The voice of the people or the voice of God? Contrary to popular enlightened American thinking, vox populi is not the voice of Theos. Believe it or not, it was never intended to be. Society was to be governed by God, not by man. Of course, man will forever be an instrument in the purposes of God in redeeming His people and bringing about peace, righteousness, and judgment upon the nations.
It was the rebellion of the children of Israel and their disobedience to God’s Covenant faithfulness that led them to seek for a finite human to rule over them rather than an infinite God to guide them. Israel’s failure is not similar but identical to the church’s failure today. It is important to notice that God’s intention in the Older and New Covenant is that not only His people, but all– both Jew and Gentile– follow his rule and authority. The right of rulership is already established. The King of Kings has assumed His righteous throne. He is seated at the right hand of the Father and the Father has promised to give unto him an inheritance – the nations (Psalm 2). His kingdom comes because of His own merit, not by popular vote. In the words of St.Paul: “He shall reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet (I Cor. 15:25).”
