Hebrew Religion's Influence on
When the Hebrews petitioned God for a king, he felt betrayed, as if they had lost faith in him. The Hebrews sighted that they wanted a king "to judge us like all nations" (29), however the Hebrews were not like other nations. They were unique in having a strictly monotheistic religion as well as having their God rule over the whole land as their only king. Even after God had granted the Hebrews a king, religion was still much entwined in the Hebrew government. All decisions made by the king had were to be strictly in line with the will of God as given by the prophets.After leaving Egypt, the Hebrews became a flock roaming around the Middle East. They lacked any true leader and were lawless, holding no regard for God by making graven images and losing faith. It was not until Moses climbed Mount Sinai and was given a covenant set forth by God, to be enforced by the prophets, the 10 Commandments, did the Hebrew's begin to form a group of ruling prophets. Throughout the beginning of the Hebrew country, Canaan, before there were kings, the Hebrews only form of government was solely religious based.When the Hebrew people first desired a king "to judge us like all the nations" (29), God felt betrayed, as if the Hebrews had "r
God instructed Saul (through Samuel) to "smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass" (35) Saul does not however follow the will of God and spares the king of the Amalekites and much of their livestock. In the Hebrew kingdom of Canaan, the kings were to base their actions on the word of God. The first kings of Canaan were chosen by God through the prophet Samuel and were instructed to "captain over (God's) inheritance" (31). This description of Saul's loss of kingship shows the extent of religion and even more, God's presence in the government of the Hebrew people. The 10 Commandments along with this check of the king by Samuel wove an immense amount of religion into the government of Canaan. The prophets played a large role in Hebrew politics; "often emerging in times of social distress and moral confusion . It becomes apparent that the king of the Hebrews is to represent and carry out the will of God, not the will of man. Clearly Hebrew politics not only reflected their religion, but instead it was entirely based on religion. Saul later realizes that in his listening to his subjects and not his creator he has sinned "for I transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice" (36). Because Samuel was the pseudo mouthpiece of God, the king of Canaan was forced to listen to him, therefore Samuel was able to 'check' the king and verify that his actions represented the will of God. In the event that these kings began to follow the will of the people over the will of God, God would reject him as was the case with Saul, the first king of Canaan.
Common topics in this essay:
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,
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Commandments Hebrew's,
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Acceptance Essays
