In today's reading: Israel asks for a king, one of the least of the least clans in the least tribe of Israel gets anointed as king, and God's forgiveness saves the day (and boy, did I need to hear that tonight).
I read the story of Saul tonight. He was the least in his family (though he was head and shoulders taller than anyone else). His family was the least in his tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin was the last (and therefore least) tribe of Israel. He was the lowest of the low citizen of Israel.
The people of Israel had been wanting a king instead of having God as the head of state and a priesthood to serve God. I do not know exactly why. It would make explaining their political structure easier to surrounding nations and would make things a little easier to understand for some. I think they were fed up with not being able to see God. They wanted something tangible, albeit far less wonderful and perfect as God.
God seemed displeased with this turn of events, but at the same time, seemed to want to respect their free will as a nation. So, he set into motion events that would lead to the appointing of Saul. Saul's family lost some goats. He and a couple other people go looking for them. They get hungry and go to find the man of God in the nearest town. People point out the way. Meanwhile Samuel was going to the highest place, a makeshift temple to God, to prepare an offering to God on the people's behalf. As God planned, their paths crossed, and God told Samuel that Saul was to be Israel's king. So, he invited him for a meal and anointed him.
I love the idea of an anointing. They poured olive oil over Saul to signify God's blessing on him. I remember when I was young and very sick; my church pastor prayed over me and anointed my forehead with oil. It was a such a beautiful symbol of God's presence around me.
God makes Saul the King. I love the next passage:
"As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day" (1 Sam. 10:9). I so desperately want to say that of my heart. I want God to change my heart. It was then that God really started moving through Saul, and I crave that for my own life too.
Soon after, Samuel prepares himself to die, as he is old. His last speech to Israel recounts the ways in which God had delivered Israel time and time again despite Israel's lack of faith, sort of how God has forgiven me again and again despite my constant shortcomings. The point of his speech, to me it seems, is to highlight how the LORD has been in complete control of Israel, protecting her despite her unfaithfulness. He points to God's incredible power and providence. Samuel wants to make a point to Israel to show them just how powerful God is. So, he calls on God to send thunder and rain, even though it was the beginning of a dry spell when dry desert wind comes over Canaan (I checked here). God sends thunder and rain. The people stood in awe (1 Sam. 12:18). The people were afraid of God, fearing that they would be wiped out because of their sin.
The next verse brought me so much comfort. "Do not be afraid," Samuel replied, "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart... For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own" (1 Sam. 12:20, 22). Thank God for his forgiveness, without which there would be no hope, no redemption.
Well, that was all that spoke to me tonight.
1557 pages to go!
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