ISRAEL DEMANDS A KING. I was reading the book of 1st Samuel this morning, as part of my reading plan, and in the version I read out of (ESV), it titled chapter 8 Israel Demands A King. I typically dont care for or against chapter titles, but todays title seemed fitting; especially the key word demand. In the passage, Samuel has gotten old, and has appointed his children to be judges over Israel, to continue his work for him. However, his sons didnt follow his ways but rather took bribes and were greedy. So, because of this, Israel went to Samuel and demanded that he appoint for them a king. Now at first, I was thinking, rightly so…., I get it…., and could see or relate to why they would want someone fair. And then I read this… But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them. …..and I immediately thought of Romans 1:28 which says… And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. You see, GOD was showing me just how this story in 1st Samuel was a identical picture of our relationship to sin. The king representing sin. The issue was not so much about the kids of Samuel as it was about them wanting to let sin rule their lives, rather than GOD. They thought that they knew what was better for them, more than trusting that GOD had their best interests in mind. Instead of asking for a king, why not pray to GOD for the sons of Samuel to be dealt with? But no, GOD knew them. He saw how they had constantly rejected Him from the day he brought them up out of Egypt. So, just like in Romans 1:28, GOD said fine…. you want your sin so badly? You think you know more about how to lead your life than I do? Here ya go…. You asked for it, so here ya go. BUT… before I give it to you… I want my servant Samuel to tell you all of what is going to happen, just so that you know beforehand what it is you are TRULY going to get from your sin. And, when it comes to pass, youll know that I am GOD, and that I was telling you the truth, because I am truth, and you will see just how much better I wanted it to be for you. (my interpretation of GOD speaking to Israel, and to us) ….so then Samuel went on to tell them all that would happen…. 11 He said, These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. ….And it goes on for six more verses talking about all that the king would do (which I encourage you to read), and then he finished with verse eighteen, 18 And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day. You see, we ask for sin. Heck, we beg for sin, because of many reasons; lack of faith in GOD, momentary happiness, etc. But, if you give sin even a small little foothold, than it will then rule over your life, and take you farther than you EVER wanted to go. It will make you its slave, and what you wanted, will now rule over you and dominate you! I believe GOD was showing me this passage for my own life, but also, as a warning to everyone reading this, because far too long we have told GOD how our lives should work. We think that we know better. But if you will look back to countless times in your life where GOD rescued you, and provided for you, then you will realize that GOD is our Father, Rescuer, Redeemer, Lord, etc. etc. And, if you will remember that, and also do as Proverbs 1 says and fear the Lord, knowing that He is all powerful, and remembering just what sin is, and how it wants to ruin your life, then youll know wisdom. Youll know GODs will for your life, and on how HE wants to better your life! May we live today, in humility, and in praise to GOD our Father. May we also, turn aside and repent of our sins, and seek daily HIS word and will for our life. Amen.
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 17:21:01 +0000
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