1-Samuel 8
DON'T TRY TO FIT IN
Samuel was the last judge of Israel, after him, the time of kingship began.
As Samuel was getting old he appointed his sons to be judges after him, "Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice" (verse 3)
Side Note: Possession just like today are powerful, in a sense that we direct our hearts towards them and turn away from the Lord. (Idolatry)
The elders of Israel looking at the way Samuel's sons are acting demanded for a king, "Behold, you[Samuel] are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations" (verse 4-5)
Samuel wasn't pleased with that, maybe because he would like his sons to be better, and also maybe because they were trying to get rid of him as a judge, who follows God, but mostly he was upset because people were rejecting God as their king.
With this hurt on his heart he came to Lord in prayer, "And the Lord said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have rejected me from being king over them... you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them" (verse 7-9)
God knew these people-- they have abandoned Him so many times and this was yet another time, they wanted to be just like any other nation with a king, a king that they will able to see and have as a leader.
Side Note: Just like back then people today do not want to follow God because they have to constantly work on themselves, they have to be different.
Samuel did what God told him to do, he was warning the people of what the consequences of having a king can bring. A lot is listed, the main points are that 1)people will be slaves to the king and 2) all the best will be given to the king.
"But people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, "No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." (verse 19)
And God told Samuel to do what people have asked.
Today...
This is a simple short part of the history, and it is once more a time when the people of God are choosing to once again leave their Lord behind.
They want to be like other nations. Today we want to blend it, fit in, be a part of something... But Bible clearly states that Jesus sent us like sheep in the field of wolves to preach, to be the light to this world.
If you find yourself questioning why in the world am I here, following God, and now I find out I will never fit it, when I tried so hard to for so many years? That should be between you and God, pray to Him like Samuel did when his heart was troubled. Another thing that could brighten you up is that although you will never fit in into this world, you will always have Jesus and people who are also travelers on their earth and have the same goals you have.
It should caution you if you DO fit in into this world.
Fit in-- having the same desires, same attitude, etc.
Samuel was the last judge of Israel, after him, the time of kingship began.
As Samuel was getting old he appointed his sons to be judges after him, "Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice" (verse 3)
Side Note: Possession just like today are powerful, in a sense that we direct our hearts towards them and turn away from the Lord. (Idolatry)
The elders of Israel looking at the way Samuel's sons are acting demanded for a king, "Behold, you[Samuel] are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations" (verse 4-5)
Samuel wasn't pleased with that, maybe because he would like his sons to be better, and also maybe because they were trying to get rid of him as a judge, who follows God, but mostly he was upset because people were rejecting God as their king.
With this hurt on his heart he came to Lord in prayer, "And the Lord said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have rejected me from being king over them... you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them" (verse 7-9)
God knew these people-- they have abandoned Him so many times and this was yet another time, they wanted to be just like any other nation with a king, a king that they will able to see and have as a leader.
Side Note: Just like back then people today do not want to follow God because they have to constantly work on themselves, they have to be different.
Samuel did what God told him to do, he was warning the people of what the consequences of having a king can bring. A lot is listed, the main points are that 1)people will be slaves to the king and 2) all the best will be given to the king.
"But people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, "No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." (verse 19)
And God told Samuel to do what people have asked.
Today...
This is a simple short part of the history, and it is once more a time when the people of God are choosing to once again leave their Lord behind.
They want to be like other nations. Today we want to blend it, fit in, be a part of something... But Bible clearly states that Jesus sent us like sheep in the field of wolves to preach, to be the light to this world.
If you find yourself questioning why in the world am I here, following God, and now I find out I will never fit it, when I tried so hard to for so many years? That should be between you and God, pray to Him like Samuel did when his heart was troubled. Another thing that could brighten you up is that although you will never fit in into this world, you will always have Jesus and people who are also travelers on their earth and have the same goals you have.
It should caution you if you DO fit in into this world.
Fit in-- having the same desires, same attitude, etc.
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