Like we all do, Samuel the judge of Israel became old. So he appointed his sons to become the judges over Israel, but that plan did not work out . They were not like Samuel; forthright and God-fearing. So the elders of Israel approached him and told him they wanted a king to judge them just like all the other nations.
Samuel was totally dismayed and displeased with their request. So he went to the Lord to talk about it. “‘Do everything they say to you,’ the Lord told him, ‘for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods and now they are giving you the same treatment. Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.'” 1 Samuel 8:6-9
Now tell me God is not understanding and just? Israel was, as we can be, capricious. Isn’t that just like human nature to think that what we want is better than what God has planned for us? I can’t begin to share how many times I acted as such; thinking that my way was a bit better or was almost as God would want! The battle of my will against that of God. It happens in my view to all of us.
The people of Israel insisted on a king, thinking that perhaps a new way of government would be beneficial. Honestly? It was just an excuse for their attitude of disobedience. Their rejection was of God as leader of their nation, their homes, their hearts. Simply put, they wanted it their way, and God told Samuel to forewarn them.
And, Samuel did. They failed to submit, thus they lost out on thriving beyond their expectations with God as their leader. Deuteronomy 28:1 “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world.” The people of Israel didn’t want this; they wanted to be like other nations.
God was forthright with Israel. He is merciful and will tell us the truth plainly. God is motivated by love not anger and he only wants to help us avoid serious consequences that result from our disobedience and neglect. There are great blessings that come from living for God.
Think about it. It’s not full-fledge obedience to ask God to lead our family, home and personal life if we still look out and live by the world’s standards and its values. There’s a fine line here and we must be conscious daily of where it is so we don’t cross boundaries that get us into serious problems of faith. Our faith in God must be included in all practical aspects of our life.
Israel was called and chosen to be a holy nation, unique and separate from the rest. “You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own.” Leviticus 21:26 God had chosen them as a nation to make a positive influence on the world. But, they chose not to submit to God’s perfect plan and will for them.
And, as such we need to be careful, conscientious and obedient to God’s will for each one of us. We must seek it, and trust the Lord to provide the guidance that we need. He is so willing to provide it to us. When we maintain God’s values in our hearts we will have no problem to have our nay be nay and our yay be yay. When we do not pull away we won’t be pushed away! And, that’s a promise from Almighty God!
ritasalomon 