The World Exposed
When you consider Saul to be a picture of the worldly powers and David to be a picture of the Church these chapters in 1 Samuel continue to inform God's people that God will do multiple things to protect His own.
1 Samuel 19:22–24 (ESV) Then he himself went to Ramah and came to the great well that is in Secu. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” And one said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.” 23 And he went there to Naioth in Ramah. And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
Saul has sent people to catch David for him. After the Spirit comes upon them and stops their vengeful quest, Saul himself goes to get the job done himself. When he arrives where David is hiding with Samuel the Spirit comes upon him and he strips and prophesies!
Now the most obvious question here is simply this: What is this teaching us?
What strange way for Saul to be stopped from pursuing David. He is bent on vengeance. He wants to kill. Now he is naked, stripped bare of his armor, his clothes and his arrogant spirit that jealously protects his own reputation and rights. Now he is declaring the Word of the Lord. Now he is shown as God's instrument to accomplish God's purpose after failing in his own hateful quest.
What we have here is a picture for us of what will become of those powers that seek to destroy God's work. Just as Saul will strip himself of his weapons, the kingdoms of this world will be stripped of their power. Just as Saul was exposed nakedly as people could see him without the kingly coverings he aggressively protected, the world will be exposed for what it really is and the eyes of men and women will be opened. God will win.
This passage is meant to inspire hope in our hearts. Because when we look at the message of the Cross in our age we may be tempted to lose hope. We may be tempted to think our work is insignificant, that there is no gain in serving God's purposes faithfully. Ah, but the glamour and celebration of worldly position and power is just a facade. It is the best the devil can manipulate to fashion men/women as gods before their eyes. But it's fake. Just look at the way we elect Presidents thinking they are our saving prince only to be let down repeatedly one after the other when we find out they cannot fix everything. Just look at the way celebrities and dignitaries are being exposed today for the liars and human rights violators they have always been.
Yes friend the world is not as it seems. The powers of today will be impotent tomorrow. God's will shall prevail.
Jesus told us one day everything we think we see will become visible for what it truly is.
Luke 8:17 (ESV) For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
1 Samuel 19:22–24 (ESV) Then he himself went to Ramah and came to the great well that is in Secu. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” And one said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.” 23 And he went there to Naioth in Ramah. And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
Saul has sent people to catch David for him. After the Spirit comes upon them and stops their vengeful quest, Saul himself goes to get the job done himself. When he arrives where David is hiding with Samuel the Spirit comes upon him and he strips and prophesies!
Now the most obvious question here is simply this: What is this teaching us?
What strange way for Saul to be stopped from pursuing David. He is bent on vengeance. He wants to kill. Now he is naked, stripped bare of his armor, his clothes and his arrogant spirit that jealously protects his own reputation and rights. Now he is declaring the Word of the Lord. Now he is shown as God's instrument to accomplish God's purpose after failing in his own hateful quest.
What we have here is a picture for us of what will become of those powers that seek to destroy God's work. Just as Saul will strip himself of his weapons, the kingdoms of this world will be stripped of their power. Just as Saul was exposed nakedly as people could see him without the kingly coverings he aggressively protected, the world will be exposed for what it really is and the eyes of men and women will be opened. God will win.
This passage is meant to inspire hope in our hearts. Because when we look at the message of the Cross in our age we may be tempted to lose hope. We may be tempted to think our work is insignificant, that there is no gain in serving God's purposes faithfully. Ah, but the glamour and celebration of worldly position and power is just a facade. It is the best the devil can manipulate to fashion men/women as gods before their eyes. But it's fake. Just look at the way we elect Presidents thinking they are our saving prince only to be let down repeatedly one after the other when we find out they cannot fix everything. Just look at the way celebrities and dignitaries are being exposed today for the liars and human rights violators they have always been.
Yes friend the world is not as it seems. The powers of today will be impotent tomorrow. God's will shall prevail.
Jesus told us one day everything we think we see will become visible for what it truly is.
Luke 8:17 (ESV) For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
Then after this word Jesus tells us what to do:
Luke 8:18 (ESV) Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
Take care of what you pay attention to and who you give your ear to. For there are many voices in the world. There are many messages flooding the airwaves. The world may look impressive, but it will be stripped naked and exposed. Listen to God! Follow His voice! He will speak and empower you. And in the end, you'll be thankful.
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