Samuel 9:18–21 (ESV) —
18 Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Tell me where is the house of the seer?” 19 Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. 20 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father’s house?” 21 Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?”
NOTE: I think the author, God, is making a huge contrast in his selection of a king. He has chosen a man that fits the worldly description (rich, tall, and handsome), but he is spiritually dull (also a desirable worldly quality). He does not know who Samuel is and cannot recognize him. He comes from a town, Gibeah (10:10, 26), that is best known for committing one of the most heinous sins of Israel during the days of the Judges. If there is any positive item about Saul, is that he appears humble, although that may reflect a lack of perception -- he sees the surface of things, he does not see beyond the surface. In that sense, he is also worldly, he is focused on results not things that are harder to measure, like spirituality or heart.
PONDER:
- Am I worldly or am I spiritual? What is the evidence of my claim? What do I truly value?
PRAYER: Father, I pray I would live with spiritual eyes and not worldly eyes. I don't want to be what the world desires but what you desire.
No comments:
Post a Comment