1 Samuel 8:1-22


We all have a tendency to want to “belong” or be like those who are around us.  In this case the nation of Israel wants to be like the other nations and have a King instead of a Judge that had been appointed and established by God.  This was a direct rejection of what God had established as His form of leadership for the nation of Israel, but He permitted it as it apparently was part of His plan for the future, the problem was that the people were asking for a king before the Lord desired to establish a king in Israel.  It is a dangerous thing to run ahead of God.  However, there are several factors that contributed to this failure on their part.

UNFAITHFULNESS OF THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP: A big part of the problem was the nation’s dissatisfaction with the new leadership that Samuel tried to establish in his sons.  Samuel had not raised them properly and they did not have the same character that he had demonstrated.  They took advantage of their position and accepted bribes.  They were not as perverse as Eli’s sons, but they were not following in the steps of their father and they did not have the same fear of the Lord.  Weak leadership is a very dangerous thing and has grave consequences.  Samuel was a man of God but apparently failed as a father and then did not recognize his failing and tried to put his sons in a place of leadership for which they were spiritually unqualified.  Leaders must recognize that their first responsibility is to be faithful to lead in their own home and not become so involved in ministry that they fail to disciple their own children.

UNWILLINGNESS TO LISTEN TO GOD’S WARNINGS: God was displeased with Israel’s request because He wanted to be King in Israel.  The Lord told Samuel as much and had Samuel warn the people of how the king would be and the price that they would have to pay not only financially, but sacrificing members of their own households to the whims of a human king.  No matter how much Samuel warned the people, they still insisted on having a king.  It is sad when God warns us so faithfully but we refuse to listen and continue to follow our own way.  Things will go much better in our lives if we listen to the Lord and heed His warnings.  He is always right and desires what is best for us.  There are dreadful consequences to ignoring the warnings of the Lord.

UNRIGHTEOUS DESIRE TO BE LIKE OTHER NATIONS: The biggest problem here is in the heart of the nation of Israel that simply wants to be like the other nations.  They must have thought that this would give them the respect that they needed to be recognized as a nation.  But God does not want for His people to be like the rest of the world.  He wants us to be different.  He calls us to a life of godliness and separation so that we can walk with Him, serve Him and obey Him along every step of the path on which He is leading us.  That path rarely is similar to that of the world which surrounds us.  We may feel more comfortable “fitting in” with the world, but God does not call us to a life of comfort, He calls us to a life of holiness.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more