The Pulpit Commentary — Judges — Section 8

th{' numl'rous body, "the sons of IsrMl," or elders and tribesmen. More freq_uent deliberation, the consnltntion of competing interests, &c., had to precede any n11t1onal 11.ctio1; nga_inst the common enemy. The g:Mt Lawgiver had passed away, the Soldier-Dictator hAd also been gathered to lus fathers, And now it devolved upon a ~imply appointed but sa?redly authoritative constitV!,iona!, asse?11-bly to carry into effect the purposes of their predecessors. Compare with tins the rise of parliamentary influence in Europe, and especially in England. I. THE MODIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT. Sometimes this is sudden, sometimes gradual_. Here it does _no~ affect the essential principle of the _theocracy. There is ~omethmg very pRthetic m the spectacle of an orphaned nat10n appealing to the " God of their fathers." It was not an extraordinary outburst of reverence and religious humility, but the beginning of a habitual and necessary practice. The voice of Jehovah throug-h his authorised representatives was the supreme law for Israel. 1. It behoves all natwns and individuals to ask God/or wisdom and direc- tion, especwLly at such times of transition. The altered conditions of life; the transfer of legislative authority; the attainment of mature years· a youth's leavin.,. -home : the death of parents, guardians, rulers, &c., are reason; for a closer walk with God, and a more attentive heed to his word. 2. Responsibility is inevitably transferred with autlwrity. A sacred war is the legacy of the fathers of Israel to the children. If they are disposed to lag in its carrying forward, untoward events prick them on, and discomfort and disorder increase the necessity for action. " Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." The peasant envies the king, the child the parent, only to be in tum regarded with a greater envy by those they assume to be fortunate and happy. Authority tempers and chastens power. The assumption of the latter without regard to its obligations is a profane and wicked thing, and must in the end defeat itself. Responsibility is the moral and religious side of authority; duty of right. In no case has a ruler or government lightly to regard inherited responsibilities. Freedom'is not the result of violent changes, but "broadens slowly down from precedent to precedent.'' That one has had no part or•choice in the making of an agreement or the inauguration of a policy is no reason by itself for repudiation. What is wrong must be put right, and false steps retraced; but the practicable policy of the present is generally a modification of the former and traditional one, rather than entire departure from it. The oneness of responsibility in past and present ought to be carefully observed, and acknowledged even where changes are introduced. None of us makes his own circumstances. Most of them are inherited. Our duties are often born before ourselves, awaiting us in the nppointed time. 3. The advantages and di-sadvantages of a plurality of rule7'S are here illustrated. (1) Where there are several or many in powerthere is a representa• twn of popular views and interests, (2) the advantage of collective and deliberative wisdom, and (3) mutual stimulus and emulatwn. On the other hand, (1) they are liable to Jealousies and envies, (2) it is difficult to preserve a good understanding, (3) they are more subject to popular panics, and (4) are unlikely to take a bold initiative. II. UNCHANGEABLENESS OF THE SUPREME AUTHORITY. Under all circumstances the ideal government for Israel must ever be the theocracy. Moses, Joshua, the elders, the judges, the kings-these are but the human representatives o! the abso~ute and Divine; they are but the stewards of a heavenly mystery, holdmg authority from the Supreme, and liable at his bidding to restore it again. Paul (Rom. xiii. 1-5) summarises the general aspects of this principle:-" Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no powe~ but of God: the powers that ~e are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore res1steth the power, res1steth the ord1~ance of.God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation . . . _For he 1s the minister of God to tbee for good.... Wherefore ye must needs be subJect, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake." 1. This must be recognised by human delegates. The elders immediately and publicly "asked Jehovah." The force of the original expression is that no time was lost. Only as he led them could they be preserved from error. 2. To make men sµbject to the Supreme must ever be the goal of their efforts. Tneir whole policy will be, therefore, in a wid~ sense evan- gelical, viz., to bring men to God, to deepen their reverence for truth, righteousness, olf. 1. 1-7.J TTIR BOOK OF JUDGES. 5