Whom should I obey? Part # 1

 Part # 1 

Whom should I obey?

An understanding of kingdom from scripture:




1.  Theocracy:


(Theocracy. GOD-POWER or GOD-RULE Sometimes also called theonomous (GOD-LAW)


  1. The initial Kingdom:  God is king—Adam and Eve are the governors, the prime-ministers.


Genesis 1:27-28 (NKJV) 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”


Idea behind the command:


(i)    Fill the earth with people
(ii)   Subdue the Earth 
(iii)  Have dominion over the earth


It is seen as an expansion of the garden of Eden.  Subdue the earth. The program?  Make the entire world a garden of Eden.  This kingdom fails because the governors rebelled and tried to overthrow the King.  Quite unsuccessfully I might add. 



  1. The story then develops with the establishment of a Theocracy.  God as King.


God required

  • A people:  this group was known as the Hebrew people, now known as the Jewish people.
  • A land.  This was the ‘promised land’ and became known as the land of Israel.
  • A king.  Well, this was God himself.


The people rejected God as king and wanted a physical human king.   God in mercy allowed this and gave them a king with this promise: 

Psalms 89:3-4 (NKJV) “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: ‘Your seed I will establish forever,  And build up your throne to all generations.’ ”


Deuteronomy 5:28-33 (NLT) 28 “The Lord heard the request you made to me. And he said, ‘I have heard what the people said to you, and they are right. 29 Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever. 30 Go and tell them, “Return to your tents.” 31 But you stand here with me so I can give you all my commands, decrees, and regulations. You must teach them to the people so they can obey them in the land I am giving them as their possession.’” 32 So Moses told the people, “You must be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following his instructions in every detail. 33 Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.



This kingdom had the potential to exist—apparently for ever!  If however, (as was the case) the subjects did not hold up their end of the bargain (do as they are told!)—then the theocratic reign of God was over and done with (at least temporarily and some believe even materially).


Very key is this promise from Deuteronomy 8:  They are set up for a perfect theocracy with an eternal promise of peace, blessing and comfort.


The Old Testament is the story of the rise and fall of this theocracy.  The story of the interactions between the King and subjects who were all over the map as far as obedience and surrender was concerned.


Most of the things you misunderstand about the Old Testament have to do with a theocracy.  All that was required was unconditional perfect obedience.

The Old Testament had as an intrinsic part—a pure system of pure justice.


  • If you get your tooth knocked out by an angry neighbour—simply remove your neighbours tooth!
  • If you get caught stealing something—pay it back plus seven-fold.  
  • If you get caught committing adultery—death penalty.
  • If your son is bad and won’t behave—after repeated advice—take him to the edge of town, tell the elders and they will stone him to death. 


While that may seem bizarre in our world the Old Testament was not our world.  There was right and there was wrong.  Nothing in-between.  And —do as you are told.


Now before we go on,  one more thing:  Do things God’s way.  And, God as  your theocratic king will bless you beyond your wildest dreams.  You will be loaded!  You will be rich, happy, and healthy.  Your life will be basically—perfect!


  1. Because of disobedience the theocracy came crashing down with the following results:


The king —God—would:


(i)    Disown and divorce his people

(ii)   Expel them from the land

(iii)  But would also promise to re-establish a different kind of kingdom





Next time….

2. The promise of a new king and a new kingdom 



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