Lessons Learned
There’s an important lesson we find in the books I Samuel and in Judges. In I Samuel, specifically in the ninth chapter, where the prophet Samuel anoints Saul to be King over Isra’el.
All of us know the story there, and how Saul became a lousy king and a great disappointment to Samuel, Yahweh and the whole nation of Isra’el. Most of us have been taught that the Lord was against His people having a king. Actually, He was demonstrating with Saul, that the people really do need a king. Yes, yes. I realize that all the Bible teachers, including myself not, so long ago, teach that when Samuel anointed Saul, the Lord gave Israel something they were crying for, but that He didn’t want them to have a king. But an honest reading of Samuel and then in Judges shows us something completely different.
The Lord was actually teaching Israel that they couldn’t function without a king. They couldn’t follow Yahweh’s laws and commands without a king. And the king they got, was a failure. Now I realize that Joshua was never officially a king, but in many ways that was his role; he was Yehoveh’s definition of a king, a king that is vastly different from the the way we think of a king. Joshua was the example of ideal leadership for Israel, one they failed to follow. One that will not come again until Messiah returns.
You see, our definition of a king is someone who is privileged royalty; someone the people serve, because frankly, they don’t have any choice in the matter. However, Yahweh’s definition of a king is a shepherd who serves those who have chosen to follow him by their own free will. Human’s choose a king who will use them as human shields, consisting of thousands of men who would lay down their lives for the benefit of the king. Yahweh’s king would lay down his life for the benefit of the people. The problem with Israel was that eventually they wanted their (and their neighbors’) definition of a king to rule them, so the Lord gave it to them! If you want it, you get it. The issue was the type of king, not the idea of being ruled by a king that He wanted the people to learn.
You mean God will do that? Give something you want, but He doesn’t want for you? Yep! I experienced this in my own life. Right after I came to the Lord, I was working two jobs (Radio Announcer and in the Circulation Department in the town newspaper). I was also going to school (almost full time). Well, I got it in my head that I wanted to go into Psychology, specifically child psychology. So, I was studying real hard, and finally applied to work at a school for physically and emotionally impaired children — which was a BIG mistake! But man, I prayed for favor in the eyes of the Managers; I confessed that the job was mine; I did all the things I was “supposed” to do. However, what I forgot to do was to stop and ask my Father if this was a good position for me.
After I received the job I realized how much of a mistake it was . . . I was terrible at it. I didn’t have the patience, I didn’t have the wisdom, I didn’t fit in at all with what the job demanded. So yes, He gave me what I asked for (Pray and ask anything in my Name, it will be done . . .). Yeah, well, what I learned is to ask Him what He wants for me!
So many times we get set on something that we “absolutely gotta have!” But if we do receive it, we are disappointed with what we hoped for. Please don’t make the mistake[s] that I made. Don’t fixate on what you want, but step aside and ask him what HE wants of you.
Nickolas
All of us know the story there, and how Saul became a lousy king and a great disappointment to Samuel, Yahweh and the whole nation of Isra’el. Most of us have been taught that the Lord was against His people having a king. Actually, He was demonstrating with Saul, that the people really do need a king. Yes, yes. I realize that all the Bible teachers, including myself not, so long ago, teach that when Samuel anointed Saul, the Lord gave Israel something they were crying for, but that He didn’t want them to have a king. But an honest reading of Samuel and then in Judges shows us something completely different.
The Lord was actually teaching Israel that they couldn’t function without a king. They couldn’t follow Yahweh’s laws and commands without a king. And the king they got, was a failure. Now I realize that Joshua was never officially a king, but in many ways that was his role; he was Yehoveh’s definition of a king, a king that is vastly different from the the way we think of a king. Joshua was the example of ideal leadership for Israel, one they failed to follow. One that will not come again until Messiah returns.
You see, our definition of a king is someone who is privileged royalty; someone the people serve, because frankly, they don’t have any choice in the matter. However, Yahweh’s definition of a king is a shepherd who serves those who have chosen to follow him by their own free will. Human’s choose a king who will use them as human shields, consisting of thousands of men who would lay down their lives for the benefit of the king. Yahweh’s king would lay down his life for the benefit of the people. The problem with Israel was that eventually they wanted their (and their neighbors’) definition of a king to rule them, so the Lord gave it to them! If you want it, you get it. The issue was the type of king, not the idea of being ruled by a king that He wanted the people to learn.
You mean God will do that? Give something you want, but He doesn’t want for you? Yep! I experienced this in my own life. Right after I came to the Lord, I was working two jobs (Radio Announcer and in the Circulation Department in the town newspaper). I was also going to school (almost full time). Well, I got it in my head that I wanted to go into Psychology, specifically child psychology. So, I was studying real hard, and finally applied to work at a school for physically and emotionally impaired children — which was a BIG mistake! But man, I prayed for favor in the eyes of the Managers; I confessed that the job was mine; I did all the things I was “supposed” to do. However, what I forgot to do was to stop and ask my Father if this was a good position for me.
After I received the job I realized how much of a mistake it was . . . I was terrible at it. I didn’t have the patience, I didn’t have the wisdom, I didn’t fit in at all with what the job demanded. So yes, He gave me what I asked for (Pray and ask anything in my Name, it will be done . . .). Yeah, well, what I learned is to ask Him what He wants for me!
So many times we get set on something that we “absolutely gotta have!” But if we do receive it, we are disappointed with what we hoped for. Please don’t make the mistake[s] that I made. Don’t fixate on what you want, but step aside and ask him what HE wants of you.
Nickolas
(I send out messages like this each morning in emails, and if you are interested in receiving them, send me your email address and I will add you to the list: Mail List)
With these Morning Messages, I take you on guided tours to, as Bunyan described, the Celestial City. At times we linger at corners familiar and unseen. And explore the depths of our faith along the way.The trail is long, but there’s no hurry. Though we do need to stock up on supplies for the way, and that’s where I need your help. If you enjoy these messages, please consider becoming a contributing member of this tour group. It will be very much appreciated.
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