Whose Right?

1 Chronicles 10:13

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance.

When the Declaration of Human Rights was drafted then adopted by the United Nations in 1948, it was in the hope that world wars would never happen again. It’s a vow to protect and promote man’s fundamental freedom, without discrimination. Yes, we have right to life, equality before the law, freedom of expression, the rights to work, social security and education, but alongside these is the obligation to respect it in relation to others. That’s why they called it interdependent. It’s like my kids mutual agreement to follow a schedule so that they’d not end up fighting for it’s-my-turn-this time. But like adults, they transgressed those lines, found ways to outsmart the other, cry louder if necessary - - but never to fight for another’s rights. It’s always to serve their own.

After establishing Israel’s lineage, the chronicler in chapter 10 began to retell specific fragments of their history to guide the remnants in rebuilding their nation. Seventy years in exile was something no one would want to go through again. They had to make it right this time. But before they could draft their hopes, it is necessary to first identify the faultline. Two verses unite for the answer: unfaithfulness. The word used was ma’al, or the sin of transgression. It is a breach of trust, an invasion of rights, a violation of God’s holiness.  It is used of Achan when he kept the forbidden spoils; of Ahaz when he promoted idolatry; and here of Saul, when he consulted a medium instead of God.  In bringing them back to Saul’s timeline, the chronicler’s intention was to orient them of God’s right. Yes, God’s right! As Creator and Lord, their allegiance and praise should all be due Him. It’s written in their Law, with benefits and obligations. The decades they suffered in Babylon were because their kings breached that contract. In pride, they pursued their own rights to beliefs and enjoyment. It may seem interdependent because of majority votes, but it still was independence. Achan, Ahaz and Saul died for that right. And they were so wrong.

We all want to be heard, to express ourselves, to fight for our freedom. We demand it as our rights and will call everyone to rally behind us. We have the transgenders and gays plead for their claim to identity; womanizers and adulterers saying they’re entitled to happiness (and privacy); avengers and rebels calling it their shouts for justice. They may feel it’s right for them, but is it right for all? Is it right at all? Have they considered their parents’ disappointments, their partners’ heartbreaks, the families they left in ruins? And they want equality? We have no perfect, earthly system to serve all claims. But praise God for His Word we have a standard for life and rights. Truth is, life not all about you. It is never about one’s happiness, or safety, or career path, or marriage. Life is about God. It’s His exclusive right. Fight for His honor and glory and He will make sure you’ll experience His goodness and abundance. Fight against His will and holiness, and your transgression will meet His wrath and justice. Your choice. Would you rather be an independent, sin-slave, or a God-dependent, rightful child?