Moral Responsibility and the State

Synopsis     1Sam 12:7-13     9/8/2018

After confirming Saul’s kingship in front of all the people, Samuel gave a farewell address. He reminded the people of their history with God. He reminded them that God had always been faithful to lead the Israelites and to protect them.

Samuel conveyed to the assembly the importance of their faithfulness to God. He explained to them that most of their troubles weren’t because of the power of their neighboring nations. But instead, their own unfaithfulness had created their troubles.

Finally, he told them that, although they had been given the king they demanded, that no king could protect them from unfaithfulness.

The Protection of the Kingship

The Israelites wanted a king because they felt they would be better protected from the tyranny of neighboring nations. They wanted to end the oppression imposed on Israel from foreign military power.

But as Samuel explained, God had functioned as the king of the people from the time of Moses. God had been their protection. And they only ever became vulnerable when they did what was wrong. So, God made clear through Samuel that even a king would be of no benefit if the people were unfaithful.

Moral Responsibility and the State

I can’t transfer my moral responsibility to the state.

The thing about the natural moral law is that the state cannot insulate me from the responsibility to do the right thing. And so, persistently doing the wrong thing, especially in the midst of a community of people who persistently do the wrong things, only aggregates and compounds the wrong.

Participation in the Authentic Community means keeping my eyes wide open. So, I will examine myself daily.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, of course, you fail the test.” 2Cor 13:5

Shrug Off the Doubt of Others

Synopsis     1Sam 11:12-12:6     9/7/2018

Saul led the army of Israel to a great victory over the Ammonites. With this victory, there was a groundswell of support for Saul’s kingship. So, Samuel led the people to Gilgal to “renew” the kingship there. The coronation turned into a spontaneous feast complete with communion sacrifices to the Lord.

Having installed the new king, Samuel announced his retirement from public life. In doing so, he challenged the entire assembly to identify any misdeed he had made during his ministry so that he could make restitution. Of course, no one could identify any misdeeds.

Saul was Only Accepted as King After He had Delivered Victory

Although he gained a few followers after being named king, many Israelites doubted Saul was the right choice. They doubted he could do what they expected a king to do for them.

In the face of this negative scrutiny, Saul wilted. He returned to his father’s farm and worked in the fields. Then, Nahash the Ammonite brought his army to conquer Jabesh. Clearly, this was a deliberate provocation. And more importantly, it was a calculated test designed to see what Israel’s new king would do if provoked.

Saul met this challenge. And because of this, he became widely accepted as Israel’s new king.

Shrug Off the Doubt of Others

God has called you. And I don’t mean He called you to merely be saved. There is something needful on this planet that only you can do. There is a needed contribution that only you can make. And God made you so uniquely that only you could fully make this contribution.

So, maybe it’s not going that well right now. Maybe you doubt God’s purpose for your life. Maybe you don’t perceive much evidence of God’s plan in your life. And maybe no one is encouraging you.

A lack of evidence is discouraging. It causes you and others to doubt your calling. It causes hesitation. And, it tempts you to quit. But don’t quit. God has called you. So, let nothing keep you from serving God in the way that only you can do. The people around you will eventually catch up.

“Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” 1Tim 4:12

Without the Spirit of God You Can Do Nothing

Synopsis     1Sam 11:4-11     9/6/2018

Samuel named Saul king. And then, he sent all of the Israelites back to their homes. And Saul also returned to his home and his occupation. He was working in his father’s fields.

About a month later, the Israelites who lived in Jabesh were attacked and besieged by an Ammonite army intent on humiliating Israel. The people of the town sent messengers to Saul asking for help.

The spirit of God came over Saul. So, he forcefully gathered an army of Israelite warriors. And then he attacked the Ammonites. He advanced his army without detection. And at dawn, he slammed into the Ammonite forces for a complete victory.

The Spirit of God Came Upon Saul

Saul approached the kingship timidly. Perhaps he was a naturally reluctant personality or perhaps he felt completely out of his league. Whatever the case, early in his reign he did not embrace any of the trappings of his position.

Yet, when Saul heard a report about Israelites of Jabesh being threatened and abused, the Spirit of God came upon him. And God enthused him with the spirit. His natural leadership emerged. And Saul led the people to a great victory.

Without the Spirit of God You Can Do Nothing Good

It’s the grace of God’s presence dwelling in me, that makes possible any good work.

Any other way of thinking about the good I might do leaves me in charge. It leads to a contradiction because “good” only comes from God.

So, seek the Holy Spirit. Pray that the gifts of the Holy Spirit might come to you. And when the impulse of the Spirit comes, be ready and determined to respond.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

A World Full of Sauls

Synopsis     1Sam 10:21-11:2     9/4/2018

Samuel used the process of casting lots to determine who among the Israelites would be king. As the lots were cast, Samuel revealed that the new king would come from the tribe of Benjamin. And then he revealed the king would be from the clan of Maltri. Finally, Samuel revealed that Saul was God’s choice as king.

After the revealing, Samuel sent all the people back to their homes. So, Saul also returned to his home in Gibeah.

Many were excited and rejoiced in God at Saul’s coronation. But others were dubious that Saul would be a good king.

And so, about a month after this, the Ammonites besieged the Israelite city of Jabesh. Nahash led the Ammonite army. The Israelites would have given any reasonable thing to end the siege. But, Nahash imposed unacceptable terms for peace. For this reason, the men of Jabesh began to look for a savior.

Saul Hiding in the Baggage Train

Saul was hiding in the baggage. This wasn’t some mistake – like he just happened to be in the baggage area during the convocation. No, he was hiding. He didn’t want to deal with God’s vision for his life. And, he didn’t want the responsibility of being king.

So, God Himself had to reveal that Saul was actively hiding amongst the bags. And only after being found out did he consent to join the community.

Saul’s general attitude of reluctance had turned into denial. Clearly he didn’t want the responsibility of kingship. And, he didn’t even want the glory of the throne. Perhaps in other circumstances his humility would be laudable. But the truth was that he actively hid himself to avoid acknowledging his calling.

A World Full of Sauls

God created everything with purpose. This means that he’s given all the necessary gifts and talents. So, God commissioned each of us with a plan for the most extraordinary and powerful life.

Yet, I hide in my baggage. In other words, I hide in my business. And, I hide in my myriad diversions. And I never look full on towards God for fear He might speak a word. That’s right, I fear that He might give a command that I do not want to hear.

Oh God – set me free from the fear that prevents me from entering into the possibility of my life.

“and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.” Heb 2:15

Chosen with Gifts and Talents

Synopsis     1Sam 10:10-20     9/3/2018

Samuel sent Saul away with his blessing. He had told him a prophecy of what would happen to him the rest of the day. So Saul began his return trip. And, everything that Samuel had said would happen came true.

Upon his return, Saul was questioned about the delay in his search for the donkeys, and why it had taken so long to return. So Saul explained about the unfruitul search. He also mentioned visiting Samuel for assistance.

Saul’s uncle pointedly asked him what Samuel had said. But Saul did not disclose anything about Samuel’s prophecy or anointing.

Several days later, Samuel called all of Israel together once again. The Israelites assembled before the Lord and Mizpah. And Samuel began the process of choosing the promised first king of Israel.

God Chose Saul 

Samuel cast the “lots”. And, God chose Benjamin. In other words, someone from Benjamin would be named king. This would be the cause of wonder for many in Israel. For not that many years before, the tribe of Benjamin had gone to war against the rest of Israel. Benjamin’s losses were almost genocidal. Reportedly, Israel had killed all the Benjamite women and only a few hundred of the men had survived.

So, for the assembled crowd, Benjamin was a strange and unlikely choice. The tribes that typically vied for leadership were Judah, Ephraim and Manasseh. But for Saul, something else was happening. He suspected how this selection would go at the time that Saul called for the convocation. But, something kept him from sharing with anyone else his anointing as king and all that had happened to him.

God Choses With Gifts and Talents

God creates with purpose. Everything that exists, exists with a purpose. We, you and I, are special examples of this.

You are created with a purpose. God gave you a unique set of gifts and talents. And God placed you in a particular place and time. And now, God expects you to do something.

You can pretend that none of this is true. You can pretend that your gifts and talents and circumstances aren’t unique to you. But be careful your attitude. It is a deliberate decision and the ensuing attitude that determines true success in life.

Every subsequent decision for the rest of your life will flow out of  this foundational understanding.

“your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.” Matt 6:10

The Power of the Prophetic

Synopsis     1Sam 10:2-9     9/1/2018

Samuel anointed Saul with oil and declared him king over all of Israel. He then prophesied to Saul concerning what would happen in the coming days.

Samuel told Saul to expect encountering men with news about his father’s lost donkeys. Also, a group of worshippers would give Saul bread. And, once he arrived at Gibeah-elohim, Saul would encounter a group of prophets. And, not only would Saul encounter this group of men, Samuel told him that he would enter into a prophetic ecstasy.

Finally, Samuel gave Saul specific instructions to meet him at Gilgal in seven days. Then, as he turned to leave, God changed Saul’s heart.

Saul’s Fragile Faith

Saul was uninitiated into the ways of God. He was filled with youthful skepticism. To Saul, Samuel’s behavior and prophecies seemed like the mutterings of a mad man.

Still, his social training taught enough to defer to Samuel. But he did not believe the words Samuel was saying. He could not believe the words he was saying.

Samuel knew that Saul didn’t understand. He knew that he couldn’t understand. And so God provided evidence to bolster Saul’s capacity to believe. The evidence came in the form of a very specific prophecy followed by a command that required Saul to act. He was to meet Samuel at Gilgal in seven days.

The Power of the Prophetic

We live in a world of constant change. One of the challenges of constant change is knowledge. Claiming to know something when everything is a constant swirl of change is, at best, a risky business.

This is the reason that prediction is the gold standard of knowledge. In our ever changing world, anyone who can predict anything with certainty has real power.

So, you and I were born. And, you and I will die. And if there’s any purpose for anything in our universe, we will be called to judgement. This is either a deep, prophetic truth. Or, it is utter nonsense.

And each of us must decide.

“Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment,t 28so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him” Heb 9:27

Christian Didn’t Know Why He Was Saved

Synopsis     1Sam 9:21-10:1     8/30/2018

Saul came to town to ask Samuel where to find his missing donkeys. But to Saul’s surprise, Samuel invited him to a feast.

Saul felt confused. He was not from an elite family. And he came from a tribe that had nearly been wiped out in a civil war. He felt sure that Samuel had mistaken him for someone else.

But it was no mistake. So, Saul went to the feast. And though there were thirty other guests, Samuel served him the choicest portion. After the feast, Samuel provided lodging for Saul. And so, Saul spent the night.

The next morning, Samuel woke Saul and sent him away. As they exited the city gate together, Samuel took oil and anointed Saul. This act made Saul the first king over all of Israel.

Saul Didn’t Know He Was King

That’s ironic. Saul didn’t realize he had been singled out to be king. He had no clue. And he didn’t perceive himself as a candidate to become king. He was just minding his own business. He was looking for his donkeys. And suddenly all of this just fell on him.

Christian Didn’t Know Why He Was Saved

How about you? Do you realize all that God has in mind for you?

But as it is written: “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,” 1Cor 2:9

Divine Appointments and What You Thought You Were Doing

Synopsis     1Sam 9:12-20     8/30/2018

Saul and his servant decided to visit Samuel. They wanted help finding a herd of missing donkeys. As it happened, Samuel was in the city that day preparing for a feast.

What Saul did not realize was that Samuel was waiting for him. God had told Samuel the day before that a man from Benjamin would come to him. This man, God had disclosed, would save Israel from the Philistines.

When Saul finally found the prophet, Samuel surprised him by inviting him to the feast.

It Wasn’t About the Donkeys

Saul thought he understood what he was doing. He was out looking for his father’s donkeys. Only, that’s not really what he was doing. What he was really doing is moving toward a divinely orchestrated appointment with Samuel.

Divine Appointments and What You Thought You Were Doing

I like to think that I’m in control. I like to think that I set my own agenda. And generally speaking, I execute my daily routine with focus and determination.

But I’m not some godless technocrat. I acknowledge God. I say my prayers. And I’m usually pretty consistent about expressing gratitude.

And yet, I still walk among the unseen –  usually with no clue what God’s working to accomplish. Just as the apostle says, “God works all things together for good…” But I’m not a prophet like Samuel. I never see God’s purpose in events until way after the work He intended is complete. Most often, I rarely even see it then.

This is why Givenness matters so much. When I’m flowing in this attitude, I find myself actively looking for what God is doing. I find myself looking for God’s purpose in every encounter. And I commit myself to love whoever is in the mix, wherever I find them. Because the truth is, no matter how “in control” I feel, God is orchestrating my circumstances. And so, what matters least is what I thought I was doing. And what matters most is what God is working to accomplish through my encounters.

When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” Luke 19:5

The Danger of the Perfunctory

Synopsis     1Sam 9:4-11     8/29/2018

Saul was the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. Kish had a herd of donkeys that broke loose. So, Kish sent Saul with a servant to search for them.

The two men searched in the tribal lands of Benjamin and Ephraim without success. Low on food, Saul started to return to Gibeah. But, because they were near to Samuel’s home, his servant suggested going to Samuel to see if the prophet could assist in their search.

Although Saul had no money to offer the prophet, the servant offered his own “quarter shekel of silver”. So the two agreed to use this money as a gift for the prophet and inquire concerning the donkeys.

Saul Was Not “All In” Kind of Guy

Saul was introduced as the son of a great man – a man with property. Kish was a successful man. And in the ancient world, a herd of donkeys was no small treasure.

So Saul was out looking for his father’s lost treasure. He obeyed. He complied. But he didn’t bring any money with him. He took only what was provided to him by his father. Even his servant carried more cash than he did.

Saul was not all in. He was ready to quit the search when he had completed what could be reasonably expected of him. In fact, his servant showed more initiative than Saul did by suggesting they visit Samuel and offering to pay for it himself.

The Danger of the Perfunctory

Doing the minimum conveys a lack of passionate commitment.

I live my life without passion when I don’t feel the intuitive desire to achieve but I do feel compelled by some sense of moral obligation to keep going.

“Be fully committed.”

I can say that without difficulty. But what if I’m not feeling motivated? And, if motivation is a felt response to value, then what can I say? I don’t value the given. So, if I can, I’ll slack. If I can’t, then I’ll do the minimum required.

But there is a way out of the perfunctory – out of the habit of doing the minimum. The trick is in learning to value what the other person values. Saul could have passionately searched for the donkeys because he valued whatever his father valued – out of love for his father. I can look deeper and see the purpose of the people and things around me and agree with God to deliver value to others by the way I respond.

It’s a measure of love. So, do it for the other.

“When you offer a blind animal for sacrifice, is there no wrong in that? When you offer a lame or sick animal, is there no wrong in that? Present it to your governor! Will he be pleased with you—or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 1:8

The Competition Between Knowledge and Perceived Value

Synopsis     1Sam 8:13-9:3     8/27/2018

The people had asked Samuel to name a king to rule over them. Accordingly, Samuel consulted God concerning the request. So, God told Samuel to warn the people of the consequences of naming a king.

Samuel enumerated the many costs. He pointed out that a permanent leader meant an expensive administration and an even more expensive standing army. A king would tax them and require service from their children. But, Samuel could not dissuade the people. And so, God directed Samuel to name a king for the people.

The scene shifted to the tribe of Benjamin. Kish the Benjamite, was a powerful man. And, he had a son named Saul. Saul, it was mentioned, was much taller than any of his peers, and he was exceptionally handsome.

Wanting What is Wanted When It Is Wanted

This wasn’t an argument. This wasn’t even a debate. The people were certain of what they wanted. So, they did not attempt to reason with Samuel. Or even refute what he was saying. They wanted what they wanted when they wanted it.

The Competition Between Knowledge and Perceived Value

I experience value. It is visceral. In other words, I feel value. And I almost automatically respond to the value feelings that I have. This is how we’re made. And, because this is how we find ourselves, it takes an extraordinary intervention of my “self” to stop the chain of natural value response.

This is why it can be so hard to argue with someone once they are determined to do something – even if what they intend is counterproductive.

This is also why I sometimes ignore what I “know” to be the right answer in favor of what I hope will bring an experience of value. Within the range of my freedom, I choose.  The physical satisfaction of pleasure competes with what is reasonable and rationally known.

There, I said it. I have chosen pleasure over what is truly good. And, this is too often how my habits are formed.

It’s a little sobering. O Lord, there is clearly still much work that needs to be done.

“What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate.” Rom 7:15