What kind of man was Saul?
Saul believed that he was the king, the one that Samuel the prophet chose. He looked like a king. He had the ability of a king. Because he was the king, he had the right to be protective of his throne. He believed he had the right to make the decisions on his own. If he wanted to make a sacrifice without God, he would do it. If he wanted to destroy those who threatened his throne, he would do it. He was the king and it was his right, it was his prerogative!
George Barna in his book Generation Next comments on THE PREFERRED LIFESTYLE:
“We would like to have more structure provided, but without having our independence or our freedom to experiment impeded. We want to learn from the experiences and wisdom of our parents, but we are not willing to allow our elders the latitude to impart those lessons in a manner that fits parents’ needs and styles. We struggle with the effects of stress, but we continue to book busy schedules. More time in intimate experiences with family would be appreciated, but we will neither push for nor create those opportunities. We are frightened by the potential consequences of many at-risk behaviors, yet we flirt with those dangers regularly.”
So what do we want as our ideal lifestyle? It’s simple, really. A loving, caring, listening family that balances freedom and structure, trust and rules. A church that makes God real, religion fun, provides us with a chance to find truths that are comprehensible and relevant, and does not strangle us with a list of “don’ts”. We want friends who are understanding and giving, and who share the emotional realities of life and who can be counted on to grow with us. Schools that require little or no homework, teach pertinent subjects in interesting ways with minimal academic pressure, and that prepare us for meaningful and exciting careers. We would like a schedule filled with entertaining elements: music, video imagery and a celebration of the good things in life. The chance to make a difference without being emotionally drained or having to invest too much time. A taste of the pleasures in life that are forbidden – sex, drugs, booze and gambling – without paying the price for our dance with disaster. The resources to live comfortably, without guilt or remorse, and to enjoy the best the world has to offer without becoming slaves to affluence.
As the Rolling Stones sang a quarter century ago, “You can’t always get what you want…but if you try, sometimes, you can get what you need.”
Lets’ see how far we can throw (1 Samuel 18:10-11,20:32-33)
Just like Saul we believe that we are entitled to pick up spears in order to protect our reputations. We don’t want anyone to recognize our failures. So we pick up spears and try to kill off the people that get in our way.
We pick up spears out of jealousy.
We throw them with fear.
They cut the wind with disobedience.
They are aimed with suspicion.
Do the right thing (1 Samuel 19:4, 18:4)
We need to put down our weapons and come out with our hands up. Instead of throwing spears that would destroy the life or lives of God’s servants, we must surrender our weapons. That’s what Jonathan did. That’s what David did.
Jonathan was Saul’s son and the rightful heir to the throne. He could have killed David. He had the opportunity to pick up his weapon and thrust it into the man who was a threat to his father and his future as the king of Israel. But instead he made himself vulnerable. Jonathan didn’t pick up his weapon, he surrendered it.
He wasn’t arrogant, disobedient, jealous, fearful or suspicious. He didn’t throw spears at David. He defended David (1 Samuel 19:4) and spoke well of him to Saul his father. David had the opportunity to cut Jonathan down (1 Samuel 18:4). David was anointed by God to reign over Israel. When Jonathan put his weapon down and made himself vulnerable, it would have been the perfect time for David to cut off the bloodline of Saul, yet he didn’t. He had the opportunity to slice the throat of Saul, but he didn’t.
Then how come Saul threw spears? Saul was a gifted man who was outwardly empowered. David and Jonathan were broken men inwardly transformed. We do not have the right to throw spears or pick up swords to protect our reputation. We want to sit on the throne as king, but we don’t want to do what it takes to get there or stay there. I pray for brokenness but I won’t let God break me. I want a good reputation but I slander everyone else’s. I dream of success but I don’t want to work for it. I want character but I don’t want to get rid of my sin through accountability or transparency. Instead we throw spears at everyone to make them look like horrible people when compared to us.
So what do we want as our ideal lifestyle? It’s simple, really. A loving, caring, listening family that balances freedom and structure, trust and rules. A church that makes God real, religion fun, provides us with a chance to find truths that are comprehensible and relevant, and does not strangle us with a list of “don’ts”. We want friends who are understanding and giving, and who share the emotional realities of life and who can be counted on to grow with us. Schools that require little or no homework, teach pertinent subjects in interesting ways with minimal academic pressure, and that prepare us for meaningful and exciting careers. We would like a schedule filled with entertaining elements: music, video imagery and a celebration of the good things in life. The chance to make a difference without being emotionally drained or having to invest too much time. A taste of the pleasures in life that are forbidden – sex, drugs, booze and gambling – without paying the price for our dance with disaster. The resources to live comfortably, without guilt or remorse, and to enjoy the best the world has to offer without becoming slaves to affluence.
As the Rolling Stones sang a quarter century ago, “You can’t always get what you want…but if you try, sometimes, you can get what you need.”
Lets’ see how far we can throw (1 Samuel 18:10-11,20:32-33)
Just like Saul we believe that we are entitled to pick up spears in order to protect our reputations. We don’t want anyone to recognize our failures. So we pick up spears and try to kill off the people that get in our way.
We pick up spears out of jealousy.
We throw them with fear.
They cut the wind with disobedience.
They are aimed with suspicion.
Do the right thing (1 Samuel 19:4, 18:4)
We need to put down our weapons and come out with our hands up. Instead of throwing spears that would destroy the life or lives of God’s servants, we must surrender our weapons. That’s what Jonathan did. That’s what David did.
Jonathan was Saul’s son and the rightful heir to the throne. He could have killed David. He had the opportunity to pick up his weapon and thrust it into the man who was a threat to his father and his future as the king of Israel. But instead he made himself vulnerable. Jonathan didn’t pick up his weapon, he surrendered it.
He wasn’t arrogant, disobedient, jealous, fearful or suspicious. He didn’t throw spears at David. He defended David (1 Samuel 19:4) and spoke well of him to Saul his father. David had the opportunity to cut Jonathan down (1 Samuel 18:4). David was anointed by God to reign over Israel. When Jonathan put his weapon down and made himself vulnerable, it would have been the perfect time for David to cut off the bloodline of Saul, yet he didn’t. He had the opportunity to slice the throat of Saul, but he didn’t.
Then how come Saul threw spears? Saul was a gifted man who was outwardly empowered. David and Jonathan were broken men inwardly transformed. We do not have the right to throw spears or pick up swords to protect our reputation. We want to sit on the throne as king, but we don’t want to do what it takes to get there or stay there. I pray for brokenness but I won’t let God break me. I want a good reputation but I slander everyone else’s. I dream of success but I don’t want to work for it. I want character but I don’t want to get rid of my sin through accountability or transparency. Instead we throw spears at everyone to make them look like horrible people when compared to us.
No comments:
Post a Comment