easier. :|
In regard to the kings: Yes, even kings were supposed to follow their rules. That eventually led to the English Magna Carta.
And by the very appointment of kings through God's will, their very opinions became instant law. Only later medieval times (liek the Magna Carta, or the Golden bull of 1536 in the Holy roman Empire of German Nation limited this absolute power of God's grace.
The higher authority would be God himself. There is no higher authority (of course, getting it accepted nowadays(!), is a bit difficult).
And even a cloud, that guides the way for at least a few years, is a bit odd, and not a natural observation, as the folklore of the time would probably know. Especially if a prophet claims it to be a sign of God.
And what about the other points I raised, where God made himself known to his followers?
And in regard to the promised land: The promised land does not necessarily have to be populated, either. This is more a propaganda move to justify the war against the Canaanites, than anything else, since God could've guided them to other, less populated areas of the world, and still kept to the schedule of 40 years, too. |
