Let The Law Be The Law

Synopsis     1Sam 14:35-43     9/20/2018

The Israelites defeated the Philistines in the battle of Michmash. Saul built an altar to the Lord. And then, he expressed his desire to pursue the Philistines throughout the night. The high-priest recommended asking God.

So Saul inquired. But God did not answer. Saul interpreted this to mean there was a breach in the relationship. He understood that this was caused because of some sin.

As a result, he arranged the men of his army opposite himself and Jonathan. Through a series of questionings, God revealed that the problem resided with Jonathan. Saul questioned Jonathan. And Jonathan revealed that he had unwittingly eaten some honey in the course of the battle. At the time he ate, he did not know that Saul had made an oath against anyone eating before the battle was finished.

Saul Adding a Law

Saul’s goal was to keep his men focused on the battle. He wanted to prevent them from being distracted by anything, including even their need for food. So he invented a law.

Let the Law Be the Law

It’s one thing for me to make a mistake. But, it’s another thing to make a mistake into a moral failure.

A mistake means that I’ve inadvertently failed to convert some possibility into an actual accomplishment. When I see a situation wrongly, it’s likely I’ll take the wrong action. That’s what it means to fail.

For example, “let’s keep everyone focused on the battle” translates into not allowing anyone to eat so they aren’t distracted. Of course, that’s just dumb. It’s poor thinking. But the truth is; this is common. I often misunderstand my circumstances. And when this happens, I usually fail to enter into the success I might have known. But it’s still not a moral failure.

However, it’s different when I misunderstand my circumstances and then make some moral declaration about how I should act. We are, after all, creative human beings.

So think about the creative power of a human being. With my lips, I have the power to create a moral obligation. For example, I can say, “I promise to pay….” and I am really, morally, bound to pay.

Now combine my power to create moral obligations with a situation that I don’t understand very well. A lot can go wrong.

For example, I make an oath against eating during battle. Now my error in judgement takes on a moral implication. If I eat then it is suddenly a sin against God.

So, have structure. You need structure to live well. But don’t worship your structure. Resist the temptation to create your own system of unsupportable laws. In the end, it’s a poor imitation of God’s mandate to love.

In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I am commanding you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it” Deut 4:2