Tragedy of Success

Spring of my Freshman year of High School Josh McDowell released a book titled, Givers, Takers, and Other kinds of Lovers. It was shortly released in Spanish under the title, The 3 Faces of Love, but retained the English title in later printings.

Rather than types of Lovers, as we look at the Scriptures today, I want you to consider different types of Leaders. Some give, some take, and others make all sorts of mistakes.

This week you will likely gather with family because of a document drafted 247 years ago. Europeans had migrated to this country, and the crown in England thought of the new territory as a source of taxes and tributes, without concern for the citizens.

Today’s Scripture shows us that King Saul made the same error that led to the fall of the Roman Empire, was repeated by King George III, and continues to this day in many organizations, businesses and governments.

Transition: When children, citizens or employees become a means to increase the comfort of a leader, strife ensues! When the servanthood of a leader becomes the entitlement of the leader, that leader is short-tenured!

The Plot (to consider)

God uses Jonathan Supernaturally (vv.14,23)

vv.6-7 are a beautiful example of servant leadership! Jonathan realizes that peace may be costly. He doesn’t wait for his Father to give it to him. He doesn’t wait for his Father to demand his contribution to safety. He shows initiative in risking himself for others (his nation) because he has GREAT FAITH in God’s ability to work through him.

This type of self-sacrifice is the type of leadership that inspires others to say, “I am with you heart and soul.”

I have never claimed that America has replaced the descendants of Abraham as God’s chosen people, but I am unashamedly patriotic and grateful to men and women who sacrificed themselves and their children for the cause of liberty. Those who sacrifice like Jonathan stir my heart to preserve what they purchased.

3. Jonathan’s faith in v.6 is rewarded in 10:1 efficiency in v.14 which multiplied in v.15, until a complete victory in v.23.

Saul didn’t know what was happening in his own Army (v.17)

While Jonathan is acting in faith and God is blessing his efforts, Saul is clueless back near Migron, shmoozing with a defrocked pretend priest.

You may have heard that there are those who make things happen, those who take credit for what happened, and those who wonder what happened. Saul is squarely in this 3rd group, wondering how he can join the “take credit” group.

2. He doesn’t even know how many are gone, much less who is in the raiding party until after reports of a victory start coming back.

Saul makes short-sighted reactions rather than wise responses (v.24)

The men are hard pressed (exhausted), but rather than speak encouragement in order to make them better, Saul pronounces a curse until “I am avenged on my enemies.”

I enjoy sports movies, but there are very few that I can name in a sermon because of language and other ancillary scenes that are not essential to the movie. I enjoy these movies because just below the action is a portrayal of character, determination, and integrity (or the lack thereof). I realize we have several examples of honorable coaches in several sports at all age levels here in the County, but one example pops to my mind because of a picture that was published just this last month, about the same time I rewatched a 1999 football movie in which a coach uses injections to sacrifice his players futures so that his winning record could continue. In contrast to that movie is a local example of a coach that his own colleagues admit players love to play for him, because he values them and wants to see them succeed.

2. Saul somehow turned the battle away from a chance to glorify God, away from a chance to give his men a victory, and made it into a matter of personal vanity.

3. Saul doesn’t think about the impact on the famished soldiers (v.31).

4. Saul doesn’t communicate his orders clearly so his own son is unaware (v.27)

5. Saul finds himself playing “catch-up” by building an altar AFTER the sin had occured.

Saul’s reign was marked by ongoing strife (v.52)

Vv.47-48 describes a series of battles that Saul led. While he was able to gain lesser victories, v.52 mentions that hard fighting continued until Saul’s last day.

Saul forgot the “we before me” idea and set an example of the “rules for thee, but not for me” mindset that continues to this day.

Transition: When a person is in the wrong place at the wrong time, it can lead to disaster. Most famously when kings were off to war, David was in the Palace and the Bathsheba fiasco occured. Photos of famous people in wrong places have ended several careers. And in today’s story I believe the snapshot of Saul exposes a scandal.

The Points (to remember)

The first half of v.2 could be a 3-point sermon in itself based upon the words pomegranate, cave & Migron. Let me give you enough information that you will leave with something you didn’t know when you arrived, without too much detail.

Some words are loaded with implied images without mentioning the image. For example, if I ask you “Do you like chips & salsa?” You most likely are thinking of tortilla chips (not potato chips or corn chips). And you are questioning how spicy the salsa is to determine if you like it or not. Likewise, when the Scripture mentions pomegranates, certain images pop into the mind of original readers that may not come into our 2023 American conscience.

Leading a War from the Warehouse (v.2)

The contrast between Jonathan invading a Philistine garrison and Saul by the pomegranate cave could not be more stark.

Much like we eat cake at a wedding as a symbol of something other than dessert, the Ancient Egyptians regarded the pomegranateas a symbol of prosperity and ambition.

In modern times, the pomegranate still holds strong symbolic meanings for the Greeks. When one buys a new home, it is conventional for a house guest to bring as a first gift a pomegranate, as a symbol of abundance, fertility, and good luck.

Numbers 13 – pomegranates were among the fruit brought back from Promised Land by the Spies

Ex 28 & 39 – pomegranates are particularly mentions in Temple decor

Frequency of pomegranates by word count is by far highest in Song of Solomon so many presume some passionate quality to the fruit

1 Kings 7 – pomegranates appeared in Solomon’s Temple.

Some SPECULATE that Pomegranate was the fruit that enticed Eve.

How do I get the idea that this may have been some sort of “warehouse”? it is from the words cave and Migron.

Migron may have been a place, but the word actually means “threshing floor”. Threshing floors (where grain was thrown in the air so the wind could take away the chaff) and pressing vats (where grapes were stomped or olives were pressed allowing the juice to drain off into jars) were frequently close to each other. A cave near the place of harvest would be like storage at the elevators.

The value of pomegranates was not primarily in the flesh or the seeds, but in the juice that was rendered.

In my mind’s eye I see a cool, shaded cave lined with barrels of wine, pomegranate juice, olive oil and grain for baking. It is the ultimate farm-table restaurant.

A clueless leader without God’s direction will only experience limited victories (vv.47,52)

Not only is Saul in a place of ample fresh foods while some of his soldiers are routing the Philistines, the people that Saul is listening to are defrocked pretend priests!

Saul had already disregarded Samuel and burned that bridge to hear from YHWH God. So as a substitute he finds a grandson of Eli who is costumed in religious garb. Remember Eli’s son’s headed down the path of corruption, which opened the door for Samuel to be trained in the Tabernacle back in 1 Sam 1.

Saul has ignored what Samuel told him. He has trusted his own judgment, he will consult with a fortune-teller in chapter 28 and here he is taking advice from pretend priests.

This sounds like modern politicians around the world who pay more attention to polls, pundits, and economists than to the precious Word of God.

4. How can he expect God’s blessing, if he doesn’t follow God’s instructions?

5. This is why our prayers become SO important for our leaders. If they won’t seek the advice of Scripture, it is even more important that we plead for God to provide them the wisdom to make decisions they are not looking for.

Transition: Living in a Palace without the influence of God is a miserable way to lead a people. But, few of us will ever be mayor, governor, congressman or President, so what can WE learn from this?

The Plan (to live out)

Our example speaks louder than our instructions.

Saul pronounced a curse on anybody who ate food before he got his victory. But Saul demonstrated in chapter 13 that he truly believed he could prioritize his own wishes over what had been commanded, then seek to make amends later.

The people follow his example (sin now, confess later) rather than obey what they know is commanded.

Do what I say, and not what I do. I’d never take health advice from a fat Doctor. I’d never take financial advice from a broke man. I’d never pay for classes from someone who can’t speak or spell correctly.

3. I’d never take spiritual advice from a man who claims to be something that he isn’t. I know that I have found grace in the work of Jesus Christ and I commend others to do the same. Don’t find your piety in me, find your forgiveness where I found it!

Selfless leaders provide for their team.

Saul thought his armies existed for His goals. But God’s call for you is that He provides all that you need to obtain the purpose for which you were created—eternal fellowship with Him!

One of the earliest names of God is Jehovah Jireh. It is commonly translated God Provides, But I did a word study on Jireh a couple months ago and discovered Jireh is more “appears” or “makes Himself present” rather than shipping out a remedy. When we need forgiveness for sin and rebellion, He BECOMES the atoning sacrifice!

Philippians 4:19 ESV:2016

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

3. The only limit to His provision is found in the riches in Christ Himself. This doesn’t say that He gives me what I want if I merely profess it, is says He gives me WHO I need—Christ Jesus!

2 Peter 1:3 ESV:2016

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

4. Rather than pawns to be used for His purpose (as Saul did), God has already deposited all the righteousness we need to dwell with Him in eternity because He himself already appeared (Jirehed) in person!

1 Peter 3:18 ESV:2016

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

5. The righteous stood in place of the unrighteous so that the unjust could be declared just!

Conclusion:

There is no leader on earth who could EVER do for you what Christ did for each of us. There is no President or King who offers hope greater than what God has already provided.

As you remember the rockets red glare and hear shells bursting in air, remember we have proof through the night that an empty Cross is still there.

John 8:36 ESV:2016

36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Song of Response #66... “To God Be the Glory”

Benediction: Revelation 1:5–6 (ESV) —...To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.