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