Biblical Leadership Development by Stuart W. Boyer

Author:Stuart W. Boyer
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030000783
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Law was a normal segment of life for people within the Ancient Near East (ANE), “in late third century Mesopotamia, as we discover from the Sumerian law code from the reign of Ur-Nammu of Ur (c. 2112-2095 B. C.); we find similar law codes associated with Lipt-Ishtar of Isin (c. 1934-1924 B.C.),” as well as in Babylon and other nations (Provan, Long, & Longman III, 2003, p. 134). In fact , the laws given are seen as divinely originated and provided, and lack of obedience relates directly toward disobedience to God or the gods (Durham, 1998). “The requirements and instructions Moses ’ chosen helpers are to promulgate are thus no more ‘secular’ and no less divinely drawn and monitored than are those Moses himself promulgates” (Durham, 1998, p. 251). The law encompassed apodictic, casuistic, criminal, family, moral, natural, and social aspects (Drane, 2001). Given this, the law remained a central portion of cognitive moral, and social order for Israel.

In the last portion of the Pentateuch Moses exhorted Israel that disobedience to the law causes the affliction of curses (Duet. 27:9–26; 28:15–68), while obedience toward the law provides blessings (Deut. 28:1–14). Nevertheless, Israel remained obedient only through the life of Joshua, Moses’ assistant and the elders who outlived Joshua, and then Israel disobeyed the law (Joshua 2:11). After this, God allows some of the curses to fall upon Israel. Yet God provided deliverance through judges time and time again, after Israel cried out to God (Judges 2:16, 18). Then God sent Samuel the seer or prophet and other prophets as well as kings for Israel (and Judah), some good, most evil. During the reign of the kings the Northern tribes of Israel separated from the Southern tribe Judah (1 Kings 12:16–20). Due to further disobedience the Northern tribes of Israel were taken captive and led off by Assyria in 722 B.C. (2 Kings 17:6). In 587 B.C. Judah experienced exile to Babylon (2 Kings 25). After years of captivity God brought Judah back to the Promised Land and Ezra and the Levites read the law to the people and gave the sense so the people could understand (Nehemiah 8:7–8). Nevertheless, the nation fell once again into disobedience, and a reformation effort happen through the Pharisees. The Pharisees:Were probably the successors of the Assideans (i.e., the “pious”), a party that originated in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes in revolt against his heathenizing policy. The first mention of them is in a description by Josephus of the three sects or schools into which the Jews were divided (B.C. 145). The other two sects were the Essenes and the Sadducees. In the time of our Lord they were the popular party (John 7:48). They were extremely accurate and minute in all matters appertaining to the law of Moses (Matt. 9:14; 23:15; Luke 11:39; 18:12). (Easton, 1893, para 1)

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