Friday, July 22, 2016

Who do you think is in charge here?

Then Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” But the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.” And Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day. And Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today. For as the LORD lives who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people who answered him. Then he said to all Israel, “You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.” Therefore Saul said, “O LORD God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O LORD, God of Israel, give Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was taken. (1 Samuel 14:36-42 ESV)
After jumping on the bandwagon of Jonathan's success, Saul takes charge and starts barking orders. He foolishly forbids anyone to eat until they take they capture the fleeing Philistines, leading to a less than glorious victory. Now he commands his army to attack them. Has he learned anything? He again forgets and fails to seek God, until rebuked by the priest. When God will not answer, he tries to tell God what to do and how to do it. He proudly proclaims that he has done nothing wrong, again. Though Jonathan rightly draws the short straw as the one who has "disobeyed," he is not the problem. Saul is king, but he has forgotten God is KING. As we make decisions, give instructions, and take actions today, who do we think we are? May we be servants in the hands of the Living God.

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