After the death of Joshua and the elders of his generation, the children of Israel forgot the wonders, power and love of the Almighty God. They forsook the Living God and worshipped stone dead gods like the nations around them. They got into the anger book of God and were open to attacks by the enemy. They were sorely oppressed and they cried out. God remembered His promise and love towards Israel and He gave them JUDGES to deliver them out of oppression and to lead them back to righteousness.
Thus began the era of the judges. Season after season the people returned to sin and God remained faithful in giving them judges. Years passed and the mantle of leadership fell on a prophet - Samuel. Samuel had a good reputation with God and the people. He judged the people in righteousness and wisdom. His tenure saw the Philistines subdued and cities restored to the Israelites. And there was peace in his days.
The Demand
Samuel grew old and made his sons judges. Unfortunately the sons of Samuel did not walk in the ways of their father, they took bribes and perverted judgement (1 Samuel 8: 1-3)
The behaviour of the sons of Samuel raises a concern. Why is it that his sons like the sons of Eli who was his predecessor chose to be corrupt? One would have believed that if any child would grow up to be a lover of truth it would be the children of men like Samuel. But that wasn't the case. This calls our attention to a critical matter - child raising. We need to prayerfully raise our children, committing them daily into God's care because the enemy targets children to break the continuity of great works done by the parents. A key thing that will help is also to make out quality time to be spent with our children. One should not pursue ministry or career goals to the detriment of the family.
So the people lost confidence in the sons of Samuel and used it as an opportunity to make a demand for a king. The idea for kingship was not originated by God, it came from the people. The people saw that perhaps they were the only nation that had no king. They asked for a king to be like the people around them. We must note this because Christians are not called to belong but to convert to righteousness. The moment Christians begin to copy the deeds of the world the calling has been lost.
Anyway they asked for a king and Samuel was predictably displeased. Before Samuel could react to their demand he went to pray (1 Samuel 8:6). We see Samuel as a man of prayer here, he could easily have made his stance known but he consulted with God first. How often do we consult with God? In this modern world some have even considered certain things beyond the jurisdiction of prayer. This is wrong, our lives are tied to God and He wants to be fully involved in our daily lives. We should talk to God more not less!
The demand for a king did not settle well with God as well. He called it a rejection. He told Samuel that the people had not rejected him (Samuel) but they had rejected the Almighty God. That is heavy. As Christians we have the liberty to ask God our Father anything but we must be careful to ask for things that are inside His will. Some people have a wrong view of the benevolence of God and go to extremes in their demands at the Lord's feet. We need to be careful what we ask for so that our asking doesn't kill us!
The people asked for the king and officially laid a demand on heaven to end the era of the judges. The LORD gave his consent but not without some warnings.
#KingSaul
#TheDemand
Thus began the era of the judges. Season after season the people returned to sin and God remained faithful in giving them judges. Years passed and the mantle of leadership fell on a prophet - Samuel. Samuel had a good reputation with God and the people. He judged the people in righteousness and wisdom. His tenure saw the Philistines subdued and cities restored to the Israelites. And there was peace in his days.
The Demand
Samuel grew old and made his sons judges. Unfortunately the sons of Samuel did not walk in the ways of their father, they took bribes and perverted judgement (1 Samuel 8: 1-3)
The behaviour of the sons of Samuel raises a concern. Why is it that his sons like the sons of Eli who was his predecessor chose to be corrupt? One would have believed that if any child would grow up to be a lover of truth it would be the children of men like Samuel. But that wasn't the case. This calls our attention to a critical matter - child raising. We need to prayerfully raise our children, committing them daily into God's care because the enemy targets children to break the continuity of great works done by the parents. A key thing that will help is also to make out quality time to be spent with our children. One should not pursue ministry or career goals to the detriment of the family.
So the people lost confidence in the sons of Samuel and used it as an opportunity to make a demand for a king. The idea for kingship was not originated by God, it came from the people. The people saw that perhaps they were the only nation that had no king. They asked for a king to be like the people around them. We must note this because Christians are not called to belong but to convert to righteousness. The moment Christians begin to copy the deeds of the world the calling has been lost.
Anyway they asked for a king and Samuel was predictably displeased. Before Samuel could react to their demand he went to pray (1 Samuel 8:6). We see Samuel as a man of prayer here, he could easily have made his stance known but he consulted with God first. How often do we consult with God? In this modern world some have even considered certain things beyond the jurisdiction of prayer. This is wrong, our lives are tied to God and He wants to be fully involved in our daily lives. We should talk to God more not less!
The demand for a king did not settle well with God as well. He called it a rejection. He told Samuel that the people had not rejected him (Samuel) but they had rejected the Almighty God. That is heavy. As Christians we have the liberty to ask God our Father anything but we must be careful to ask for things that are inside His will. Some people have a wrong view of the benevolence of God and go to extremes in their demands at the Lord's feet. We need to be careful what we ask for so that our asking doesn't kill us!
The people asked for the king and officially laid a demand on heaven to end the era of the judges. The LORD gave his consent but not without some warnings.
#KingSaul
#TheDemand
This is the first time I will view this blog from a PC. The view is better and I see simplicity... More grace.
ReplyDeleteAmen. Thank you sir
ReplyDelete