The Warning & The Priest
We don't pay attention to warnings very well. Caution signs, road signs alerting us to danger, even the "floor slippery" sign is often ignored. Why is it? What is it about the human condition that we trend toward self-destruction? Israel shows us ourselves repeatedly in this manner.
1 Samuel 12:21 (ESV) And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.
Samuel tells Israel something interesting in this passage. Notice his words of caution: "Do not turn aside to empty things." Why would they turn aside to these things? He hints at in the rest of the sentence, "that cannot profit or deliver."
The two things we seek: profit and deliverance. We want to gain and we want relief from our pain. We want to see our lives both abundant and free from hindrance. Why do we want this so badly? Because we were made to live in abundance and freedom. That was the garden. The garden was abundantly fruitful where mankind was to enjoy perfect freedom with God.
Our common paths of self-destruction betray what's been missing since the fall. We know we should have these things and we pursue them with any number of secondary vices. For Israel as well as us, we work with Creation misaligned, forcing it to do for us what only peace with God can deliver.
Samuel has warned Israel to continue after the Lord. But he will not leave to their own ability or willingness to do so. He's going to commit even in retirement to praying for them:
1 Samuel 12:23 (ESV) Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
Samuel calls not praying for them "sin". Now that doesn't sound like a sin to many people. And indeed, you not praying for someone who tends to be rebellious anyway wouldn't constitute the most disagreeable action. But this is why the Old Testament must be read with the fulfillment of Christ in mind.
1 Samuel 12:21 (ESV) And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.
Samuel tells Israel something interesting in this passage. Notice his words of caution: "Do not turn aside to empty things." Why would they turn aside to these things? He hints at in the rest of the sentence, "that cannot profit or deliver."
The two things we seek: profit and deliverance. We want to gain and we want relief from our pain. We want to see our lives both abundant and free from hindrance. Why do we want this so badly? Because we were made to live in abundance and freedom. That was the garden. The garden was abundantly fruitful where mankind was to enjoy perfect freedom with God.
Our common paths of self-destruction betray what's been missing since the fall. We know we should have these things and we pursue them with any number of secondary vices. For Israel as well as us, we work with Creation misaligned, forcing it to do for us what only peace with God can deliver.
Samuel has warned Israel to continue after the Lord. But he will not leave to their own ability or willingness to do so. He's going to commit even in retirement to praying for them:
1 Samuel 12:23 (ESV) Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
Samuel calls not praying for them "sin". Now that doesn't sound like a sin to many people. And indeed, you not praying for someone who tends to be rebellious anyway wouldn't constitute the most disagreeable action. But this is why the Old Testament must be read with the fulfillment of Christ in mind.
Samuel shows us a picture of the ascended Christ. Samuel has finished his job of judging Israel faithfully and leading them back to the Lord. If you consider where Israel was under Eli to where they are now, Samuel was an incredible success story of Godly leadership. He has installed the people's king and is no longer the political head of the nation. But he will not go away quietly. He tells Israel he plans to pray for them and teach them from here on out. What an interesting way to put it. Samuel knows the Lord's prophets must not just be people who shout and warn the people but pray and teach them.
Many Christian leaders have the warning and shouting down. They almost seem to like it. But do they have a heart for the Lord's people? That is a most important question.
Jesus comes as the fulfillment of Samuel's ministry here. Only instead of judging Israel, He judges the nations leading them back to God. Instead of installing another as king He is our King. Instead of fading away through death He ever lives to pray and intercede for us at the right hand of the Father. We have a greater Samuel who warns us, prays for us, teaches us His Word through the Holy Spirit and continues in steadfast love for us.
Thank you Jesus.
Jesus comes as the fulfillment of Samuel's ministry here. Only instead of judging Israel, He judges the nations leading them back to God. Instead of installing another as king He is our King. Instead of fading away through death He ever lives to pray and intercede for us at the right hand of the Father. We have a greater Samuel who warns us, prays for us, teaches us His Word through the Holy Spirit and continues in steadfast love for us.
Thank you Jesus.
Comments
Post a Comment