Take Me To The King

The midterm elections have officially begun this week with early voting. After all of the campaign ads slinging mud and lies, day after day and hour after hour it is a relief to know that Election Day is drawing near. Sadly, we know that whoever we elect will not be perfect, and will disappoint us in some way. Even Christians who staunchly support a particular candidate because of their avowed stance on 1 or 2 issues, realize that they are in fact supporting that person in spite of their flaws in other areas. The fact of the matter is that in this fallen world, we choose between imperfect people to govern over us and we live with the results. In 1 Samuel 8:4–7; 10:17–24, Israel’s continued disobedience and rebellion causes them to reject God’s perfect and loving governance over them, in favor of the imperfect governance of a human king. I pray that in this election season that you will still choose God to be the head of your life.

So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. (1 Sam. 8:4-7). Israel’s elders came to Samuel and rejected his sons as judges over them. Samuel had appointed his sons as judges, but they were corrupt and the elders wisely rejected them. However, their mistake was in asking for a king “such as all the other nations have”. Samuel was rightly displeased by the elders' request for a king. As we all should do when matters are weighing on us, Samuel went to the Lord in prayer to seek guidance. God saw the elder’s request for what it was…a rejection of Him as their King in favor of worshiping the gods of other nations around them. Be careful that you are not chasing and worshiping other things in place of God.

Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah and said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.” (1 Sam. 10:17-19). Once again, God reminded Israel of His record of love, care and faithfulness toward them. By His power, He delivered them out of bondage and protected them from the oppression and calamities brought upon them by the nations around them. Yet they still rejected Him to run after what the other nations had. So the Lord turned them over to their desires to have a human king govern over them. God will sometimes give you over to your persistent desires and the consequences thereof, so that you will learn to appreciate His goodness and plans for you.

When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. So they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?”

And the LORD said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”

They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” (1 Sam. 10:20-24). The process for demonstrating God’s selection of the new king involved narrowing down from the tribe, the clan and the family, by lot. Saul had already been selected and anointed king (see earlier in chapter 10), but this demonstration was designed to let the people know God’s selection. The use of lots was common practice to inquire of the Lord’s divine will in a matter. Finally, the lot fell to Saul, son of Kish. In a foreshadowing of what would mark his leadership as king, Saul distanced himself from God’s decision and calling. It should be noted that Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin (not Judah). Therefore, the prophetic blessing of Jacob (that the scepter would not depart from Judah - Gen. 49:10), could never be fulfilled in Saul. The people were enthusiastic about Saul to be their king. The bible points out that he even looked the part. But he was already disqualified by God, whose ultimate plan was to bring the Messiah through the lineage of Judah. Just because you have been selected, doesn't mean that it is in line with God's plan.

Whenever we attempt to replace God's rule over our lives and operate under our own control, it doesn't turn out well for us. The elders of Israel sought to replace God's Theocratic leadership and governance of the nation, with a monarchy that was like the other nations. Saul was selected as their first king and it turned out disastrous. While he looked the part of a king straight out of central casting, he never lived up to his anointing and his calling. As a result, the nation of Israel suffered, even losing the Ark of the Covenant to their enemies in battle. Saul's poor and disobedient leadership did however serve a purpose. It paved the way for a leader who would come after him, David, a man after God's own heart. Although David wasn't perfect either, He did seek and listen to God, and was known to repent from his mistakes. We know what it is to live under corrupt, oppressive and dysfunctional governance and leadership. We long for righteous and just government. A government that will bless the people and not divide people. A government that has the people's best interest at heart, not serving to appease the greed of those in power. A government like... the one God has in mind for us through King Jesus (Is. 9:6-7)! In this fallen and broken world, we must select leaders from among imperfect people. So take me to the polls so I can vote....but then take me to the King, so I can live!

Listen here as Tamela Mann takes you on a musical procession to the throne of The King "Take Me To The King"

Blessings,

Rev. Glenn