One of those insights

So, I've been reading through 1 Samuel.
This is because Martin's been doing some teaching therefrom in our occasional Men's Meetings. (I can't decide if "Men's Meetings" sounds testosterone-laden or just a little bit too touchy-feely). Anyway...
Reading about Samuel, and about how upset he was (and God was) that Israel wanted a king rather than a judge, it hit me that the judge, not the king is the biblical model for leadership.

A King

• Is king because his father was king
• Is king for life (unless physically deposed)
• Has authority because of his throne (ie. his own authority)
• Is answerable to the people
• Is lord over the people first
• Is a servant of God second
• Passes his throne to his genetic son

A Judge

• Is chosen specifically by God
• May be chosen for a specific purpose / mission
• Does not have a throne as such
• Has authority because of his appointment by God (not his own)
• Is a servant of God first
• Is ruler over the people second
• Does not pass his position on to his sons (can do, but not necessarily)

A King, then is permanently above his people, whereas a judge is lent authority not his own by God. A king is over the people, but a judge goes before the people.

... just some thoughts for next time you're looking at how leaders in the church should behave.

;-)
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