Tuesday, January 12, 2010

I Samuel Chapters 10-12

10:6 - Saul is told that he will be turned into another man by the Spirit of God. This is really important for us to understand, because God is not just giving in to the people of Israel on the whole king issue. They have rejected Him in order to get a king "like everybody else has (read that in a whiny voice)," but God doesn't give them a king like the Canaanites or Egyptians. Those cultures believed that their rulers were divine or semi-divine, send from heaven to save their people and rule. God makes it clear that he is choosing the Israelite king and making the man into His ruler. God is still in control. The Israelite king only has any authority, because God gave it to him. Church leaders should always keep this in mind too.

10:16 - We see throughout this narrative that Saul is reluctant to accept the calling that God has placed upon him. He has an opportunity to tell his uncle that God has anointed him the ruler of Israel, but hides that and talks about some donkeys. This attitude doesn't really bode well fro his future kingship. I think if he had been willing to accept his calling and be God's ruler/God's man...he could have been the godly king of Israel and patriarch in the line of Jesus...but he rejected his opportunity (that will be evident in a few chapters).

10:19 - Every time he gets a chance, Samuel reminds the people how stupid it is to reject God for a human being...and every time they ignore him and push forward with what they want to do. Ever been there? How did it turn out for you?

10:22 - Again, after all God has done to show Saul that He is with him...Saul is off hiding in the luggage when he should be honored to be chosen as God's king.

10:27 - Saul doesn't deal with the doubters here. We can look at this in two ways. On one hand, Saul shows great mercy by not attacking the men who are rejecting the king God has chosen. On the other hand, he may have been negatively affected by their doubts, because we will see that later in his life, he becomes obsessed with the public's opinion of him. In many ways, his obsession with how people view him leads to his downfall. Sometimes you have to deal with tough situations, because it has to be done.

11:5 - Still uncomfortable in his new leadership role, Saul is doing what he has always done...working in the fields and not leading. Do you ever ignore what God has called you to do, by slipping back into the routine of what you always do?

11:6 - Here we see what Saul can do when he opens himself to God's leading. The Spirit moves in him and he mobilizes the nation to protect their Israelite brothers and sisters.

11:13 - Saul has every right to kill the men who have doubted him...in fact, that is what the rest of the country expects him to do. But again, Saul surprises us and displays a great deal of godly leadership. He shows grace. He treats his detractors the same way that God has treated the men and women of Israel - shows them mercy...gives them another chance.

12:6ff - What a sad retirement speech for the prophet and judge Samuel. He is giving over his leadership of Isreal to Saul as the king, but he also runs down the history of rebellion lived out by the people. That is their legacy. They consistently turn away from God and He consistently shows them mercy. As one final warning, Samuel reminds them of their history and tells them to follow God if they hope to change their legacy.

12:21 - Such a powerful and fitting verse for any era. Don't waste your life chasing after empty things that mean nothing...offer nothing and leave you empty.

12:22 - This is a great definition of the awesome grace of God. God offers grace, not because of anything the people did or because they were going to pay God back...He offered grace for the sake of His own name. Grace is a free gift that can never be repaid...grace is about God being God and doing what only God can do. What we need to do is accept it...and let it change us.

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