“But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.” (1 Samuel 12:12)
I hadn’t noticed the role that fear played in this sinful episode, when the Israelites rejected the kingship of God and opted for a human king. The Ammonites were coming. They had come before, dominating Israel during the period of the judges (Judges 10-11). They were coming again, and the people were scared. Were they really supposed to just depend on God’s protection? It was time to act!
So they went to Samuel and demanded a king. A king to lead them in battle. It was logical. It was necessary. It was the only thing to do.
That’s what fear told them. And it was the beginning of the end for the nation of Israel. They had the chance to have God as their king, to have God fight their battles. But they chose to depend on human strength and human wisdom.
Would we have done any better? With an enemy knocking at our door, would we have dared rely on God alone? Would we have trusted God’s promises or sought the comfort of strong human leadership and military might? I’m not sure that I would have done any better than they.
I hear you question loud and clear.
Fearlessness is easy for me to preach, now that I have a job with insurance and retirement benefits.
Tim, Maybe they remembered God’s words, that he was through with them. Maybe all hope was gone.
Jdg 10:13 Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.
Jdg 10:14 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.
This passage has always bothered me.
Did God not tell them to go follow a different leader? We are warned that God is a jealous God.
I wonder, at times, how much I’m relying on insurance, retirement, etc., rather than relying on God. I don’t think you have to be stupid to trust in God; I lock my house at night. Still, I don’t want my heart to come to rely on those material things.
Laymond, let’s not forget that they had lived episodes like what is described in 1 Samuel 7. God had not abandoned them. Unfortunately, I think they thought Samuel was their deliverer, rather than God.
Great post Sir, sometimes I think we “hammer” the pulpit on what God does not want and what he will do if you do what he does not want. Time should be spend on His love, mercy, peace, and deliverance, that in time will lead one to repentance. Thaks for your encouraging words!!
Trent
Maybe I’m finally coming back out of my kneejerk-conservative phase, but I’m actually looking forward to Max Lucado’s next book —
okay — I lost an HTML tag in there somewhere! LOL
Let’s try that again: I’m actually looking forward to Max’s next book: Fearless
bout time nick!!…lol…
I saw a brother write something about Max Lucado’s new book “advocating evangelical doctrine”… and I’m quite sure this brother hasn’t read the book yet!
Oh, that’s okay, Tim. A brother just told me this in a discussion of grace.
“I’m using Bible rather than commentary from someone who is lost (Jack C.). I don’t like the language you are using because it isn’t from God. That is how I know I don’t lack understanding on this topic, because I’m using the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible to understand the concept of Grace.” (emphasis Nick’s)
I’m not sure that Max Lucado was feel insulted at being called an evangelical. I don’t take it as an insult when I’m called one.
I meant “would” instead of “was.” Sorry about that.
No, I don’t think Max would either. But I know how this brother meant it. He was speaking of preparing brothers to resist Max’ influence.