Democracy is an ideal. Yes, it’s become sacred to some, ascending to the level of or overtaking the Bible even in Judeo-Christian societies, and Israel is no different.
Israel’s a special case though. Because in the eyes of the Christian world, and many religious Jewish communities, Israel is seen largely through a prophetic lens. And that causes many to forget that it’s also just another nation trying to manage day-to-day life.
Though even in that regard, the Bible can be instructive regarding the problems plaguing Israel today. The divisions we see in our day are not all that different from the divisions that brought Israel to destruction in millennia past. Israel has always been a very small nation with too many different groups vying for influence and power. During the era of the Tabernacles and the First Temple, you had the 12 tribes. During the Second Temple period, different religious factions like the Essenes, the Zealots, the Sadducees and the Pharisees. And today we have the typically liberal and secular Ashkenazi Jews, the more conservative and religious...
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3 responses to “Why democracy is hard for Israel”
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Thank you, Ryan, for your article. The presence of many worldviews certainly presents a problem. Our enemy, Satan, knows this, and works hard to sustain confusion from an individual level to a national level.
But God has provided His strength–the strength of His Holy Spirit within us as individuals and nations.
God’s provision of help has always depended upon our love and our obedience toward Him, and God has not made it difficult for us.
The entirety of the Bible demonstrates God’s powerful provision for us–from the appearance of God’s Angel to Hagar, who proclaimed, “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13) to the writing of John, “Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10b)
Very good analysis, Ryan.
It reminds me of quote ascribed to Winston Churchill:
“Democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried.”
Amen! I wish this could be printed and pasted on every billboard of Israel. God made Israel to be a “theocracy” and I hope I have that word right. Ruled by YHVH and His Anointed. And I am not talking about being ruled by the Religious leaders of Israel, however good they might be. We long for Israel to have the True and Living God ruling over her. ONLY when YHVH is ruling through His Son, Yehoshua, will Righteousness cover the earth as the waters cover the sea and what a day that will be. We will rejoice!!! But first He will have to deal with His enemies in Israel. Ps 2 speaks of it all.
Israel was never meant to be a democracy!