Saul and David

“Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.” The prophet Samuel to King Saul after his failure to carry out God’s orders in the destruction of the Amalekites and their king Agag. 1 Samuel 15

“Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” The LORD to the prophet Samuel before he anointed David king over Israel. 1 Samuel 16

King Saul was handsome. King Saul was tall and popular. King Saul thought for himself, and wanted to do things for god, as he thought best in his own mind. King David was smaller, the runt of Jesse’s litter. He was relegated to tending sheep while his older brothers represented the family, fighting along King Saul.

The people wanted a king. Saul was the people’s popular choice. And, the prophet Samuel thought Saul looked good in his armor too. But, Saul wanted to fit God and His agenda into Saul’s convenient schedule. He was a rule bender. When Samuel showed up late one day, Saul went ahead and played priest and offered a sacrifice himself. When God said wipe out every Amalekite and everything they have, Saul, thought better, and decided to spare king Agag, the best sheep, and spoil. And, when God through Samuel said, your reign is over, David’s the guy; Saul foolishly tried to kill David and stay on top. Saul fudged on his orders. Saul was a compromiser, who wanted to make God, the people, and especially himself happy. It cost Saul the kingdom, God’s favor, and his peace of mind.

King David had is own problems, but, king David was a man after God’s own heart. When the average Israelite saw insurmountable problems, (e.g. an eight foot Philistine, named Goliath), David saw the irresistible will and unlimited power of God. “You come to me with a sword and a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands…” The youth David, to the Champion of the Philistines. 1 Samuel 17:45, 46a

These three chapters in 1^st Samuel are sobering to me. They tell of the perfect will of God, the imperfect obedience of man, the fickleness of the people, and the power of setting one’s heart after God. It’s sobering, because our culture thinks like Israel, and many times I think like Saul. “Keep everybody happy, and do something for God, while I conveniently fit him into my agenda.” After I do what I want to do, I’ll go to church, write a check for an offering, and ask God to bless me.

But, am I uncompromisingly following the specific will of God to the letter? Is my heart right like David’s? Would I destroy and burn up everything in my life that is a hindrance to my obedience to God and his kingdom? I know I come up short. How about you? Read 1 Samuel 15 through 17 and see if you get challenged and convicted about your walk.

Ruth and Boaz

I’m going through the Chronological Bible which has me transitioning from the book of Judges to the story of Ruth. What a change! The clans of Jacob have been fighting each other over a land grab and almost wipe out Benjamin after a shameful scandal of the abuse of a concubine. Judges leaves us with a mess in Israel, because it says, “Everyone did what they thought was right in their own eyes.”

The love story of Ruth is much more encouraging. A foreigner, Ruth, a Moabite woman marries into a Jewish family and learns to love her mother in law and the ways and God of Israel. Ruth sacrificially gleans in the fields of a relative of Naomi’s and brings enough grain home to keep Naomi and herself alive in tough times. Boaz, a righteous man, and kinsman redeemer, ends up looking after Ruth and Naomi, and redeeming the women and their former lands for a heritage.

Boaz is touched by Ruth’s love for her mother in law, and her willingness to cast her lot with him, self described as an older man, not as young and handsome as men more Ruth’s age. But they happily marry and put a family together. Ruth gives birth to Obed, who later becomes the father of Jesse, and the grandfather of King David. God really honors this family’s selflessness and desire to do what’s right.

In fact, the name “Ruth,” has come to mean Love! You may be more familiar with the negative “ruthless” meaning without any love or regard for one’s fellow man. Quite a change from the selfishness of Judges to the selflessness of Ruth! Read this inspiring story when you have a chance.