As bleak as the title might sound, our God is always in control. It is impossible for Him not to be in control. So why is the subject of ‘Who is in Control” being discussed? Because it is the issue of the universe. In Genesis, Satan approaches Eve (Genesis 3:1 NKJV). “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, “You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?””
There it is! The issue of ‘governmental’ control. Plain and simple, but profoundly deadly. The result of Adam and Eve’s decision to ‘put off’ the ‘governmental’ control of God, willfully disobeying God’s Word, transformed mankind into a humanity that is lost and without hope apart from God’s love and grace. Adam and Eve hid “from the presence of the Lord God among the tress of the garden”. God sought them out and “called out to them”. Jesus said, that He had come to seek and save the lost. That is the heart of the Father. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.” (John3:16)
The story of mankind; God’s dealings with people; the formation of the nation of Israel; the coming of Christ; the Cross; Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension; the institution of the Church; and the return of Christ are the broad panorama of God’s dealings with Adam and Eve’s decision to pursue their own ‘governmental’ control.
What began in the garden and what we have previously considered in the two previous BLOGs, lays a foundation as we enter Israel’s history in the life of Samuel, who was both a judge and a prophet to Israel.
Samuel is approaching the end of his life, I Samuel 8:1 says, “Now it came to pass when Samuel was very old that he made his sons judges over Israel.” One would assume that this was a good thing. However, this was not the way Israel viewed it. Why? I Samuel 8:3 tells us, “But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.” This is definitely not a good resume’ for the leadership of God’s people. It is, however, a foreshadowing of the type of leadership the nation of Israel was going to have in their history.
The elders of the nation approach Samuel and “said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now, make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” (I Samuel 8:5, NKJV) Do you remember the final words of the book of Judges? Judges 22:25 says, “in those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
This mindset was in the heart of the nation. It had manifested itself in the lives of the sons of Samuel. And now, the nation of Israel seeks to set aside the office of ‘judge’ and embrace the office of ‘king’. But what kind of king? One like the nations that co-exist with them.
Let me include here some commentary from my Study Bible. “It is well established in Israel that God intended they they (God’s people) should have a king. Gen. 49:10 specifies that the chosen dynasty would be from the tribe of Judah. Specific guidelines for setting up a king are stated in Deut. 17. The displeasure of God is based on their motives to be like all the nations.” (my insert)
I Samuel 8:6 says, ” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord..” (NKJV)
Throughout the book of Judges, Israel’s history was one of obedience and disobedience toward God. God used judges to exercise His ‘governmental’ control. In the days of Samuel, Israel petitioned Samuel for a king like the nations surrounding them. In spite of Samuel’s displeasure, God said to him, I Samuel 8:7 (NKJV), “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” What does God understand? Israel does not want His ‘governmental’ control.
I Samuel 8:8 is very insightful regarding the people’s heart and their relationship to God as His people.
It says, (NKJV), “According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day–with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods–so they are doing to you also.”
God says, nothing has changed in their heart since that first day I delivered Israel out of Egypt. I Samuel 8 is a very solemn chapter. Three times in the chapter, God says to Samuel, “Heed their voice”. God knows they want their way and He is going to allow them to have their own way. God reveals to Samuel what he is to communicate to the people regarding the behavior of a king ruling over them. Samuel delivers God’s Word to them.
Read I Samuel 8:10-18.
In verse 18, Samuel says to the people (NKJV), “And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves and the Lord will not hear you in that day.”
Verse 19 seems to indicate that there was a tension brewing between Samuel and the people. The people heard God’s message through Samuel. Their reaction was, “Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us,”
(Sounds intense to me), then verse 20,” that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” May I suggest that it appears that the nation of Israel has taken control. And God has permitted it. One may ask, How do you come to that conclusion? My response is that three times God said to Samuel, “Heed their voice”.
The last time that God says that to Samuel comes in verse 22. Let’s conclude our thoughts with I Samuel 8:21, 22. (KNJV).”And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the Lord. So the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed their voice”, and make them a king.” And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man to to his city.”
The scene is set. Now what?
I want to add a personal thought. I am not an advocate of Christian Nationalism. However, as I composed this blog and read the scripture, I could not help but wonder whether or not God has allowed this nation to have ‘leadership’ that is like the nations of this world. Is He permitting this nation to pursue a system of ‘governmental’ control like other nations in this world because we want it? Personally, I do not want it. I am asking the Lord to remove the grave clothes that are being wrapped around this nation and resurrect our republic. May the Lord be merciful to us.
tbc
Living Words of Encouragement 