Seek ye first the kingdom of God...

The kingdom, the kingdom. What's with the kingdom. Ever notice how most fairy tales mention a kingdom? even if the story is about  some member of the royal family it will mention the disposition of the king of the land." He was a generous and beloved king" or He was an evile king." As a child I loved fairy tales and now as a grandmother I fine I still like them.
It seems that in each story the happiness and prosperity of the people was a direct reflection of the king of the land. If he was a hard person who made life hard for his subjects the people were sad and poor. If he was a charitable man, had good communication with the people and encouraged them they would have a sense of pride. The people were happy to say they were of such and such kingdom.

In the natural kings and kingdoms have been very much the same. The people were happy even during times of war or famen because they had confidence that their good king would prevaile.  They trusted him. They knew he was not living a life of eaze as their sons went of to war and their children went hungry. The lands belonged to the king. The Kings word was law. The king employed the doctors, the lawyers and the military. The King kept the people informed  and was responsible to say how educated his subjects were.  Guest that is why the people  of France looked to the young king Louis and his queen marie to give them food duing the French revolution.  Her famous words "let them eat cake" helped her to lose her head.  An ineffective king with a spendthrift wife.  Kings were suppose to be responsible for the people.  Like a father with his children. Care, disaplne provision and protection.   Most of the kings and kingdoms read about in our histroy books were considered greedy tyrants who used economic slavery to control the people. This was common of the kings and lords of the day.  Only concerned with the welfare of them selves and their families and the keeping of their wealth.
Wars. usually fought over land and or the riches found on the land. It doesn't appear that the Roman form of goverment and expantion was ever again used as successfully as the Roman way.
living in 21 centry USA, I've only visited countries under the rule of a king.  Few kings today have the power and authority of the kings of yesteryears.
What I've read in the scriptures tell me that God never intented that  the Hebrews have an eartly king.  He wanted to be their king. He never wanted them to be come a relegion nor did he desire that we would be come a relegion. No. we were alway to be earthly representives of his heavenly kingdom.  All people we to be blessed through Abraham. But the people made themselves the object of the blessing instead of the conduit. Now that is a different  lesson. Relationship VS Religion.

The criteria for king was given in advance because God knew that the people would forget how good they had it and want to have a human king like the surrounding peoples. So they were given a list of criterion to check off when selecting him. They were even told what they could expect  one the king was in place. Taxes, drafted in to the army, your lands taken at the will of the king and your daughters and sons taken for servants. Still they wanted an earthly king to complain to and about.  you can read the check off list in Deuteronomy 17:14-20.
Now all of this is to say that Jesus use parables to speak  to the people. It was not meant to confuse
them, They lived in a kingdom which from a certain view looked like the kingdom that had always been.  Yet, though it looked as if the kingdom was still intact, they had their religion, their celebrations and their occupations, it was yearly more and more Roman.  The Romans could not understand a people with one god. They were unaccustomed to multi-gods and a king. Nor did the people  seem to realize that their god was to be their king. Of course the Romans didn't care about the gods of the Hebrews. They could have as many or as few  as desired but their king was to be Ceaser.

Next we will take a look at the teaching of Jesus.  What did he say and how does it bring light on the kingdom of  heaven.

A warning to teachers

Honor the Lord with your heart. Worship him with out consite, pride or emptiness.
Teach the doctrins of God, his requirements, his instructions.  Forget the empty rituals men have devised.  Reject the traditions of men.  You have made excuses for your behavior, your lack of honorable   behavior toward my people, by hiding behind church work.  You dilute the instructions of God to  strengthen your traditions and positions. Just as the Scribes and Pharisees  of that day so are  you. For with your lips you honor me but, your heart is for from me.

Warning

To teachers of the word.  Honor the Lord with your heart.  Worship him without conceit, pride  or  emptiness.   Teach the doctrines of God,  his requirements, his instructions.  Forget the empty rituals men have devised.  Reject the traditions of men.   You have made excuses for your behavior, your lack of honorable behavior toward my people even in your own homes, by hiding behind "church work".  Just as the  Scribes and pharisees of that day so you are.  Let him who has ears to hear, hear.