Do or Die? It's Done, Now Live! - 1 Samuel, Part 22

1 Samuel 12:1–25 (ESV)

As noted in my previous Blog, Saul hits his high-water mark.  He shows exceptional leadership.  It is not certain, nor the place known, where Chapter 12 takes place, but now there is the beginning of the end. Samuel the judge of Israel is now transitioning the nation to their chosen destiny with a kingdom.  This is neither a retirement ceremony nor is he relinquishing his duty.  It is a transitional speech. “And now, behold, the king walks before you . . ..”^[1]

The first part of the speech is intended to release Samuel from any wrongdoing.  After asking some leading questions the nation responded: “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man’s hand.”^[2]

The next part of the speech absolves God Himself of any wrongdoing.  Instead of God being held in disapproval, the nation itself is condemned. In view of their desire to have their own human king; and now that this is accomplished, Samuel calls them to obedience to God. “If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.” (1 Samuel 12:14, ESV).

As a sign of God’s displeasure, God sent them a sign, an unusual flash flood during a dry season. “and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.  And all the people said to Samuel, ^‘Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.’”^[3]  Samuel comforted the people and reminded them, from this day forward to not “turn aside” from following God. “And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.” (1 Samuel 12:21, ESV).  Then Samuel said these two things of comfort:

1. “The Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself;”^[4]  and

2. “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.”^[5]

Samuel then ended his speech with this exhortation: “Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”” (1 Samuel 12:24–25, ESV). The fate of this nation and its king hinges on being faithful to their covenant God.

There is an obvious and troubling problem in this story.  God said to Israel, “For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself” (1 Samuel 12:22, ESV); but then Samuel warns the people: “But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”” (1 Samuel 12:25, ESV).  These verses represent the blessings and curses sections that were part of ancient suzerainty covenants. This is a clear reminder of the blessings-and-curses terminology of Deuteronomy which is summarized by this verse: ““But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you” (Deuteronomy 28:15, ESV).

This is God’s demand on the nation of Israel: obey and be blessed; disobey and perish.  In this scenario of the Mosaic covenant, it is clearly conditional.  God will bless upon perfect obedience.  Who can perform such perfection?  Who can possibly be perfect enough to guarantee God’s blessing?  Answer? No one.  But then we read this words in Deuteronomy 29:4 (ESV),

“⁴ But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.” 

And in Chapter 30 we read: “And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:6, ESV).

What is not stated in 1 Samuel 12 is stated here in the Deuteronomic Covenant. In order to fulfill the demands of God, God Himself must initiate a change of heart within the individual. The Apostle Paul interprets Deuteronomy 30:11–14, in Romans 10:6-8 to show that this righteousness demanded by God can only be achieved by faith in Jesus Christ, not based on the Law. Paul interprets Deuteronomy 30 as fulfilled by Christ.  By extension Samuel’s speech to the nation can only be fulfilled by Christ.

When we read Samuel’s speech we should tremble.  If we obey, we will be blessed.  If we disobey, we will be cursed.  But we are all sinners by nature and by choice.  How does one find comfort in such demands? The answer is found by having faith in Jesus Christ who is our righteousness.

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:21–26, ESV)

There’s our comfort!  There’s the Gospel!

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 12:2). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 12:4). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 12:18–19). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 12:22). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 12:23). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Words of Greeting - A Reminder of Inability

As previously noted in a recent Blog of mine, I find great encouragement from the ‘greetings’ part of the apostolic letters and wish to pass on that encouragement to you.  In this Blog I draw your attention to Paul’s Letter to the Churches in Galatia.  This very well might have been his first inspired letter.  You will find it HERE.

I won’t go into a long introductory, historical background.  If you know where Turkey is today, you will know the area that these churches resided in.  Paul’s message to these churches is not to listen to the false teachers promoting a Christianized version of Judaism that denies justification by faith alone in Christ.  He also shows these churches that joyous impact of the Gospel on their everyday life.

There are various types of apostles, some commissioned by the local church as sent messengers or missionaries.  Paul’s not that type.  He is an apostle commissioned through Jesus Christ and God the Father.  Why such designation? If Jesus is God, why not just write “from God” or “from Jesus”?  And why emphasize that it was God who raised Jesus?  I think this is all adding weight to Paul’s letter.  He is writing upon the authority of the risen Savior and the God of all.  There’s no difference in opinion within the Godhead, nor in the company that Paul is with.  All agree.  This is unanimous.  There is no dissension.

Familiar with these greetings in the bestowal of grace and peace.  These blessings come from God. Morality and religion that is expressed by the Judaizers is of self-effort and self-promotion.  Grace is nullified by human ingenuity. The blessings of grace and peace are in fact a reminder of our sinful, destitute situation.

These blessings come, as the Apostle, from God and Jesus. This is the Jesus whom God raised from the dead.  Further stated, this is the Jesus that gave himself to die. This is the Jesus who died that all our sins be paid for.  This is the Jesus who died to deliver us from the evil and present age.  And this sacrifice by Jesus was ultimately done so that God be glorified.

The grace, the saving and enabling power to be saved and live as a saved person; the peace that brings acceptance to the Father – are gifted to us because Christ died freeing us from the guilt of sin and the power of sin.  And mankind can take not an ounce of credit in this merciful action.  It is all for the glory of God.

So, whether it is these Judaizers, or any other philosophy or movement, none can claim any self-righteousness or commendation.  It is all by grace for God’s glory.  The atonement for sin and the power of sin has been dealt with through Christ.  There can not be one single minute effort by any human being to make absolution for sin; and not one single iota of effort can minimize sin’s power apart from the death and resurrection of Christ.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

If sin’s guilt is cancelled; if sin’s power is broken; if the captive is free; and if the foulest sin is clean, what is there left for religion to accomplish?  Nothing! 

It is only faith and faith alone that pleases God, for it is only faith that gives Him the glory. 

A Need for Righteous Anger - 1 Samuel, Part 21

1 Samuel 11:1–15 (ESV)

This historical event describes the circumstance whereby Saul is accepted and acclaimed as king. This is a high-water point in Saul’s life.  Nahash the king of the Ammonites[1] attacked Jabesh-gilead and refused to accept surrender unless all the Israelites captured allowed their eyes to be gouged out.  The elders of the city of Jabesh asked for a 7-day reprieve. During this time, they would look for someone to save them.

Saul heard of their plight and we read that “the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled” (1 Samuel 11:6, ESV).  He slaughtered a yoke of oxen cutting them in pieces, threatening the oxen of any Israelite the same fate if they did not help save their brothers.

News was sent to the captives and the expected deliverance came. The Israelite army struck down the Ammonites.

Saul’s military success prompted some people to threaten his naysayers[2].  But Saul’s leadership protected even those who were against him.  “Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly” (1 Samuel 11:14–15, ESV).  It seems that this “renewal of the kingdom” was a public reaffirmation of Saul’s kingship.  The establishment of the king reunited Israel.

All in all, this is a highlight of Saul’s leadership. His decisive and persuasive way that he mounted the support for his fellow Israelites at Jabesh-gilead is admirable.  He reflects a godly and righteous response to the predicament of his fellowmen, i.e., anger. He soon let Israel know that he had the will and the power to respond to a crisis.  Even his persuasion was couched in the value of human life.  He could have exacted capital punishment on any refusal to fight, but he levied the threat against the oxen not the owner.  He offered clemency to his opponents.  His call to worship at Gilgal was a worthy way to give the glory to God. “For today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel,”^[3] he said.

Again, here we see Saul at his best, filled with the Spirit of God, filled with righteous anger to the oppression and endangerment of his kindred.  This is godly masculine leadership at its best: Decisive; Spirit-filled; Convincing; Courageous; Caring; and God-glorifying.

There is an anger that is right and good. We call it righteous anger. It’s the anger we ought to experience when our family is threatened.  It’s the anger we ought to experience when sin assaults our home.  It’s the anger we ought to feel when a lack of justice and compassion is withheld from people we care about. Indeed, the Scriptures teach us: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” (Ephesians 4:26, ESV).  It would serve our churches and our homes well to have godly Spirit-filled compassionate men lead with righteous anger.

Tim Challies[4] reviews a book called Uprooting Anger, by Robert Jones.  In this book, Challies, notes 3 ways to identify righteous anger:

1. The first mark of righteous anger is that it reacts against actual sin. It arises from an accurate perception of what is actually evil. Righteous anger reacts against actual sin, not a violation of my desires or preferences.

2.  Righteous anger is motivated by Godward and biblically-informed concerns . . . Jones says it well: Righteous anger throbs with kingdom concerns.

3. Finally, righteous anger is accompanied by other godly qualities and expresses itself in godly ways . . . But righteous anger expresses itself in a controlled way. It does not rant and rave, it does not swear and curse, it does not mock and sulk, it does not sink to self-pity and despair, it does not blow off people and storm away from them. 

This account is Saul at his best. It also epitomizes a godly man at his best: decisive, daring, compassionate and forgiving, yet expressing outrage at sin; and acting in protection of God’s people and for the purposes of God.

Today, as in any day, there is a need for godly men to stand in righteous anger against sin.

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[1] According to Genesis 19:36–38, the Ammonites originated from the incestuous relationship between Lot (Abraham’s nephew) and his younger daughter, resulting in the birth of Ben-ammi (בֶּן־עַמִּי, ben-ammiy, “son of my people”).  - Hulbert, W. G. (2016). Ammon, Kingdom of. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

[2] “But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.” (1 Samuel 10:27, ESV)

^[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 11:13). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[4] https://www.challies.com/christian-living/3-marks-of-righteous-anger/

Words of Greeting to The Called

Words of Greeting in New Testament Letters

Our New Testament has 21 documents that are essentially letters. These inspired letters accommodated the normal writing conventions of the day. They usually begin with a greeting which tells us who wrote the letter and to whom it was written. There is often a blessing and/or prayer followed by some form of thanksgiving. Once the letter is completed, the author will end with a concluding statement and farewell.

The purpose of this study is to examine them within their grammatical framework.  Why?  Simply put, my experience has shown me that we miss a tremendous encouragement if we skip over the Holy Spirit inspired greetings written by the New Testament authors.   I start with Jude for no other reason other than it has been such a huge blessing to me.  One of the things that will differ from my normal study methods is that I will spend little to no time on the cultural or historical background.  Our task will be simply to look carefully at the greeting

“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” (Jude 1–2, ESV)

1Jude a [humble] bond slave of Jesus Christ and a brother to James [the Apostle and Church Leader, writing with his authority], to [the] effectually called and come in faith in Christ Jesus, these ones loved by the Father (or in the Father) and are kept by (or for) Jesus Christ. 2May all the virtues you need (mercy, peace and love) be experienced by you in increased measure.

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we often identify ourselves as Christians, or disciples of Jesus.  We may, as Jude does, identify ourselves as “servants of Christ Jesus”.  The New Testament also refers to us as “The Called”.   When Paul wrote the Christians in Rome he referred to them as “you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,” (Romans 1:6, ESV).  John writes in the Revelation “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”” (Revelation 17:14, ESV).

In 1 Corinthians 1:22–24 (ESV), Paul writes,

“²² For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

“We preach Christ crucified,” he writes.  Everyone hears the Gospel, but to some Jesus is just a foolish concept.  But to “The Called”, He is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

What a blessing to be called, The Called. The Called are beloved by the Father, kept for the Son.  The Called are the chosen and the faithful.  The Called see the glory of God in the face of Christ.  The Called are bequeathed all the grace necessary to their calling. 

The Church is Christ’s own Body,

The Father’s dwelling-place,

The gathering of the called ones,

God blended with man’s race;

Elect before creation,

Redeemed by Calv’ry’s death

Her character and standing

Of heaven, not of earth.

-          - Witness Lee

Wrongful Resting in Concurrence - 1 Samuel, Part 20

We read in the previous account that God prepared Samuel to choose Saul as the human king of Israel. “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel . . . When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you”” (1 Samuel 9:16–17a, ESV).  Saul is now presented as king.

1 Samuel 10:17–27 (ESV)

The difficulties of explaining God’s holy and sovereign work among responsible human agents given a mind and a will is a difficult topic to wrap one’s head around.  Theologians explain it in a category called The Doctrine of Concurrence.  As you can see by the word concur, this is an attempt to show how the sovereign will of God and the will of man can both operate at the same time.  “In essence, concurrence says that two or more parties can act in the same event and produce a given outcome without all parties having the same intent.”[1] Concurrence helps explain how God can ordain evil and not be guilty of sin; and God can ordain evil and judge the evildoers and not be guilty of injustice. The event is the same but the purpose is different.  This is the theology behind the events at Mizpah.

“But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands. . . “And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”” (1 Samuel 10:19, 24, ESV)

Perhaps Saul should have listened to his timidity of accepting this new position.  Saul’s hiding among baggage is really an insight into the character of the man.  He probably is less humble and more in keeping with what we will observe in his leadership: fearful and insecure.  There is a huge difference between humble confidence and fearful insecurity.   Once Saul is presented to the people as king, Samuel reminded the people of the regulations governing the conduct of kings according to Deuteronomy 17:14–20; and then we read these words: “Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home.”^[2] That’s the second time we read words like this^[3].  There is no more to be said.  It is fait accompli.  The lot has been cast.  The decision has been made.

As I read these words I recall the finality of these words recorded by John: “Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him . . . after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.” (John 13:27–30, ESV).   One of the most presumptuous things we can do is to assume God’s merciful sovereign grace. The Doctrine of Concurrence affords us the hope that our wrong decisions may be turned for the good in the kind will of God.  But that belong to His secret counsel.  Many people (even Christians) forget that there can be finality to the will of God, also.  “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever . . . (Genesis 6:3a, NASB95).  It is a fearful thing when people lean on grace to support willful sin.

The inspired author ends this passage with this observation: “But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.” (1 Samuel 10:27, ESV).  Their intentions were dishonoring, but their question remains: “How can this man save us?”  He cannot.   Israel will need to learn the profound lesson: “Salvation belongs to the Lord . . . ” (Psalm 3:8a, ESV)

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[1] https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/divine-concurrence/

^[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 10:25). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 8:22). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Revelation 3:20, It's Time to Stop Misusing This!

It sure would be pleasant to hear Revelation 3:20 used properly.  There is no excuse to misuse the Bible.  We don’t accept it in other activities, nor should we accept it when dealing with God’s Holy Word.  Revelation 3:20 (ESV) reads this way:

“20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Now here is how we hear this used.  The booklet, tract or evangelist is seeking to present the Gospel to an unsaved person.  The implication is this: Jesus is knocking on your heart’s door.  You have the choice. We invite you to open the door of your heart.  The handle is on the inside.  If you open your heart, He will come into your heart and save you.  You will then be on your way to Heaven.

First of all, let’s commend the zeal, the earnestness of the evangelist or booklet.  Calling people to trust Christ is the right thing. “As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”[1]   Many times we share the Gospel and we rarely say it perfectly.  Let’s honor the faithful witnesses who try.  But using Revelation 3:20 is not the solution.

John is writing to the Church at Laodicea.  They were lukewarm and failed to think they needed anything. This is a letter of discipline. “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:19, ESV).  They are clearly loved by the Lord.  This is a believing Church desperately in need of revival.  Christ now extends His hands of love to this congregation that they might be renewed in their relationship with Christ, which the claim to have.

Students of this apocalyptic literature know that John borrows extensively from the Old Testament.  That is the Scriptures that these believers had.  The call to open the door to renewed fellowship is an uncanny resemblance to the forsaken lover in the Song of Solomon.  Note the similarity:

Song of Solomon 5:2 (ESV)	Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
2 I slept, but my heart was awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking. “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one, for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.”	20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

The lover had made ready for the night. “I had put off my garment; how could I put it on? I had bathed my feet; how could I soil them?” (Song of Solomon 5:3, ESV).  How inconvenient! This is an invitation, not to wed, but an invitation to restore a fractured relationship.  In other words, this is not a call to the unconverted, but to the converted who have allowed something to strain the intimacy of the relationship with Christ.  Dr. Beale writes,

“The allusion to Cant. 5:2 points to a focus on renewal of a relationship, since there the husband knocks on the door of the bedchamber to encourage his wife to continue to express her love to him and let him enter, but she at first hesitates to do so. By analogy, Christ, the husband, is doing the same thing with regard to his bride, the church.”[2]

Not only should we accurately portray the participants, that is, they are Christians in desperate need of repentance and renewal, but this is addressed to a Church, not primarily an individual.  This is pastors, elders, leaders and congregants of a Church that have become indifferent and didn’t know it; who have lacked discernment and were unaware of it; and who have failed to be a testimony in their workplaces and community.   “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7, ESV).

So let’s agree to stop using Revelation 3:20 evangelistically.  Aside from the fact that no unregenerate person can open the door of their hearts; and we rely on the Spirit to do that, the context reveals that this is an invitation to move past a previously strained love relationship and it is a call to a Church to quit kidding themselves.

“To the one who opens the door, Christ will come in and will eat with him, a picture of close personal fellowship.”[3]

  

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 10:15). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[2] Beale, G. K. (1999). The book of Revelation: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 308). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.

[3] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2469). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Heart of the Matter - 1 Samuel, Part 19

1 Samuel 9:15–10:16 (ESV)

As Saul and his servant approach Ramah, they found the prophet Samuel, whom the Lord had prepared. “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel . . . When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you”” (1 Samuel 9:16–17a, ESV).

Note a couple things at the outset. The events described in the previous blog were clearly orchestrated by the Lord.  He “sent” Saul to Samuel.  Secondly, note the purpose for God’s ordination of Saul for kingship: “He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.”^[1] This echoes Joseph’s understanding of his exile in Egypt.  Note: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20, ESV).  Clearly Israel’s choice of a human king was for evil; God chose it for redemptive purposes.

The Story

Samuel reveals that Kish’s donkeys are safe.  The discussion turns to Saul’s kingship. Saul is surprised at Samuel’s plan to anoint him king. “Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way”” (1 Samuel 9:21, ESV)?   Samuel showed great hospitality to Saul and the next morning, in the absence of Saul’s servant, Samuel communicated God’s will to him.  We read that “Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies.” (1 Samuel 10:1a ESV).  Samuel also told Saul of signs that would confirm this calling of God.  The first sign authenticated the finding of the donkeys.  The second sign was the meeting of three men that will bring him offerings. A procession of prophets will be the third sign. Saul himself will experience a Spirit-induced prophetic expression with these prophets.  Samuel says, “Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you” (1 Samuel 10:7, ESV).  Samuel then told Saul to wait in Gilgal until he comes to sacrifice.

Then we read: “When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day.” (1 Samuel 10:9, ESV)

On returning home Saul’s uncle as about what happened and what Samuel had said.  Saul only communicated the matter regarding the donkeys, not the “kingdom”. 

From the communication of special knowledge given to Samuel from God to the private anointing ceremony with oil, to the new heart given to Saul after this anointing, to the sign that included the company of prophets whereby Saul experienced a special experience of the Spirit – all this gives us evidence to the Holy Spirit’s work in the Old Testament.

The Heart of Saul

This account of Saul’s life raises some important theological issues, particularly issues in relation to the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament.  A question that takes us to an important concern is, “Was Saul saved?”  At the outset let me say that we do not know.  In 1 Samuel 10:9a (ESV), we read, “When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart.”  Literally, “God changed him for another heart.”   The promise of Saul (“Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.” (1 Samuel 10:6, ESV)) “to be turned into another man” sounds a lot like “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV). But is it?

The problem is that this "new-heartedness" stands in stark contrast to Saul’s life.  We will learn that Saul’s legacy will be a record of jealousy, hatred, and murder; his kingship characterized by failure and rebellion[2]. His end is judgment and suicide.  The Bible indicates that the evidence of a new heart is quite different than this:

1. The natural, carnal heart cannot understand God. “But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.” (Deuteronomy 29:4, ESV)

2. A circumcised heart is required in order to love God. “And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:6, ESV)

3. A new heart is a heart whereby God overcomes the rebellion bringing into reality an obedient heart. “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” (Ezekiel 36:26–27, ESV)

4. A new heart is a heart that delights to do God’s will. “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33, ESV) (cf: Romans 7:21)

5. A new heart fears God and will never turn away from Him. “I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.” (Jeremiah 32:39–40, ESV)

The first letter of John gives us more insight into the new heart.  For example: “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.” (1 John 3:9, ESV)

I would find it quite difficult to believe that Saul displayed the fruit of a new heart.  Yet there are others who woefully sinned against God, men like Samson and David himself.  Yet these men find the commendation of the New Testament.  Saul never does. 

So what was this heart that God gave to Saul?  I believe Saul had no “heart” for kingship.  He felt inadequate for starters (1 Samuel 9:21 (ESV)). When Samuel was to publicly proclaim Saul’s leadership, “he could not be found . . . he has hidden himself among the baggage.”^[3]  I think his new heart was simply a heart to accept and take the kingship. Like New Testament elders, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” (1 Timothy 3:1, ESV), there ought to be an inner desire.

So, the matter of salvation is ultimately known to God.  But God clearly called Saul to be king of Israel and equipped him with a heart to serve in that capacity and the enabling grace of the Spirit to help him. Unfortunately, when he compromised his calling, the Spirit of God was taken away from him.  Leaving the issue of regeneration aside, Christian leaders can forfeit their ministry and have God’s anointing withdrawn.  David was fearful of that (“Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11, ESV)).  Churches can also lose their effective presence in the community when they neglect what is important (Revelation 2:5).

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 9:16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[2] “He directly disobeyed God (1 Samuel 15:1–35) and broke God’s law by offering a sacrifice that only priests were to offer (1 Samuel 13:1–14). Saul was visited by evil spirits on several occasions (1 Samuel 16:14; 18:10; 19:9). Saul spent much time and energy trying to murder David (1 Samuel 18:10; 19:10; 23:14); he even tried to murder his son Jonathan once (1 Samuel 20:33). Incredibly, King Saul ordered the slaughter of eighty-five innocent priests and their families (1 Samuel 22:18–19). He consulted a witch and asked her to conjure Samuel up from the dead—another direct violation of God’s Law (1 Samuel 28:1–20). Saul ended his life by committing suicide (1 Samuel 31:4).” - https://www.gotquestions.org/was-King-Saul-saved.html

^[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 10:21–22). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.