During this time of year, many of us look forward to doing the readings with extra anticipation realizing that the first portion will take us to the exciting history of the kings. Whether it be David’s heroic confrontation with Goliath, the actions of the mighty men or David’s last words to Solomon, these chapters simply arrest our interest and don’t let go until the last verse has been read. Often we want to carry on with tomorrow’s daily portion as the events in Samuel, Kings and Chronicles captivate our attention.
I Samuel 8
A basic reason we find the section so interesting is that we often see ourselves, our problems and failures, our temptations and sins and our obedience and faith mirrored in the events that have been recorded. In this regard, we see one of our most frequent temptations reflected in the pivotal chapter that begins the period of kings in Israel’s history.
Israel wanted to be like the world!
They were tired of being different! “Make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (I Sam. 8:5).
They were warned; the king will take, not give! He would take their time and their children’s time; the best of their resources would be used in his service — “he will take your fields … even the best of them … and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work” (vs. 14,16).
“Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; that we also may be like all the nations” (vs.19-20). Whatever rationale they might present about Samuel’s sons (v.5) their true desire was to conform to the world.
While we are greatly saddened at their attitude, each one of us can understand it for the desire to be like the world is a temptation that besets us all.
A Continuing Problem
We are obviously not unique in this regard for the subject is frequently set before our brethren of the early ecclesias:
“Be not conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2);
“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:15);
“Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (Jam. 4:4);
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (I John 2:15).
Such exhortations were not given to take up space; they were given because all through the ages God’s chosen people must fight the desire to be “like all the nations.”
Why the Problem
“The world passeth away…but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (I John 2:17). We know that, so why should a frail and passing world have any attraction for us? Israel knew the power of Almighty God; He had demonstrated it beyond dispute in Egypt, at Jericho, over the Midianites and in the strength of Samson. Why should they want a frail man to “judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles” (I Sam 8:20)?
They could see the human king and they could not see God except with the eye of faith. We can see the world around us but we can not see the Kingdom except by faith.
By Faith
Moses could see the treasures of Egypt, but by faith he could see the even greater recompense of God’s reward so he resisted conformity to the world around him. Abraham forsook comforts he could see and feel, for a city that existed only in promise; but his faith was so strong, and he could see the future dwelling place so clearly, that he was prepared to be a stranger and pilgrim for 100 years. Therefore, God was “not ashamed to be called their God” (Heb. 11:25-27, 15-16).
The key to resisting the attractions of the world we can see is wholeheartedly to believe in the promises of God which we see only with the eye of faith.
Let us not stagger at the promise of God through unbelief; let us be fully persuaded that, what He has promised He is able also to perform. Let us not be enticed by the things which are seen, but let us steadfastly work for the things which are not seen; for the things which we can see are temporary; but the things which are not seen are eternal (Rom. 4:20-22; II Cor. 4:18).
We know that the promises of God will surely be fulfilled. Some may say, “Where is his coming?”; but we are of the light. Therefore let us put on the breastplate of faith that our hearts may be protected from the attractions of the world.
In these perilous times, the condition of our faith will make the difference between a life of conformity to the world or a life of separation, a life that will lead us to eternal happiness in God’s kingdom.
May our faith be strengthened anew as we partake of these memorials which remind us so vividly of the certainty of the love and promises of God.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One