I love family vacations. They are so much fun . . . creating family togetherness . . . building relationships . . . strengthening the bonds of familial love . . . creating memories that will last a life time. BUT . . . sometimes the road trip – especially if you have children – can be . . . well let’s just say challenging at times. We have four children that actually travel really well all things considered, but, if you’ve traveled any length of time as a family you know it’s just a matter of time before it begins.
First they start to squirm and wiggle and pretty soon . . . you hear it: “Stop touching me!” – “I’m not! You’re touching me!” – “You’re on my side! “ – “Nu-uh! This is my side!” – “Mom! He took my toy!” – “I had it first!” – “No you didn’t!” – “Yes I did!” – “Dad! He’s looking out my window! . . .” and on and on it goes until finally . . . Mom and Dad have had enough! The threats begin, right? “Don’t make me stop this car!” – “If you don’t straighten up, I will turn this car around!” Finally . . . after all of this gets sorted out . . . you pull out of the driveway . . . and you’re on your way to make some fun family memories.
In some ways, living life is like driving a car. As you drive, you have to keep your eyes on the road to know where you’re going and what lies ahead . . . you must also keep an eye on the instrument panel to see what’s happening right now (your speed, mileage, any warning lights) . . . but you also have to check your mirrors to see where you’ve been and what’s happening behind you; or in the past. Similar to this, in life you have to look forward to the future; to see and know where you’re heading in life . . . you must also live life in the present or you will miss out on so many important things . . . and we must remember the past – where we’ve been and where others have gone – so we can learn from the past. The philosopher, George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
The Word of God tells us, in reference to the history of the Old Testament . . . particularly the history of Israel . . . that the events which took place are to be an example for us, so that we don’t repeat their folly. The Apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians 10, in reference to Israel’s history, “These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did,” (I Corinthians 10:6; NLT) and it goes on to say, “These things happened to them as an example [to us], and they were written for our instruction.” (I Corinthians 10:11; NASB). So there are great life lessons that can be found by studying the lives of those who lived during the time of the Old Testament.
Today we’ll be looking a few events surrounding the rise and fall of the first king of Israel. His story is found in the book of I Samuel from chapter 8 to the end of the book. Saul lived about 1000 years before the time of Christ. So we’re talking about history that took place just over 3000 years ago. According to the scriptural timeline, (I Samuel 13:1, Acts 13:21), Saul began his reign when he was 30 years old and would reign as King over Israel for the next 40 years as a warrior King who would deliver Israel from her enemies.
THE DEMAND FOR A KING
We pick up the story in I Samuel 8:4-7 as the Elders of the tribes of Israel assemble before the prophet Samuel and demand a king to rule over the people of Israel.
[Read - 1 Samuel 8:4-7]
Up to this point in the history of God’s people, they had lived under a theocracy – a God centered leadership over the people. You’ll remember as Moses brought the people out of slavery, through the wilderness, and ultimately into the land promised by God . . . that it was God who lead them with the cloud of his presence by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 31:21). But now the people are demanding a king to rule over them and lead them and fight for them. Now this, in and of itself, was not necessarily bad thing. In fact, a provision had been made within the Mosaic Law for the guidelines of appointing a king (Deuteronomy 17:15). But there was definitely something significant going on here with regard to the inner motivations of the people. The prophet Samuel saw this demand as evil and it displeased him greatly and God saw it as a rejection of Him. You see, it was not the desire for a king that was the problem, but it was the rejection of God and the desire to be “like all the nations” that was the problem [see 1 Samuel 8:5] I think the phrase “like all the nations” is very significant and I think it gives us insight into the inner motivations of the people. The people wanted to move from a theocracy (a God-centered leadership) to a monarchy (a man-centered leadership). This was a step down – a move away from God and a move toward the ways of the world . . . they wanted to be “like all the nations."
God calls His people to a higher standard, but many times we fall into the trap of wanting to be “like all the nations” – that is, we have this desire to live according to the world’s standards rejecting God as King over our lives and living according to the flesh. How easy it is for us to fall into this scheme of the Evil One. He makes the world look so attractive and we are sometimes so easily drawn away and enticed by the things of this world.
There is a man mentioned in the New Testament writings of the Apostle Paul named Demas. He’s only mentioned three times. Paul describes him in Colossians 4:14 as a “dear friend” and in Philemon verse 24 as a “fellow worker”, but in his writings to Timothy sadly things have changed. In II Timothy 4:9-10 Paul writes to Timothy and says, “Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me . . . .”
1 John 2:15-17 says this: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”
God calls us to a higher standard . . . His standard. We are to forsake the things of this world and live for Him denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and following hard after Him . . . submitting to Him as King of our lives.
THE CHOICE OF A KING
Let’s turn a corner here and move to our second point. We examined Israel’s demand for a king. Now, let’s consider God’s choice of a king. God reveals to the prophet Samuel who it is that will be Israel’s first king.
[Read - 1 Samuel 9:15-17]
Let’s get a bit of context here. We’re introduced to Saul in the beginning of chapter 9. He is the Son of Kish the Benjamite and is described as being a very handsome man and a very tall man . . . he was, from the shoulders up, taller than any of the people.
Now, Saul’s father’s donkeys had gone missing so Saul took one of the servants to go and search for them. According verse 4 of chapter 9, they had traveled some distance and spent quite a bit of time searching for the donkeys and now Saul is afraid that his father is going to start worrying about them instead of the donkeys. So he’s ready to go home. But the servant has one last idea . . . “There’s a prophet, a man of God, in the city” he says. “Let’s at least check with him and see.”
Do you see the beauty of all this? Saul is about to miss this opportunity! He’s ready to go home. But no, “Let’s try one more thing,” says the servant . . . surely we can see the providence of God in all this. This is a divine appointment . . . divinely orchestrated by God Himself. This is not mere coincidence. God is bringing – even leading/directing – Saul to a divine encounter. He will be chosen by God and anointed as King over the people of God.
The prophet Samuel reveals to Saul God’s intentions and, in typical fashion, Saul is reluctant to accept the call. Look at verse 21 . . . “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?” Samuel tells him, “God is calling you”, but Saul says, “You’ve got to be kidding . . . me? Really?! Surely not me! You must have the wrong guy!” In fact, when it’s time for his public coronation, where is he found (check out chapter 10 verse 22) . . . he’s hiding among the baggage. They have to go find him and practically drag him out.
Sound familiar? Think Moses at the burning bush: “Who am I? They won’t listen to me! I don’t even know how to speak good . . . uh . . . I mean . . . well.” Or maybe the call of the prophet Jeremiah: “I’m too young! I don’t know what to say! Nobody’s gonna’ listen to me!” Or maybe Jonah: God says go East to Nineveh and Jonah heads West to Tarshish. Or maybe . . . you: “I can’t do that, Lord. Things are just getting settled in my career. We’re starting realize our dream: nice house, nice cars, kids are doing well in school . . . .” God is calling . . . what will your response be?
Don’t equate reluctance with humility. Most of the time when we refuse to respond to the call of God in our lives it is due not to humility, but to a reluctance; that is, an unwillingness on our part to make ourselves available for the service of God. It is a feigned humility born out of fear, pride, selfish motives . . . or some strange combination.
How often we have missed or dismissed a divinely orchestrated opportunity? God calls us to step up and take a stand for Him; to serve Him in some way and we miss it altogether because we’re so focused/distracted by worldly pursuits. We miss out on the blessings that God so greatly desires to pour into lives because we want things our way instead of His.
It could be as simple as stopping to help someone along the side of the road, or giving someone a ride. We’ve all been there. We feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit: “Stop to see if that person needs any help.”, “That person needs a ride . . . stop and offer.” And yet, we drive past rationalizing and justifying our reluctance . . . quenching the movement of the Spirit in our life. Or it could be a call that is a much bigger deal . . . a life changing transformation for you, your family, and those to whom you are called. God may call you out of a lucrative career to serve Him in ministry – locally or globally as a missionary to some other part of the world.
No matter how simple or how complex the call of God is in your life – and be assured of this: He is calling – the question is: how will you respond?
THE REJECTION OF THE KING
Let’s fast-forward into King Saul’s reign to a couple of events that bring about God’s rejection of the king. These events are recorded for us in I Samuel chapters 13 & 15 both having to do with Saul’s disobedience to the direct command of God. Saul was a warrior king. God specifies that Saul would deliver His people from the oppression of the Philistines. And this is just what is taking place in the 13th Chapter. Saul is ready to wage war with the Philistine army, but he had been told to wait for seven days until the prophet Samuel would come and offer a sacrifice pronouncing the blessing of God over the warriors of Israel.
As he waited, the men of Israel grew more and more fearful and many began to flee in fear. Although he waited until the seventh day . . . he did not wait until Samuel came on that day. Out of his pride and arrogance – after all his was the king – Saul stepped in and offered the sacrifice himself hoping to rally his troops for the ensuing war. Let’s pick up the story in I Samuel chapter 13 . . .
[Read - 1 Samuel 13:10-14]
The second occasion of disobedience in found in chapter 15 . . . again Saul is in direct defiance of the command of God.
[Read - 1 Samuel 15:2-3; 7-13; 17-19]
Saul’s mission was to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Who were these people and why such a devastating judgment from God? A clue is given in verse 2 of chapter 15: “I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt.” Israel had a history with the Amalekites. Deuteronomy 25 gives us some insight. The Amalekites killed all the stragglers – the elderly, sick, women with young children – those who couldn’t keep up as they were brought out of Egypt
(Deuteronomy 25:17-18 NIV) “Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. {18} When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God.”
This godless nation continued through the times of the Judges even until the time of Saul’s reign – some 200 years of death and destruction; of rejecting God and coming against the people of God. The Amalekites, in their persistent refusal to fear God (Deuteronomy 25:18), sowed the seeds of their own destruction. God is patient and slow to anger, "abounding in love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6); he nevertheless "does not leave the guilty unpunished" (v. 7).
In any case, Saul does not fully carryout the command of God. He captures the King of the Amalekites and takes the best of the livestock as spoil . . . all in direct defiance of God’s command. Now of course he gives Samuel what he thinks is a good excuse. The choice livestock were taken in order to sacrifice to the Lord. But, Samuel rebukes Saul and reveals to him that God has rejected him as king because of his consistent disobedience. It is in this rebuke that we find some important application for our lives.
[Read - 1 Samuel 15:22 & 23]
The key lesson for us today is found in verse 22: “ . . . to obey is better than sacrifice.” People come to church for all sorts of religious reasons: some of you are here because your parents made you be here, others because that’s what your family does – it’s your tradition, still others out of some pious obligation thinking that you can win the favor of God by being faithful to some ritual, some of you are here because of a genuine desire to worship God and be drawn close in His presence.
We all, at some time or another, come to worship with improper motives – the wrong attitude . . . for all the wrong reasons. Be assured of this . . . if your life outside of the walls of this building does not reflect the faith you profess inside this building . . . then the “sacrifice” you offer here is worthless in the eyes of God. To obey is better than sacrifice. God is more concerned about relationship than He is your religious ritual. God said it like this in Hosea 6:6 – “I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offering.” Through the prophet Joel, God says, “Return to me with all your heart and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments.” The words of Jesus are piercing what he quotes what God said through the Prophet Isaiah: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. In vain do they worship me.” [Matthew 15:7-10] It’s not that God is unconcerned with the outward expression of our faith. It’s that God desires for our outward expression to be a genuine reflection of our authentic and intimate relationship we have with Him.
So . . . let me sum it all up – there are three key lessons: #1 God sets for us a higher standard – a standard of holiness – of not being conformed to the image of this world, but being transformed into His image. #2 God is calling. Don’t quench the movement of His Spirit in your life. How will you respond? #3 To obey is better than sacrifice. Does the ritual -your outward expression of worship – reflect a genuine relationship with Jesus?
