usual, under the Theocracy, the choice of God ... Under his father's sceptre, Palestine
was great in martial ... divided and weakened, until the Jews were conquered ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... the Old Testament acknowledge that the Jews received these ... of the establishment of
the kingdom under Saul, we ... documents pertaining to the theocracy was "before ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... of the land by these same Assyrians in whom the Jews had reposed ... true kingdom of
God, once embodied in the old Theocracy, but now existing under the freer ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ...
... 1288] Under his reign ... to some extent, respected the religious scruples of the Jews,
Pilate set ... A Kingdom of God without a King; a Theocracy without the rule of ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi in the fifteenth.htm

The Assumption of Moses
... But for an author, writing the history of the Jews (be it in a ... to expect was merely
the precursor of the restored theocracy, when, under the visible ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

The Epistle to the Hebrews.
... going on, and the doom of the theocracy was still ... Luke wrote in the name and under
the instruction ... eloquent in speech, powerfully confuting the Jews, a friend ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 100 the epistle to.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... testified by Zechariah 14:5, comes under consideration only ... Edom, Ammon, Moab, and
Judah: until at last ... they are crimes against the theocracy, the punishment ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... was simplified, and contained only one, or at most two figures"a hare squatting
under a tortuous ... There is no certainty until after the time of Alyattes ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm