1 Samuel 8:5 “…now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”
Chapter 8 of 1 Samuel seems to be the epitome of: Either we say to God, “Thy will be done,” or God says to us, “Thy will be done.” The Israelites wanted an earthly king just like everyone else. They were so focused on all the benefits they thought would come from what they wanted that even when Samuel told them specifically what it would cost them, their desire to have their way, to be like everyone else, eclipsed everything—Even reason. Even God. So God gave them what they wanted, to their own detriment.
1 Samuel 8:9 “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.”
It is shockingly easy for me to sit in judgement of the Israelites and their ridiculous choices, but if I’m honest, I’ve done the same thing myself, more than once. And in the same breath that I think, “God, how could you put up with their continued disobedience?” I also think, “Thank You for not writing me off when I make bad choices.” Humans haven’t changed much. Thankfully, God hasn’t either.
1 Samuel 8:19-20 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No! … We want a king over us. 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.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for Your steadfast love and compassion. Thank You for showing us the right way and using our bullheadedness to bring us closer to You, even through the pain of our bad choices. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. Draw us closer. Amen.
1 Samuel 8:22 The LORD answered, “Listen to them and give them what they want.”
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.