Judges 8:22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered from the hand Midian.
After Gideon had overcome the Midianite oppression, the people responded by wanting to make him a king to rule over them. Gideon wisely declined, and said, “The Lord shall rule over you.” Humans recognize their need and often seek out a strong human leader to protect them, guide them, and care for them.
Israel was fearful of God’s direct presence on Sinai, so they asked Moses to mediate the Lord’s words to them, and lead them. After the period of the judges, Israel asked Samuel to give them a king. Samuel refused at first, saying, like Gideon, the Lord is your king. Israel was to be a theocracy. But The Lord relented, and anointed for them a king, which didn’t work so well for the kingdom, as Samuel predicted.
The need for strong leadership is endemic in human history: witness dictators, Communism, chiefs, and strong men. God Himself, and He alone, is our true Shepherd and only King, who provides, protects, guards, directs, guides, and leads us securely and happily home to His Kingdom. This is what He always wanted: to be our God and we His people directly. But into this sin-filled and death-ridden world ruled by the god of this world, the son of God has entered to take back the kingdom, rule our hearts as the loving Shepherd, and become our King and Lord. And so through the Gospel and the power of the Spirit we confess, Jesus is Lord.
Meanwhile, the Lord does send us human spiritual leaders (apostles prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) to bring us the Word and mediate God. But it is clear, we have One Lord and King and Shepherd. And we seek to have Jesus rule over us.