|
|
[the OCK rih see]-- direct government of the nation of Israel by God Himself or His earthly representatives. Although theocracy is not a biblical word, the concept of God's rule on earth is thoroughly biblical. In a theocracy human rulers interpret and carry out the divine ruler's will. In Israel's early days God ruled through men such as Moses, Aaron, and Joshua. Later, He ruled by using a group called the judges.
<Deuteronomy 17:14-20> allows for an Israelite monarchy under God and in cooperation with other ruling officials. Later, when Israel finally demanded a king, it was their attitude of being "like all the nations" rather than the request itself that God considered a rejection of His kingship <1 Sam. 8:5>. Samuel, the last judge and a great prophet, insisted that having an earthly king did not excuse Israel from obedience to the divine king <1 Sam. 12:1-25>. The human king was not an absolute monarch.
After the return from the Babylonian Captivity (about 539 B. C.), the priest became a more important agent of God's rule. Prophets such as Zechariah and Haggai mention the high priest as a ruler <Zech. 6:9-15>. Apparently some Jews expected the Messiah to exercise priestly as well as kingly functions <Gen. 14:17-18; Ps. 110:4>.
One of the purposes of the New Testament is to show God's kingly rule reestablished in Jesus Christ, the Prophet, Priest, and King appointed by God <Luke 24:19; Heb. 7:17; Rev. 19:16>.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)