Thunder & Rain
One Year Bible (May 12)
I Samuel 12:1-13:23
Thunder & Rain
“Thunder only happens when it’s raining. You’ll know. You’ll Know. You’ll Know.” (Dreams by Fleetwood Mac)
For some odd reason, I always hear little clips of music in my head when I read something.
This is the tune for the day… If you have read today’s OT passage you know why I am hearing this little phrase in my head. Thunder and Rain are in the forecast for today for the Israelite people even though it is wheat harvest time, and it does not rain during this season.
Why does Judge Samuel ask the Lord to send thunder and rain on this particular day?
The response of the people to this spectacular thunder and rain tells me there must have been some pretty sharp lightning bolts! It says the people were TERRIFIED of the Lord and Samuel!!
Here is what the people say, “Pray to the Lord your God for us, or we will die!” They all said to Samuel. “For now, we have added to our sins by asking for a king.” (I Samuel 12: 19)
Why was the people’s pleading for a king a problem? “You wanted a king to reign over you, even though the Lord your God was already your king.” (12: 12)
Who can replace the Lord their God?
Samuel reminded them of all the judges that God had sent to them to deliver his message to the people, and who had also delivered the people from bondage. There had been Moses and Aaron, Gideon, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel; all had been sent to save them so that they could live in safety.
Even after the grand lightning and thunder show, Samuel again reaffirmed the people. “Don’t turn your back on God; He has never turned his back on you. He will not abandon you or dishonor His great name. Be faithful to your God!” Samuel ends by promising that he will ‘NOT SIN AGAINST God’ by not praying for the Israelite people.
He also issues a severe warning, “But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away.” (I Sam. 13: 9)
Samuel also advised Saul to wait for him for seven days and that he would come to him to prepare him for what the Lord wanted to do next. But Saul didn’t wait. He got impatient. Here is what Saul said, “The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I HAVEN’T EVEN ASKED FOR THE LORD’S HELP.”
Perhaps this sounds like a “Rookie Mistake” but look at the consequences of Saul’s actions.
“How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after HIS OWN HEART. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” (13:13-14)
How quickly the weather has changed! Just yesterday we were reading about how Samuel passed the torch to Saul and how the Spirit of God came mightily on Saul, despite the people’s rejection of God. Samuel was working with Saul and advising him in the ways of God.
We see that God gave Saul a “new heart” when he was chosen to be Israel’s first king.
What has happened during his time of being king that has prompted Saul to admonish that God will not establish his kingdom through Saul"? Well, The offering of sacrifices was a task for the priests. This was not Saul’s role. Secondly, Saul is not seeking God. Saul, himself reminds us, “I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help”.
Saul was given the strength, the heart, and the power of the Spirit by God. He was given the support, wisdom, and counsel of Samuel. What did he do with what he was given?
People Change. Remember? Not always for the better though…
How many times have we seen this in our journey together through the OT?
A bold start does not secure a bright future. Just ask Eli and a long list of others.
Perhaps, this is why we are instructed, “Choose you this day whom you will serve, but for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15) Yes, the Israelites received reminder after reminder from many leaders!
Eli’s sons did not whole-heartedly serve the God that their father served in the temple. Samuel, who watched this debauchery firsthand, did not convey this powerful message to his sons who accepted bribes and perverted justice. What a sad circle of life! Now, we have Saul, who is relying on his own power and strength.
What a powerful reminder to each of us today to seek God FIRST before we make decisions. We cannot take for granted that our faith will just be passed on to our children, or those that we wish to lead. How foolish to go before God and to make decisions rather than wait on Him.
Just look around at the world we live in that is making decisions without consulting God first. What about us? Are we consulting God before we act?
Thunder only happens when it’s raining…. You’ll know. You’ll know. You’ll know.
