1 Samuel 8
Discredited (vv.1-8)
Imagine a mother who singlehandedly raised her three sons, taking on two jobs to make ends meet, letting go of her personal wants, even sacrificed their family times, just so they could finish college. All three soon had their own families, sent her to one of those homes for the aged, and barely visited her. How about a man who was once Mr. Indispensable, thirty years in the company, bringing in more sales than his peers combined together, and just when he’s next in line for vice presidency, politics had its way in, found some discrepancy in his staff’s dealings, and so he was bypassed in favor of the owner’s close relative. That’s the heartbreak Samuel felt when the Israelites asked for a king to lead them in his stead. They reasoned that his sons were faulty which I think is their own decision despite Samuel’s teaching, otherwise God should have scolded him as He did to Eli. What was painful is that Samuel was forced to retire. These are the people who benefited from his leadership, asked for his wise counsel, and pleaded him to present their requests to God. We can all take frontal attacks from our foes, but it is unbearable to be backstabbed by friends.
Now imagine how insulting it is to be left by your husband for another woman who is twice your age? Or as an honor student be defeated in the student council because they voted instead for that popular hunk? Why would young girls exchange their purity for money, or young politicians their honor for a higher position? That’s how God felt when Israel demanded for monarchy over theocracy. Imagine choosing bondage over freedom, paying taxes instead of keeping your own harvest, your daughters as servants when they could live as princesses in your homes? Why would they want a human king when they have the Almighty God to rule them? How foolish! But guess what? How many times have we exchanged God’s glory for worthless things too? Let’s skip the big things like idolatry, adultery, sorcery etc. How many times have we decided to sleep longer on Sunday mornings instead of going to church? Or why can’t we spare a little amount from our more than enough salaries to help a friend in need? Why do we withhold defending someone for fear of association? Should we lie and exaggerate to be accepted? Will we drink and curse to blend in? When we choose worthless things over God, we become worthless ourselves!
Application:
In the midst of Samuel’s discouragement because of Israel’s ungratefulness, He remained faithful to His God and continued to do his work, praying on their behalf. When people stopped believing in us, started criticizing our work and discrediting all our past efforts, it’s unbearable to report for duty right? We’ll resign immediately for sure. You dare turned your back from me, I’ll not die a martyr serving you, undeserving people! The gentler one among us of course will say this under his breath. And yet Samuel never blurted even one angry word. He prayed and it was God Himself who encouraged him. I have recently been treated unfairly and it really broke my heart. The enemy was giving me a list of why I should be acknowledged instead, but God was faithful to remind me to choose what is true and noble, right and pure. To think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. It was a decision to take captive my every thought, and make it obedient to Christ. Within the week, God allowed us to reconcile the issue and he confessed he was just so discouraged and felt discredited for all his efforts. Come again? We were on the same boat after all! And if we both gave in to pride, higher walls could have been built and not bridges. We don't fight discouragement with disdain, for we will both lose. We don't even have to defend our line. God will.
Dissuasion (vv.9-18)
God in His infinite wisdom knew Israel will have this request for a king. He already provided set guidelines even before they formulated the concept. There is really nothing in this world we can claim as our original idea. Even designers like my husband would admit that the best they could come up with is but a shadow of the wonders of nature. Shapes and patterns, lightings and colors, textures and materials, all are His provisions for us to build something beautiful. Truth is, only God can create a masterpiece out of nothing! The image of a king is no exception. It is God-originated. What ‘like the other nations have’ is an imitation of His rule over Israel. How could they miss that! Even idolatry is man’s cheap version of worship. That’s why in Deuteronomy 17:14ff, God included in a king’s job description to write for himself a copy of the laws, read it all the days of his life and follow carefully all its words, turning not to left or the right. For how can we implement a project unless the Idea Man itemize to us how he intends it to be done? Ask first-timer moms what ‘groping in the dark’ means and they’ll tell you if it wasn’t for the support of been-there, experienced moms, they wouldn’t know that babies cry for different reasons. God gave Moses the exact measurements for the tabernacle, step by step instructions for offerings, specific jewels and fixtures, otherwise how would he know how to make a house for the King of Israel? Now through Samuel, God warns His people what it would take for them to set up a king. Since they’re trying to imitate heaven’s royalty, it has to be grand. A king should have the best of everything his kingdom has to offer for he is the face of the nation. He needs a lot of servants and soldiers to display his strength and power. He has to demand portions from everyone for who will finance his lavish lifestyle. God wanted them to realize that a human king will suck up their resources for himself. God never asked our gifts and services because He had none. As King, He doesn’t represent us, but we represent Him. That’s why we are called to excellence and character; As King, He never asked the Israelites to fight for Him, instead He always wins the battle for them; As King, yes, we are His servants, subject to His rule, but He also has called us friends and co-heirs with Christ; And when He asked us for our tithes, it isn’t because He can’t finance His own church, when actually all that we have came from his gracious hand. It is never giving up, but giving back! Given this comparative analysis, God should have won His case. He has all the advantage of being the sole King of our lives. But just like the Israelites, in our foolishness, we exchanged true worship for worthless things. Consider again. We always have a choice.
Application:
Think about it, we represent the King of kings to the nations. The Church is called the Bride of Christ. But how come most of us don’t look as a ‘lovely’ as a bride should? Why do our churches now have that reputation of lacking this, wanting that, asking help, needing support? Shouldn’t blessings flow from our side because we’re connected to the Source? Noting that we are also called to suffering, but it’s far different from appearing hopeless right? Our pastors now are no different from the Levites of the Old Testament who because of the unfaithful giving of the people were deprived of their allotted supply, pushing them to envy or greed. How easy it is for us to point a finger to God’s called servants when they fell into sin and be disqualified from office when actually we have never extended a hand to ease their burdens? How convenient it is for us to criticize the choir singing out of pitch, or the Sunday School teacher faltering in her speech, or the church building smelling so old, when the professionals and the well-to-do among us never offer to God our expertise and resource? And do you know why not many are attracted to Christ anymore? Because some of us who claimed to be His faithful followers are mediocres in the workplace, repeaters in school, and our family’s dysfunctional too. It’s high time to prove them wrong. Our King is the best ruler for every soul. I will do more, give more, be more - for Christ and His kingdom!
Demand (vv.19-22)
My sister and I stand on opposite poles of stubbornness. I’m the ‘you can’t make me do it if I seriously don’t want to’, she’s the ‘you can’t stop me if I really want to’. I’m the close minded, she’s the brat. My wants I can give you, but my wonts, no one can break into. No amount of persuasion or pressure, even from my parents and husband, can force me to do something against my will. Facing a flying cockroach, for example, haha! My sister, on the other hand, will do everything within her powers to get what she wants. You’ll be surprised how she can manage to buy good stuffs even with an impossible budget. More interesting is how she can overhaul my parents’ rule to conform to her own. Knowing my father, it’s a jaw drop! The Israelites here appear to fall on my sister’s side of stubbornness. They want a king, period. Although they got my genes too for they were unyielding and did refuse to listen to anything or anyone :< Ever saw a toddler throw a tantrum to his parents for a toy? It’s annoying! If my kids would do that, the more I will not give in. So why did God said to Samuel, “Listen to them and give them what they want”? I don’t think God was a spoiler here. But I think I’ll understand as a parent how we sometimes allow our kids to hurt a bit, hoping they’d soon learn the lesson for themselves. Ten years ago, people were advising against my chosen partner. They gave warnings and deep in my heart I know they were right. If listening means acting upon their counsel, I have to say I did not listen. I continued the relationship and God seems to allow it. And then the heartbreak. I pleaded with much tears. But this time He said, “That is enough! Do not speak anymore about this matter.” So I gathered myself up and closed the case. Looking back, I saw myself as the stubborn child who suffered much, not because God did not stop things from happening, but because I took it upon myself. He never left me though. His hand was there waiting at the cliffside. A Father who would never allow His children make that downfall.
Application:
I speak more than I listen. Anybody there brave enough to raise their hands with me? When I’m taking the wheels, I have control. Giving up that seat is opening doors to unsolicited advice, another belief system, or additional emotional baggage. It requires time, politeness, and it can be draining. But I don’t think listening is what we hate here. It is responding to what we heard that shakes us to the core. It’s the resistance to change or care. When we don’t listen, it’s actually because we do not want to relate further or be hurt deeper. But in doing so, we miss the point of listening which is learning much and loving better. When God’s asked Samuel to “listen to them”, I think it’s the most difficult of all. Imagine having a forum with non-listeners? It takes unconditional love. Our world now is hurting. Everyone is carrying a burden and wanting to be heard. If only we would all take turns and be willing to sometimes be on that listening end, then we won’t have to fight our battles alone. Second shift is coming next, care to sign In with me?
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