I wonder if Saul was surprised by the turn of events. He was called out and chosen from the whole assembly but now because he did not obey he the commandments of the "God of Samuel" he forfeits his position and anointing.
First, I would say, yes, Saul was surprised by this turn of events. And I think you highlighted the reason - "the LORD *your* God". ...I think Saul fell prey to one of the classic blunders: Just because you're one of 'His people' ...that doesn't make him 'your God'. And as we've seen time and again throughout history, position and title does not equal being born again. From heads of state and religion on down to deacons, Sunday school teachers, and even pastors - familiarity with God and his ways is not the same as relationship with him. In the end - and according to Jesus himself - it's not *what* you know, but *who* you know that makes the difference. More to the point: does he acknowledge/recognize/endorse our relationship with him?...
The Biblical concept of faith is basically twofold: We trust in the Most High, and we are faithful to live according to his instructions. If we don't follow his instructions, it's really because we don't think we have to, which means we don't really take Him at his word, don't really trust him - he's not *actually* the Sovereign of our life. ...now of course there is room for mistake, for failure, etc. Let's be real, here: the very next king, the "man after God's own heart"...he blew it big time, several times, so obviously there's a way to sin and survive in the family of God...
...but probably a key difference between Saul and David that we are shown was that David pursued God, trusted Him, and (usually and generally) followed his instructions. And Saul did not seem to show a trust in Him, and obviously didn't follow his instructions, either...
...I think we can learn from both of these kings, and hopefully follow the good they did and avoid the bad. We can also see from the lives of both men that God is serious about his people - both the big names and the other guys - following his instructions, and those who regard His instructions lightly do it at their own peril. - jeffrey
I wonder if Saul was surprised by the turn of events. He was called out and chosen from the whole assembly but now because he did not obey he the commandments of the "God of Samuel" he forfeits his position and anointing.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I would say, yes, Saul was surprised by this turn of events. And I think you highlighted the reason - "the LORD *your* God".
ReplyDelete...I think Saul fell prey to one of the classic blunders: Just because you're one of 'His people' ...that doesn't make him 'your God'. And as we've seen time and again throughout history, position and title does not equal being born again. From heads of state and religion on down to deacons, Sunday school teachers, and even pastors - familiarity with God and his ways is not the same as relationship with him. In the end - and according to Jesus himself - it's not *what* you know, but *who* you know that makes the difference. More to the point: does he acknowledge/recognize/endorse our relationship with him?...
The Biblical concept of faith is basically twofold: We trust in the Most High, and we are faithful to live according to his instructions. If we don't follow his instructions, it's really because we don't think we have to, which means we don't really take Him at his word, don't really trust him - he's not *actually* the Sovereign of our life.
Delete...now of course there is room for mistake, for failure, etc. Let's be real, here: the very next king, the "man after God's own heart"...he blew it big time, several times, so obviously there's a way to sin and survive in the family of God...
...but probably a key difference between Saul and David that we are shown was that David pursued God, trusted Him, and (usually and generally) followed his instructions. And Saul did not seem to show a trust in Him, and obviously didn't follow his instructions, either...
Delete...I think we can learn from both of these kings, and hopefully follow the good they did and avoid the bad. We can also see from the lives of both men that God is serious about his people - both the big names and the other guys - following his instructions, and those who regard His instructions lightly do it at their own peril.
Delete- jeffrey