When God Isn't Enough
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· 54 viewsIsrael was not satisfied with God as their King and wanted an earthly king instead. Although warned of the results, they still sought a king. Is God enough for us?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
1. Since being led out of Egypt, Israel always struggled to rely on God.
They wanted to return to Egypt.
They crafted their own gods.
2. Once coming into Canaan, nothing much changed.
Isreal did not tear down the pagan altars as God had commanded them.
In fact, Israel was influenced by these pagan deities.
3. They fell into a terrible cycle of disobedience.
Israel would turn their backs on God.
God would punish Israel.
Israel would turn back to God.
God would raise a judge.
Israel would be delivered.
But it would not last.
4. Listen to what is said:
18 And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them.
19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way.
5. God was not enough for Israel. They wanted something different.
The Logic - 1 Samuel 8:1-5
The Logic - 1 Samuel 8:1-5
1. Samuel was growing old and appointed his sons as judges.
His sons, Joel and Abijah, were worthless men.
Their reputation can be likened to that of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas.
They were priests that served themselves rather than God.
12 Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord.
The sons of Samuel were not much different.
2. Israel did not want such worthless men judging over them.
Their concern is valid!
As a judge, Samuel had followed God.
Israel realized that Samuel’s sons did not follow that same path.
3. It’s mind-boggling that Israel demonstrated such foresight and short-sightedness at the same time.
5 and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
The first part of that statement is wise in nature.
You followed God, but your sons do not follow you. Nothing good will come from them leading us.
The second part of that statement is so foolish.
Where is the mention of God and having a leader that follows Him?
4. Instead of seeking God’s council, Israel came up with their own solution.
They sought a king that was representative of the nations around them.
They had been charged to eliminate the nations around them!
Israel had seen many of those nations fall by the hand of God.
5. The logic Israel used was faulty.
They were relying on the physical and temporal for guidance and strength.
6. Do we use the same faulty logic?
The Lamentation - 1 Samuel 8:6-8
The Lamentation - 1 Samuel 8:6-8
Put yourselves in the position of Samuel.
His sons are not fit to lead because they do not follow God.
Samuel did not challenge their claim!
But their unfaithfulness is a mark against Samuel.
Samuel should have intervened.
Now God’s people are turning farther away from God in desiring an earthly king.
2. Samuel was displeased (“to feel a violent irritation”) about the request of Israel.
But Samuel responded in the proper way. He did what Israel should have done to begin with.
Samuel prayed to God.
3. The response God gives to Samuel is heart wrenching.
7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.
To reject is to “refuse or despise.”
God KNEW the cause for Israel’s request; they did not want Him.
8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also.
God had been with Israel much longer than Samuel.
As said at the beginning, since coming out of Egypt Israel had difficulty serving God.
4. Samuel was lamenting that Israel wanted an earthly king.
5. God was lamenting that Israel never wanted Him.
Do we realize that our unfaithfulness causes God to lament; causes Him sorrow?
The Liabilities - 1 Samuel 8:9-22
The Liabilities - 1 Samuel 8:9-22
We see the demonstration of God’s permissive will.
He is going to grant Israel their request but warms them of what would follow.
2. God tells them exactly how a king that’s patterned after the pagan nations will behave.
Force their sons into military service and hard labor.
Force their daughters into palace service.
Take from their harvest and flocks for his own use.
Take their servants and make them his.
3. The king that Israel desires will not be a father-figure.
Israel is going to suffer.
4. This suffering is going to culminate in Israel regretting their decision, but the damage will already have been done.
5. Thus ends the warning.
Let’s examine this from both sides.
Israel has just heard with certainty how their request will play out.
Like telling your children, ‘don’t do that’.
They have to decide whether to listen or not.
God has just revealed what will happen.
He isn’t forcing them into a decision.
Those with any sense would say, “Let’s not go that route.”
Not Israel. They state emphatically, “No.”
6. Notice the following:
19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us,
Remember when God told Samuel, “they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me?”
In refusing to obey Samuel, they were refusing to obey God.
7. Although knowing the outcome, Israel decided to follow their own logic.
8. God wasn’t enough for them.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Listen to this final discourse:
19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us,
20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the Lord.
22 So the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.” And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.”
2. Paul said:
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
3. Is God enough for us?
By using our own logic, if we conclude that He is not enough, only suffering will follow.
If He is enough, then why not submit to His will?