Good Beginnings - Questionable Endings, Week 10 Day 5, 1 Samuel 8-15

Good Beginnings - Questionable Endings, Week 10 Day 5, 1 Samuel 8-15

It’s good to have a good beginning.  Saul starts so well.  In chapter 9 he’s described as “an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites.”  Accompanied by a servant Saul is searching for his father’s lost donkeys.  Showing good judgment Saul decides to head back when the donkeys can’t be found rather than worry his father.  When they decide to visit the seer Samuel, Saul is concerned that won’t have the proper offing to give to Samuel.  When Samuel tells Saul that he will be king, Saul humbly replies that he is from the least of the clans from the smallest tribe.

Saul, unassuming, concerned with properly recognizing the position of others, concerned with his father’s feelings, is chosen to be king.  And he starts off pretty well.  When first announced as king Saul keeps silent when he’s not brought the proper gifts.  When crowned as king he shows mercy to those that opposed him.

But he starts to go astray.  At Gilgal, rather than waiting for Samuel to come and make the offering Saul takes it upon himself to make the offering.  Saul was not the right person to give the burnt offering. Samuel tell Saul that his “kingdom with not endure” because he did not keep the Lord’s command. 

Saul is sent to attack the Amalekites and completely destroy them, taking nothing and killing everyone.  Yeah, there is definitely a fair amount of violence in the Old Testament.  So Saul attacks the Amalekites but keeps their king, Agag, the best of the sheep, cattle, fat caves and lambs.  Basically they keep the king and all the good plunder.  And God’s response is hard.  God’s message, “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from Me and has not carried out my instructions.”

When Saul reports to Samuel about the attack on the Amlaekites, he claims to have carried out the Lord’s instructions.  Samuel isn’t buying it.  And neither is God.  God’s final pronouncement, “You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel.”

How did Saul go from, “an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites” to “You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel.”?  Well, the first Saul, the young Saul sought to do what was right.  He thought of others before himself.  And he was concerned about what would please God.  The second Saul, the older Saul was concerned with getting done what he wanted to get done and short cuts were not only okay but encouraged.  No priest for the offering, do it yourself.  Not supposed to take anything or leave anyone alive, keep the best and keep the king alive.

And God’s message is clear.  If you’re going to follow God you really need to follow God.  Yes, we are forgiven by faith.  But God still requires obedience.  And it’s not okay to pick and choose what part of God’s Word you want to follow.  God chooses.  We are supposed to obey.  And if we don’t then there will be consequences.

Now some would say that the Old Testament is all about obedience and vengeance, and wrath while the New Testament is all about love, faith and forgiveness.  But God has not changed.  That same God of the Old Testament with His obedience and vengeance and wrath is the same God that welcomed Rahab and Ruth, that sent judges and prophets to lead Israel back to God when they strayed.  And that same New Testament God of love, faith and forgiveness is also said if you deny Me before man, I will deny you before God.

God is consistent.  And the God of the Old Testament that accepted Saul’s faith and obedience also accepts our faith and obedience.  But if we ignore God and what He requires, then it may not go well for us. 

Now I know, some of you are thinking, “but the same God who began a good work in you will be faithful and complete it.”  Yes, God is faithful.  But in this story it’s not God’s faithfulness that is in question.  It’s Saul’s.  

God, You have called each of us.  You call us to make a decision about who we will follow, You or?  What’s clear from Saul’s story is that following you requires obedience.  God, I pray that you will keep me on Your path.  I pray that You and Your Spirit will work in me so that I might understand what You want me to do and how You want me to live.  Lord, I pray that I would be both faithful and obedient.  May my beginning be good.  But may my finish also be strong because I finish with You.  Amen

Leonard