07/27/2013
This week we studied 1 Samuel 8-10, Israel Demands a King. Over the past two weeks we have seen that the priestly and judge order is thwarted by the next generation- both Eli's offspring and Samuel's offspring do not hold the same level of authority or even competence as their fathers. And as the people see Samuel aging they begin to question the system of the judges placed by God. The Israelites determine that God has been holding out the blessings of the King from them. So they demand that Samuel find them a king.
“19c We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”
The first things I want to point out about this lesson is that God wanted to give Israel a king. In fact, His plan was for them to have a king. The one true and perfect King. God always has a plan. It is a plan for His glory, and our good. However, we have free choice. Now those two things might seem at odds with each other, but they are not. God's plan to bring Himslef glory will always come to fruition, but sometimes we miss out on the for our good. And that was where the Israelites found themselves in this demand. God had a plan for Israel, and that plan included sending a King. He was going to send the one true king, Jesus. Moreover, His plan was for that King to be Israel's only king. However, the free choice of the people demanded a king prior to that, because after all each of their neighbors had one. So God allowed the free choice of the people. He knew what an earthly king would do, he knew that His people would be led astray and have to be punished, but He also knew that He could highlight the difference between the kings of old and the one true King. So he told Samuel to listen to the people and to warn them of the fallen nature of an earthly king.
9b Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”
10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle[c] and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
While this idea of demanding things from God generally does not really give us good and really the Israelites did not get what they wanted, we can learn something as parents. You see before God gave the Israelites an earthly king he warned about the consequences of their choice. As parents we need to help our children think through their choices. I have a three year old daughter. And many times we make her choices for her. But we value the ability for her to make and learn how to make decisions. So we allow for her to make insignificant choices that are big to her. For example, the other night my wife and I decided we would go out and get some dessert after a not so well cooked by me. So we asked our daughter which place she wanted to go. And we worked hard to explain the choices at both locations. Thankfully, daddy's choice of Ice Cream was chosen. While it is true not much was on the line in this decision, we are trying to start a pattern of helping her and us to think the differences when a choice has to be made. God did the same thing with his people. He showcased the choice and its potential downfalls. But then he decided to allow them to make the mistake. He did not abandon His people, even though this was a rejection of Him.
7b it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.
While I would not say that it is a good proof text for us to start demanding things of God. I would say that it is a great parenting text for us to see how to help our children make decisions and then allow them to make one even if we think it isn't the best option. God knew that this was not the best option for His children, but He still allowed it to happen.
So what happens when we demand things of God? I think sometimes he answers us with a yes, other times a no. But He always listens to us, even when our responses don't show the respect or gratitude that it should.
"In Him"
Charles Scheffe
Associate Pastor : Children's Ministry
Edmond's First Baptist Church
1300 E 33rd St, Edmond OK 73013
direct Line: 405-706-0763
