1 Samuel 16:1-13
Previously, Saul disobeyed God, curtailing his kingdom, but God continued to use him. He, with the help of his son, Jonathan, defeated the Philistines. However, as I mentioned in another post, Saul had an issue with arrogance. He took God's protection and grace for granted and often attributed his success to his personal ability. In case there's any question, that's never a good idea when dealing with the things of God.
Sure, God allowed him to also defeat the Amalekites, but that was only because that's what God wanted done. In fact, he went so far as to give Saul very specific instructions, via Samuel, on how to go about doing it. He was very clear that absolutely everyone and everything was to be destroyed; nothing was to be excluded, not even the babies. I know it seems brutal, but the Amalekites had pretty much brought God's judgment on themselves when they attacked the Israelites on their way out of Egypt. (see Exodus 17:8-16 and Deuteronomy 25:17)
But, what did Saul do? Whatever he very well pleased. He took God's favor, defeated the Amalekites and spared their king, kept some plunder and went on his merry way. He figured, he would keep what pleased him, offer some of it to God as a sacrifice and all would be well. Unfortunately for him, God didn't see it that way. God rejected Saul's arrogance and disobedience and told Samuel to get his boy. Samuel called Saul on his error and listened as he tried to defend his actions. Then he put the smack down.
Samuel went in on Saul, telling him how God had rejected him and his actions and would be handing him his pink slip. He made sure to educate Saul on God's ways regarding obedience - it is better than sacrifice. Do what God says, then you won't need to sacrifice. Sacrifice is for atonement, repentance for sin. If you obey God, there is no sin to repent for. Then Saul had his "aha! moment". But, it was too late. He had sealed his fate and his replacement was in the bullpen.
God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint Saul's replacement, the son of a man named Jesse. God instructed Samuel to go there under the premise of sacrifice in order to get the required audience without kindling Saul's suspicion. He gathered all the elders of Bethlehem and purified Jesse and his family for the ceremony. Then he had Jesse present all seven of his sons, one by one. Of course they were presented in the order of attractiveness and apparent fitness for the position. But God said no.
He warned Samuel not to look at the outward appearance because he was looking at their hearts. So Samuel asked Jesse if those were all of his sons, and he admitted to having another, the youngest, who was tending sheep. He sent for him and immediately, God said, "that's the one". So Samuel stepped forward and anointed David in the audience of his brothers and all who were gathered there. He was overcome with the Holy Spirit from then on. Samuel returned to Ramah, having completed his assignment.
And that, folks, is the danger of disobedience. God is a loving, patient and merciful God, but even he has his limits. When he gives us assignments, he has a reason. He knows what needs to be done and he knows he wants us to make it happen. On occasion, he will even go so far as to tell us exactly how to do it. When we disobey, it's a slap in the face; it's frustrating, and sometimes, it causes him to move on to the next. Don't let your assignment get taken away because of stubbornness, fear, arrogance or anything else. Because, just as Saul shows us, everyone is replaceable.
Help us to be obedient, Lord; doing just what you say. We know it won't always be easy or comfortable or fun, but you will never put more on us than we can bear. Help us to always honor you in our actions and attitudes, not letting our own desires get in the way of doing your will. Give us humility, God, so that you get the glory from all of our success. We know it comes from you and you alone. Thank you, Lord, for your favor. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Previously, Saul disobeyed God, curtailing his kingdom, but God continued to use him. He, with the help of his son, Jonathan, defeated the Philistines. However, as I mentioned in another post, Saul had an issue with arrogance. He took God's protection and grace for granted and often attributed his success to his personal ability. In case there's any question, that's never a good idea when dealing with the things of God.
Sure, God allowed him to also defeat the Amalekites, but that was only because that's what God wanted done. In fact, he went so far as to give Saul very specific instructions, via Samuel, on how to go about doing it. He was very clear that absolutely everyone and everything was to be destroyed; nothing was to be excluded, not even the babies. I know it seems brutal, but the Amalekites had pretty much brought God's judgment on themselves when they attacked the Israelites on their way out of Egypt. (see Exodus 17:8-16 and Deuteronomy 25:17)
But, what did Saul do? Whatever he very well pleased. He took God's favor, defeated the Amalekites and spared their king, kept some plunder and went on his merry way. He figured, he would keep what pleased him, offer some of it to God as a sacrifice and all would be well. Unfortunately for him, God didn't see it that way. God rejected Saul's arrogance and disobedience and told Samuel to get his boy. Samuel called Saul on his error and listened as he tried to defend his actions. Then he put the smack down.
Samuel went in on Saul, telling him how God had rejected him and his actions and would be handing him his pink slip. He made sure to educate Saul on God's ways regarding obedience - it is better than sacrifice. Do what God says, then you won't need to sacrifice. Sacrifice is for atonement, repentance for sin. If you obey God, there is no sin to repent for. Then Saul had his "aha! moment". But, it was too late. He had sealed his fate and his replacement was in the bullpen.
God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint Saul's replacement, the son of a man named Jesse. God instructed Samuel to go there under the premise of sacrifice in order to get the required audience without kindling Saul's suspicion. He gathered all the elders of Bethlehem and purified Jesse and his family for the ceremony. Then he had Jesse present all seven of his sons, one by one. Of course they were presented in the order of attractiveness and apparent fitness for the position. But God said no.
He warned Samuel not to look at the outward appearance because he was looking at their hearts. So Samuel asked Jesse if those were all of his sons, and he admitted to having another, the youngest, who was tending sheep. He sent for him and immediately, God said, "that's the one". So Samuel stepped forward and anointed David in the audience of his brothers and all who were gathered there. He was overcome with the Holy Spirit from then on. Samuel returned to Ramah, having completed his assignment.
And that, folks, is the danger of disobedience. God is a loving, patient and merciful God, but even he has his limits. When he gives us assignments, he has a reason. He knows what needs to be done and he knows he wants us to make it happen. On occasion, he will even go so far as to tell us exactly how to do it. When we disobey, it's a slap in the face; it's frustrating, and sometimes, it causes him to move on to the next. Don't let your assignment get taken away because of stubbornness, fear, arrogance or anything else. Because, just as Saul shows us, everyone is replaceable.
Help us to be obedient, Lord; doing just what you say. We know it won't always be easy or comfortable or fun, but you will never put more on us than we can bear. Help us to always honor you in our actions and attitudes, not letting our own desires get in the way of doing your will. Give us humility, God, so that you get the glory from all of our success. We know it comes from you and you alone. Thank you, Lord, for your favor. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for reading! Your comments and feedback are welcomed and appreciated.