We are in week 2 of the summer series on the shimmering points of scripture. This past week I focused in on The reading of 1 Samuel. This is where the Prophet Samuel, has departed from Saul and is grieving over him being rejected king. Then he is commanded by God to anoint a new king over Israel, that being David.
The first thing that stood out for me was how Samuel had departed from Saul never to see him again. When we are told that Samuel was at his home in Ramah and grieving over the loss of Saul, I could not help but think of an old man sitting at home and pouting over the way things used to be. He is grieving over what once was but can never be again, but also grieving over what the future may hold and the fact that everything he knew was coming undone. How many times do we in the church look back on the good ol' days, and grieve over the fact that they are no more? Can we stop trying to recreate what was and allow God to create something new?
Second God does intervene. God has one more thing for Samuel to do, and that is to anoint the new king. Now there is lots going on here in the passage, but what stood out for me was, the fact that when Samuel saw Jesse's oldest son, Eliab, Samuel immediately assumed he was the one. But God says that Eliab was rejected and that Samuel is not seeing as God sees. The Hebrew word Ra'a plays an important role here in terms of the king that God will show to Samuel. How Samuel sees and how God sees are two different things.
David, the youngest one who is not even of mature age yet, is the one God wants. How do we see things, as God sees them, or as we want God to see them? It was pointed out in the service, that we often look to those with experience or the people we know, rather than bringing new energy and life by asking someone new to serve. It was also pointed out that we may choose who we want even though the person may have no qualifications or gifts for that particular kind of work.
Thirdly the anointed one or messiah is not who Samuel, Jesse, or anyone expected. David is the youngest and is not mature enough to even be with his father Jesse, or his brothers yet. He is tending the sheep, doing the grunt work that young boys did. But David is who God wants, even though it is not who we would expect God to want. Likewise, Jesus was who God sent as the ultimate Messiah who would redeem the world for all time. He was not who anyone expected, but he is the one God sent. It was also pointed out in the service, that while there is judgment in the rejection of Saul, God's grace comes in the appointing of a new king in the person of David. This continues as a pattern, that when Israel or it's leaders turn away, and face the judgment for their actions, God's grace is always the final answer, leading up to the grace made fully known in Christ.
Finally, when all is said and done, Samuel goes home. He is not heard from again. He has done his final job, and anointed a new king just as he did with Saul anointing him as the first king. But then he steps off the stage and the next generation is about to begin it's work in shaping Israel and fulfilling God's purpose. How many times in the church are we willing to step aside when it is time and let others take over? Are we working with and teaching others who will be prepared to take over at the appropriate time? Or are we holding on to what we think is ours even though we may no longer be effective, or our modes outdated for ministry in today's world? It is really not ours to begin with, but it is Gods. Samuel has done his service and now steps out of the way to allow what will be new to grow to it's full potential.
Well that's it for this week. Check back next time to see what shimmers for us. In the meantime, I welcome your comments and additions also.
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