How long will the people of Israel stray away from God and not turn to Him for their needs? How often do I stray from God’s desire for my life? This journey that the Israelites have taken mirrors my journey as a christian because I have moments when I am fully focused on God where I have gleaned great truths from Scripture, there are other moments when the flesh within me is raging, seeking to make me succumb to wickedness, and there are moments where I feel lost wondering when I will be delivered.
In 1 Samuel 11 and 12 another piece is added to the grand picture of God’s work for and through the Israelites. The city of Jabesh-gilead was besieged by Nahash the Ammonite. How did the men of the city react to this danger? These men initially attempted to make a deal to serve the Ammonites but when that failed they turned to people of Israel asking if there was someone to deliver them. How often is coming to God with concerns and worries the last thing we do? We often want to expend all of our ability, resources, connections, and strength before we admit to God that we need help. God knows that we need help long before we acknowledge it to Him just as Saul was being built up before he delivered the people of Jabesh-gilead.
The news of the besieged Jabesh-gilead spread throughout Israel. When word came to Saul in Gibeah of what was happening the Spirit of God came mightily upon him and he cut up the yoke of oxen he was tending and sent the pieces throughout Israel saying “Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” 1 Samuel 11:7b This action by Saul unified the people of Israel so that they went together to deliver Jabesh-gilead. After the battle question of Saul’s ability to lead the nation of Israel was answered in a great way because he rallied the people to deliver the city. When Samuel wanted to have all those who questioned Saul’s ability as king put to death Saul said that no man would die because the Lord had accomplished this deliverance for Israel.
It was in direct defiance to God’s rule over Israel when they called for a king to rule over them. Samuel reminds the people of Israel that they were acting wickedly before God in 1 Samuel 12. He reminds the Israelites that it was God who delivered them from Egypt and gave the promised land to them. God sent thunder and rain to remind the people who He was, of His power, and their act of disobedience. A choice again is laid before the people of Israel where they can choose to follow and obey God or they can reject Him and do what is right in their own eyes as their fathers had done. “If you will fear the Lord and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the Lord, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God. If you will not listen to the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the command of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers. Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes.” 1 Samuel 12:14-16 Will the people of Israel fulfill the commands in the Law of Moses by loving God and loving people or will they live a depraved life of separation from God. This is exactly the choice before all mankind today. Will you trust and believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to live or will you continue to live your life for yourself. The choice is there but only you can make a decision. Find hope in the words of wisdom that Samuel spoke to the people:
Do not fear. You have committed all this evil yet you do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit of deliver, because they are futile. For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider the great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away.
1 Samuel 13:20-25 NASB
God is faithful to us even in the midst of our fruitless unfaithfulness before Him. I encourage you to make a choice today as to who you will serve. Will you serve yourself or will you give up authority to God by trusting in Jesus Christ as the only way to live? The choice is before you.
