At the people's request and God's permission, the prophet Samuel anointed Saul as king over Israel. The ironic thing is people demanded a king yet many rejected the king at his coronation. They weren't satisfied even when their request was granted in full. This lack of contentment and refusal to accept or submit fully to God's authority is a chronic malady in man. There were many people who were loyal to king Saul, gave gifts, and honoured him as the anointed of the LORD, though in the eyes of the majority he was without authority or power. The following passage illustrates this.
1 Samuel 11:1-4 reads, "Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you." 2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, "On this condition I will make a covenant with you, that I may put out all your right eyes, and bring reproach on all Israel." 3 Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, "Hold off for seven days, that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you." 4 So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the hearing of the people. And all the people lifted up their voices and wept." When Nahash the Ammonite came against Jabesh Gilead they offered to serve him--because they were not really serving the king God anointed to rule over them. They took it upon themselves to make deals with potential enemies instead of immediately sending word to their king of their predicament. They did not even believe Saul was able or willing to help them for they said, "We will send messengers to all the territory of Israel and if no one will save us we will come out to you at the expense of our right eyes." Isn't this insane?
What the men of Jabesh Gilead didn't count on came to pass: Saul was incensed when he heard their predicament, gathered hundreds of thousands of men to fight for their deliverance, and destroyed the Ammonites in a day. After the people rejoiced in salvation of the LORD through Saul's leadership, a compelling event took place. 1 Samuel 11:14-15 states, "Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there." 15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they made sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly." Saul was crowned king in the previous chapter but it took the incident at Jabesh Gilead to consolidate the power and authority of the kingdom upon the LORD's anointed. The kingdom was renewed in Gilgal because it was evident the people had not been viewing Saul as their king. Saul was the LORD's anointed, but the people tried to make peace with enemies themselves. The renewal of the kingdom lead to great rejoicing because they accepted God's appointment of Saul united as one man.
This is an illustration of the renewal we need in our personal lives after trusting in Jesus Christ as our King, the anointed One of the Father. Though He is our LORD and Saviour we can be like the men of Jabesh Gilead where we are not regarding Jesus as the rightful King He is. We can try to make peace in vain with enemies Jesus has the power to destroy in a moment, and we wonder if anyone could possibly help us. We suffer reproach not for the sake of faith in Christ but for our lack of reliance upon Him to guide, provide, and protect us. Having delivered us from eternal punishment we deserved due to our sin, we ought to place all our confidence in Jesus our King. When we have been distant from our King let us renew our relationship with Him in the kingdom of God by returning and communing with Him. Distance from God leads to despair, but when we follow Jesus Christ closely we experience rest and peace.
1 Samuel 11:1-4 reads, "Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you." 2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, "On this condition I will make a covenant with you, that I may put out all your right eyes, and bring reproach on all Israel." 3 Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, "Hold off for seven days, that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you." 4 So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the hearing of the people. And all the people lifted up their voices and wept." When Nahash the Ammonite came against Jabesh Gilead they offered to serve him--because they were not really serving the king God anointed to rule over them. They took it upon themselves to make deals with potential enemies instead of immediately sending word to their king of their predicament. They did not even believe Saul was able or willing to help them for they said, "We will send messengers to all the territory of Israel and if no one will save us we will come out to you at the expense of our right eyes." Isn't this insane?
What the men of Jabesh Gilead didn't count on came to pass: Saul was incensed when he heard their predicament, gathered hundreds of thousands of men to fight for their deliverance, and destroyed the Ammonites in a day. After the people rejoiced in salvation of the LORD through Saul's leadership, a compelling event took place. 1 Samuel 11:14-15 states, "Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there." 15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they made sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly." Saul was crowned king in the previous chapter but it took the incident at Jabesh Gilead to consolidate the power and authority of the kingdom upon the LORD's anointed. The kingdom was renewed in Gilgal because it was evident the people had not been viewing Saul as their king. Saul was the LORD's anointed, but the people tried to make peace with enemies themselves. The renewal of the kingdom lead to great rejoicing because they accepted God's appointment of Saul united as one man.
This is an illustration of the renewal we need in our personal lives after trusting in Jesus Christ as our King, the anointed One of the Father. Though He is our LORD and Saviour we can be like the men of Jabesh Gilead where we are not regarding Jesus as the rightful King He is. We can try to make peace in vain with enemies Jesus has the power to destroy in a moment, and we wonder if anyone could possibly help us. We suffer reproach not for the sake of faith in Christ but for our lack of reliance upon Him to guide, provide, and protect us. Having delivered us from eternal punishment we deserved due to our sin, we ought to place all our confidence in Jesus our King. When we have been distant from our King let us renew our relationship with Him in the kingdom of God by returning and communing with Him. Distance from God leads to despair, but when we follow Jesus Christ closely we experience rest and peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment
To uphold the integrity of this site, no comments with links for advertising will be posted. No ads here! :)