Romans 12:35 Devotional
5 Reasons Israel Wanted Saul as King
In First Samuel, we see Israel transition from a system of Judges to a monarchy. Although the narrative does give us a close-up view of what got the nation to this point, it’s helpful to zoom out and examine the factors at play. Why would Israel prefer a system like the other nations? Let’s examine the 5 reasons Israel wanted Saul as king, according to the New American Commentary. The Lord Gives Israel a King “Such as All Other Nations Have” This second major section of 1, 2 Samuel details the outworking of one of the Torah’s most important predictions, the transfer of supreme social influence in Israelite culture from judges and Levites to kings. 1 Samuel 8:1-14:51 functions as a historical commentary on Deut 16:18-17:20 and provides insights into both the proximate and underlying causes for Israel’s immutable decision to be ruled by an earthly king. As presented in 1 Samuel 8, the following political, military, and spiritual factors underlay Israel’s demand for a leadership change: 1. The failure to establish a system producing an adequate number of qualified judges to lead Israel (8:3-5; cf. Deut 16:18). In particular, the ability of the judgeship system to provide a system of succession failed. Four different judges were mentioned in the Bible as having sons who held positions of leadership following their fathers’ deaths. In three of the cases–Gideon’s, Eli’s, and Samuel’s–the sons were portrayed as unworthy successors. In the one instance where apparently successful succession did occur–Jair–it does not appear to have been carried on past one generation (Judg 10:4). 2. The desire of the people to have a national, rather than local or regional, government (cf. 8:4). Samuel is the first judge in the Bible who was accorded truly national status; eleven times in the Hebrew Bible, Samuel is noted as leading, or at least being influential, throughout all Israel. Biblical narrative accounts give no suggestion that any of the judges prior to Samuel ministered to all Israel. Samuel’s influence as both prophet and judge exceeded his regional boundaries, suggesting that he was a transitional figure, preparing Israel for more formal national leadership. His leadership over extensive regions indicates that Israel was moving away from the Torah ideal of numerous simultaneous judgeships (Deut 16:18). Likely this situation came about because of a lack of qualified candidates in many localities (cf. 8:2-3), reflective of the generally degraded state of Israelite society at that time. While exercising less control than a king, Samuel’s career seems a necessary event in preparing Israel for monarchy. 3. The perceived need for more human military leadership in armed conflicts against other nations (cf. 8:20). Israel’s elders considered the tribes’ external military threats to be sufficiently serious to warrant a fundamental change in leadership style. It is reasonable to assume that economic considerations, especially the desire of wealthy Israelites to preserve their wealth from foreign confiscation, played a key role in the call for a strengthened military structure. 4. The desire of the people to have a form of national government that was “like the other nations” (cf. 8:5, 20). The Torah had foreseen a day when Israel would desire a king “like the nations” (Deut 17:14) surrounding them, and in the latter part of Samuel’s career that day came. The Torah implicitly suggests this event would be undesirable, since Israel was to be fundamentally different from the other nations; the Lord was to be their king, with the nation set apart for service to their divine monarch. 5. The more fundamental reason for Israel desiring a king, however, was spiritual: they had rejected God as their king (8:7). The Bible indicates that the concept of the Lord’s kingship over Israel was as old as the foundations of Israelite society, being traced to Moses (Deut 33:5) and acclaimed by non-Israelites (Num 23:21). Any attempt to have an earthly king to take the Lord’s rightful place (cf. 8:20) would end catastrophically. Remarkably enough, the Lord honored the people’s request, giving them precisely what they requested–Saul, a king “such as all the other nations have” (cf. 8:5). Saul, son of Kish, was as physically impressive and spiritually blind as the pagans. Saul’s unfitness to lead the Lord’s people is foreshadowed in the opening narrative portrait of Israel’s first king (9:3-10:16). There Saul is depicted as a bad shepherd, a metaphorical image in Semitic societies of an incompetent or ruinous leader. Saul’s Spiritual Incompetence This dark hint is reinforced in the writer’s selection of narrative details that illustrate spiritual incompetence of almost legendary proportions. Because of his spiritual obtuseness, Saul was able to live within five miles of Samuel, the most significant spiritual figure since Moses, and yet be completely ignorant of the prophet-reformer’s existence. So complete was Saul’s darkness that he had to be told by his servant that a prophet could help him, and even then Saul assumed that prophets needed to be hired to perform their divine task. He displayed a fundamental ignorance of basic Torah regulations in such areas as diet and military conduct, and when he did institute Torah-based reforms, he exempted himself from them. His hypocrisy was most glaring when he attempted to justify his failure to destroy the Amalekites (15:9; Deut 25:19) and when he sought guidance from sources explicitly forbidden by the Torah (28:3-19; Deut 18:10-14). Clearly deliberate parallels are established between Saul and Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, further reinforcing the notion that Saul was a king “such as all the other nations have”. Both were impressed with David and had him serve as a personal bodyguard; both believed David was a serious threat to Saul; and both misjudged David, though in opposite ways. The biblical writer passes judgment on Saul for his failure to live up to fundamental Torah guidelines. But more importantly the writer faults Israel for desiring a king who was not “after God’s own heart,” that is, wholeheartedly devoted to God. Get More Like It! Did the above commentary interest you? Click the link below to continue learning! New American Commentary (42 Vols.)
Verse of the Day: Matthew 20:28
even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.20.28.KJV
Huge Sale, Great Price for the Summer!
Starting now receive huge deals on select best-selling titles! Enhance your Bible study with savings on commentaries, study Bibles, Greek study titles and more. 50% Off! NLT Life Application Study Bible, 3rd Ed. 50% Off! New! AGNT-5 (Innovating Presentation) 60% Off! New Daily Study Bible: NT (17 Vols.) 75% Off! Interpretation Commentary (43 Vols.) All Discounted Titles! See the entire Summer Sale
William MacDonald’s Believer’s Bible Commentary
William MacDonald’s Believer’s Bible Commentary offers a concise, accessible, yet thorough commentary that will equip newcomers to the faith and seasoned believers alike to make Bible study a part of their daily life. Covering every verse of the Bible, it furnishes reverent, reliable, and comprehensive help. Tackling difficult passages head-on, it seeks to provide a clear understanding using a balanced approach. This revised and expanded second edition of Thomas Nelson’s bestselling commentary now includes fourteen pages of full-color maps of the Holy Land along with additional study aids. The Believer’s Bible Commentary is designed to be used with any Bible translation and yields a friendly guide to exploring the deeper meaning of every biblical book. Get to know the author: William MacDonald was President of Emmaus Bible College, teacher, Plymouth Brethren theologian and a prolific author of over 84 published books. MacDonald refused to accept royalties for his books, but established a fund for translating his work Believers Bible Commentary into foreign languages. Save 50% Believer’s Bible Commentary
Geneologies, Genealogies, Geneologies
We’ve all gotten to those places in our reading and studying of Scripture where we come across an ancient genealogy and suddenly lose all our momentum. We find the notion of someone else’s family tree to be completely irrelevant to our own lives in the 21st century and often succumb to the temptation to skip over this “boring” part of Scripture. That’s where the best-selling, newly revised and expanded edition of the Life Application Study Bible NLT and KJV can help us. 1 Chronicles 1-9 The longest genealogy in Scripture is 1 Chronicles 1-9, coming in at a whopping ten chapters. It takes an incredible amount of concentration to read through this dense material, but the Life Application Study Bible can help break it down for us in an understandable way. The Life Application notes help explain the significance of this genealogy from an Israelite’s perspective. It also includes a helpful chart of “Who’s Who in the Bible.” Though we may not recognize every name in this genealogy or know anything about some of these people, the chart can help us locate and become more familiar with people who show up in other places in the Bible. In traversing this difficult terrain, we can have something solid to stand on as we work our way from one generation to the next. Personal Profiles Another unique feature of the Life Application Study Bible is the profiles of key people in the Bible. These profiles can help you dig deeper into some of the characters that show up in the genealogies, further strengthening our grasp of the biblical story. Here’s a profile of Noah. Genealogies of Jesus Another reason to not simply skip or dismiss the genealogies in the Bible is that they help us to know the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Life Application commentary notes speak to this in the two places Jesus’ genealogy shows up—Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38. Here is some content adapted from the Life Application commentary notes on Matthew’s genealogy: “1:1-17 Beginning his book by presenting this record of ancestors (called a genealogy) was the best way that Matthew could interest a Jewish audience. Because a Jewish person’s family line proved his or her standing as one of God’s chosen people, Matthew began by showing that Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, the father of all Jews, and a direct descendant of David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s line. The facts of this ancestry were carefully preserved. Matthew used this and many other proofs to show that Jesus is the true Messiah.” “1:1-17 In the first 17 verses of Matthew we meet 46 people whose lifetimes span 2,000 years. All were ancestors of Jesus, but they varied considerably in personality, spiritual maturity, and experience. Some were heroes of faith, like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, and David. Some came from outside Israel or had shady reputations, like Rahab, Tamar, and Ruth. Many were very ordinary, like Hezron, Ram, Nahshon, and Akim. And others were evil, like Manasseh and Abijah. Human failures or sins cannot limit or block God’s work in history. He works through both remarkable and ordinary people. Just as God chose all kinds of people to be part of the lineage of Jesus, he uses all kinds today to accomplish his will, in the present and for the future. And God wants to use you. This is one of Matthew’s main purposes—to show how you can be part of God’s Kingdom by following Jesus.” “1:3-6 Matthew’s inclusion of four particular women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba) reveals his concern to do more than relay historical data. These women might have raised both ethnic and ethical questions for Matthew’s readers. All four of them were most likely not Israelites by birth, and all might seem scandalous to mention in an ancestral tree of the Messiah. Tamar acted as a prostitute to scam her father-in-law, Judah, but she was declared righteous for her actions by Judah for showing greater faithfulness to the family than he had (Genesis 38). Rahab was a prostitute and a foreigner, but she helped deliver the city of Jericho into the hands of the Israelites and had faith in God (Joshua 2:1-21; 6:22-25). Ruth was from Moab, an enemy tribe of Israel, but she faithfully took care of her mother-in-law Naomi and was praised for being better than seven sons (Ruth 1–4). King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, yet she became the mother of Solomon, the wisest king of Israel (2 Samuel 11; 12:24-25). This was the colorful line into which God’s Son was born.” “Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus lists the good, the bad, and the ugly, and it intentionally does not leave out people who seemed questionable. The point Matthew is trying to make is that God sent his Son as the Savior of all people—Jews, Gentiles, men, and women. No matter who people are or where they come from, God’s plan of salvation is offered to all people.” Here is some more content from the Life Application commentary notes on Luke’s genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:23-38): “3:23-38 Matthew’s genealogy goes back to Abraham and shows that Jesus is related to all Jews (Matthew 1). Luke’s genealogy goes back to Adam, showing that Jesus is related to all human beings. This is consistent with Luke’s picture of Jesus as the fully human Savior of the whole world.” “3:23 Imagine the Savior of the world working in a small-town carpenter’s shop until he was 30 years old! It seems incredible that Jesus would have been content to remain in Nazareth all that time, but he patiently trusted his Father’s timing for his life and ministry. Thirty was the prescribed age for priests to begin their ministry (Numbers 4:3). Joseph was 30 years old when he began serving the king of Egypt (Genesis 41:46), and David was 30 years old when he began to reign over Judah (2 Samuel 5:4). Age 30, then, was a good time to begin an important task in the Jewish culture. Like Jesus, we need to resist the temptation to jump ahead before receiving the Spirit’s direction. Are you waiting and wondering what your next step should be? Trust God’s timing.” By noticing how Matthew and Luke crafted their genealogies, we can learn more about Jesus. Matthew wants us to see that Jesus is the offspring of both Abraham and David. In other words, he is Abraham’s offspring (see Gal 3:16) and David’s greater Son (see 2 Sam 7:1-17; Rom 1:3-4). Luke wants us to see that Jesus is the Son of God (Luke 3:22) like Adam (Luke 3:38), but where Adam succumbed to temptation (Gen 3:1-7), Jesus successfully resisted it (Luke 4:1-13). Save 50% Through a combination of charts, personal profiles, and commentary notes, the newly revised and expanded edition of the Life Application Study Bible can assist you in reading, studying, understanding, and applying some of the most challenging material you will encounter in the Bible. NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition KJV Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition
This is my new book: My Life From the Back Burner
This is a beautiful story about my life. It took some doing to write. It took me back down memory lane to places in my life that I had forgotten about.
When reading,make sure you have some tissues because you are going to need them. Well, you have to read the book to experience everything for yourselves. It is a page turner. It is online wherever books are sold, and it is on Kindle, I received that information on yesterday. I have also been registered with the Library of Congress. I am officially a professional published author! I am so excited about that. This is a dream come true for me.
Just wanted to share the good news with you all. As always, keep God first and He will take care of the rest. Have a blessed day. ©2022
The Thief in Paradise: MacAuthour Bible Commentary
When Jesus was hanging on the cross, one dying thief demonstrated how someone can be on the brink of death and still call Christ Lord. No matter where you are in life, there’s always time to recognize Jesus’ lordship in your own life. Read the below notes from the MacArthur Bible Commentary. Luke 23:32, 39-43 “Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.” (v. 32) “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (v. 39- 43) Verse-by-Verse Notes 23:32|two others, criminals.** This word denotes a rebel and brigand who plunders as he steals. These were probably cohorts of Barabbas in the rebellion, since robbery itself was not a capital offense under Roman law. 23:39|one of the criminals.** Matthew 27:44 and Mark 15:32 report that both criminals were mocking Christ along with the crowd. As the hours wore on, however, this criminal’s conscience was smitten, and he repented. When the impenitent thief resumed his mocking (v. 39), this thief rebuked him and refused to participate again. 23:41|this Man has done nothing wrong.** Even the thief testified of Jesus’ innocence. 23:42|Lord, remember me.** The penitent thief ’s prayer reflected his belief that the soul lives on after death, that Christ had a right to rule over a kingdom of the souls of men, and that He would soon enter that kingdom despite His impending death. His request to be remembered was a plea for mercy, which also reveals that the thief understood he had no hope but divine grace, and that the dispensing of that grace lay in Jesus’ power. All of this demonstrates true faith on the part of the dying thief, and Christ graciously affirmed the man’s salvation (v. 43). Key Word: Paradise 23:43|Paradise**—lit. *“garden”* or “park.” The Septuagint uses this word literally in Ecclesiastes 2:5 and Song of Solomon 4:13, although the term also refers to the Garden of Eden (see Gen. 2:8). Later, Paradise was described as the place of the righteous dead in Sheol (Luke 16:19–31). When Jesus spoke to the thief on the cross, He assured him that he would that day reside with Him in Paradise (23:42). This seems to indicate that this word refers to a pleasant place for the righteous among the dead. Revelation 2:7 speaks of Paradise as the restitution of an Edenic paradise, an everlasting home for believers (cf. Gen. 2 and Rev. 22). Keep Reading! This one-volume commentary is full of helpful notes and articles. Get your copy of the MacArthur Bible Commentary today and keep diving deeper into the Word!
Take a look at my Canva design!
Take a look at my Canva design! https://canva.me/iRlrnKw6Xqb
Click on the link above to see the original design, and when you download the app, you can start creating your own designs.
Half -Off! Moody Bible Commentary
Night Prayer: 1 John 2:27
In this passage, John tells us that anointing, i.e. the gifts, the Holy Spirit, etc., that He has given us stays with us. It teaches us. Now, that doesn’t mean that we don’t need Sunday school teachers or biblical instructors. If that were the case then Jesus would not have called on people to teach the Gospel. This is more an admonition that we need to stay away from false teachings. The Spirit in us alerts us to the truth. We carry within us the anointing that allows us to recognize the truth of the Gospel, even when it is being misrepresented. No one is so wise and holy that he has no need of Gospel ministry. If we hear someone say such a thing, or we see someone who thinks he is above being instructed by a Biblical teacher or minister, who thinks he “knows it all,” then that person shows proof that he has nothing of Christ or the Holy Spirit in him. We must be ever mindful not to get “too big for our britches” and think that we have learned all there is to learn about the Gospel.
Inspiration
Father, thank You for Your spirit which teaches me daily and thank You for the teachers You have put in my path to teach me Your truths. May Your anointing make me wise to the teachings of those who are false to You. Help me to discern the truth of the Gospel, no matter who is telling me. Let me not get caught up in titles and roles, but to be ever mindful of Your truth within me. Amen.
Prayer
Morning Prayer: Romans 3:9-10
Should we scour the whole face of the earth and cross all barriers of time to search through all the years of human history, in search of a righteous man, we should find none except for the Man Christ Jesus. Both Jews and Gentiles of every nation are fallen and sunk in sin to the point that there is “none who seeks after God” (verse 11). We cannot trust in the merits of mere men or in our own righteousness to be declared just in the courtroom of God.
God, help us to feel the force of that statement, “There is none righteous, no not one. ” Let us not think of it lightly, as if it meant, “No one’s perfect, but that’s no big problem after all. ” Far from it! Our sinful state required the blood of your dear Son before we could be made righteous in Him. Teach us, we pray, to walk in your righteous Law but to trust our eternity to a righteousness not our own (that of your Son). Amen.
Sunflowers are not alone in the world, they have friends just as we do. They grow together, or are arranged together to make the others not feel alone.
Who wants to be alone in this world without anyone to share life with? Who wants to live alone and not be happy? We all need someone to share life with. Be we married, single, or divorced, we all as the sunflowers deserve to be happy, full of life, vibrant, and free to do and be what we want to be. Having friends to do those things with makes life more worthwhile.
Until next time, stay safe. ©2022 L’Brea Aquaria
Sunflowers
Looking at sunflowers, who would have known that they turn towards the sun? They are so vibrant and yellow, and the brown in them stands out. We like sunflowers should turn our face to the Son who holds everything in His hands. When we look at the reality of things, we know that plants are living just as we are but in a different way. As they are beautiful, so are we. As God takes care of them and provide for them, He does the same thing for us.
Looking at sunflowers, we can enjoy the beauty of them just as we enjoy the beauty in all creation. There is beauty in the life we live. There is beauty all around us, we just have to find it.
Never stop looking for the beauty that surrounds us. It is in the sound of nature. It is in the sound of a baby crying. It is in the sound of the rain that falls from the sky. It is in the clouds that pass by. It is in the green grass that covers the ground. It is in the dirt that doesn’t make a sound. It is in the music that we listen to. It is in a laugh silently, or out loud. It is in the tears we cry. It is in our voice when we say goodbye to the ones we love. It is in the tears we cry. It is in love that is made. It is in our forevers, todays, yesterdays, tomorrows, and right nows.
It is in the breath that we take. It is in the friends that we make. Caress beauty because it is fleeting and sometimes even vane, but all in all, underneath we all are just the same. © June 2022 La’Brea Aquaria
Food for the Soul 