The Test To Trust God’s Word pt1

The Test To Trust God’s Word

I. Introduction

1. Pre-introduction

2. Catch- Pastor John Knox of Scotland was a man who feared no one

i. After the queen of Scotland died, her daughter, Mary, queen of scotts came to the throne

1. She had been living in Catholic France So even though Scotland’s Parliament made the nation Protestant, Knox and others feared she might marry a catholic prince and return the country to the Pope

2. So he preached hard and didn’t care what anyone thought

3. returned as the rightful monarch of Scotland, though young and widowed.

ii. As the account goes, she was furious when she saw him and vented, “I cannot be quit of you. I avow to God, I shall be once revenged.” But then she burst into hysterical tears. This eighteen-year-old queen, in the presence of late-forties Knox, wept so long and so loudly that her page boy ran to find her some handkerchiefs.

iii. It was awkward, to say the least, as Knox stood waiting for her to finish. Once she calmed down he said a few more words, concluding, “I am no master of myself, but must obey him who commands me to speak plain and to flatter no flesh upon the face of the earth” (181).

iv. The words of God must command us more than anything

3. Review of the book

i. Remember chapter 12 was Samuel’s final moment as leader in Israel

ii. He was passing the reigns to Saul, but reminding them

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. 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king.

iii. He was still God’s prophet… and God’s word still had to be obeyed since in Israel, the king wasn’t supreme, God was

iv. So, Saul passed the test of fighting King Nahash of the Ammonites but now he must face a bigger test…. The fear of his own people

Prop: A test of faith requires trust in God’s word… which Saul fails.

II. Body of Lesson

1. Background: we can trust the bible (v1-2)

i. Saul’s reign and the textual issues

1. Bible study tip: When you compare good translations and they come up differently… you know something is up

1 Saul lived for one year and then became king, and when he had reigned for two years over Israel,0% difference

1 Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty two years over Israel.56% difference

1 Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign; he ruled over Israelfor forty years.75% difference

1 Saul was thirty years old when hebecame king, and he reigned forforty-two years.50% difference

1 Saul was thirty years old when hebecame king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.56% difference

1 Saul was a young man when he began as king. He was king over Israel for manyyears.76% difference

1 Saul reignedone year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,28% difference

2. So where does this come from?

a. Our major source is the Masoretic text and it says something funny

i. The MT does not have “thirty.” A number appears to have dropped out of the Hebrew text here, since as it stands the MT (literally, “a son of a year”) must mean that Saul was only one year old when he began to reign!

ii.

b. The KJV, attempting to resolve this, reads “Saul reigned one year,” but that is not the normal meaning of the Hebrew text represented by the MT.

c. Most LXX manuscripts do not include this verse. The Hebrew has “one year old” as opposed to “thirty years old.” This reading is corrupt. The Syr. reads “twenty-one years old” in place of “thirty years old.”

d. in v. 2 Jonathan was old enough to be a military leader, some scholars prefer to supply in v. 1 the number forty (cf. ASV, NASB).

e.

f. Then there is how long he reigned for

i. The MT has “two years” here. If this number is to be accepted as correct, the meaning apparently would be that after a lapse of two years at the beginning of Saul’s reign, he then went about the task of consolidating an army as described in what follows (cf. KJV, ASV, CEV

ii. According to Saul reigned for forty years. Some English versions (e.g., NIV, NCV, NLT), taking this forty to be a round number, add it to the “two years” of the MT and translate the number in as “forty-two years.”

3. Why is this not a big problem?

a. Some people will look at different translations of the bible and say “ha! The bible we have it totally corrupted”

b. Does the bible promise miraculous preservation?

i. Some, like KJV only people, will point to passages likes

- The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever.

*If you read the context- they are talking about God’s promises from v5 to protect his people

ii. So, no… God does not use miracles to keep his bible the same

iii. But God uses men to preserve scripture

God used a man to preserve the word; God was involved, but He did not intercede supernaturally to reconstitute the book from the ashes.

➢ “Take again another scroll and write on it all the former words that were on the first scroll which Jehoiakim the king of Judah burned.”

➢ Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. [i]

iv. Therefore, there are some problem passages like this one which do not match

v. At least 95% of the variants are insignificant, like spelling, word order.

c. Most passages agree

i. When the Dead Sea scrolls (written 200bc t- 70AD) were found, 95% agreement existed with the MT

ii. And 99% agreement with the En-Gedi scroll written in 3rd-4th century

iii. There is so much accurate textual transmission

iv. Why? This was the process

1. Show slides

4. 3 major solutions

a. There is textual corruption

i. is to assume that something has been lost in the scribal transmission of the text

ii. Sometimes when making copies, numbers can be dropped out

iii. They are some of the hardest to copy

b. The original writer meant to leave it out

i. the editor who put 1 and 2 Samuel into their final forms may not have known how old Saul was or how long he reigned, and thus left the text blank until he could find records to supply the information

c. The original writer meant it as it says

i. the expression “son of a year,” which is normally translated as “one year old,” could mean “at a certain age

ii. that it had been a year since Saul’s anointing when the events of chapter 13 took place

iii. the 2 years is thus the length of his recognized reign by Yahweh until David replaces him as the choosen king (yet, that seems to be said even here)

Why does this all matter?

Because what does Satan tempt Eve with?

. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

This matters so that we can trust the bible

Trans: So once we believe the bible… what does it say?

ii. Saul’s reign and the standing army

1. In the past, a judge would always call forth an army to come and defend Israel

2. But now Saul choosed 3 thousand to be with him at Michmash

a. Show map

b. Here is a picture of it today in the hill country

3. Another thousand go with Jonathan

a. We know that this is the son of Saul, but not from reading the text yet

b. He gathers them in Gibeah

Trans: We believe the bible and the test is set

2. Beginning problem: (V3-5)

i. Jonathan fights the Philistines at Geba

1. Jonathan then boldly takes his troops to Geba where the philisitens have a garrison

2. Even though Samuel had brought security from the Philistines

- So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

3. They still had a significant presence

4. Saul had been given the task to saving the people from their enemies (10:1) So he finally starts to

a. Jonathan is serving his father, so whatever he does, his father gets the credit or blame for

b. But it is interesting that Saul is closer here in Michmash… whith more troops, but he doesn’t go

c. In ch 14 we will see it is Jonathan that defeats the Philistines & Saul appears unable to wisely get the people to fight

d. So, even though the people have a king to fight their battles… it is his son who is doing the fighting

5. Jonathan has either defeated a major fortress, or just killed the commander there (depending on the translation)

a. Either way, it is a serious blow to the Philistines

6. So Saul blows a trumpet, thus calling all Israel, including those sent home in v2 to battle

ii. The Philistines & Israelites gather to fight

1. V4- All Israel listens to Saul having heard that it was Saul who defeated the Philistines

a. We know he did not

b. But he would have gotten the credit of his son’s mission

2. The people knew that the Philistines were angry affirming that Philistia would muster her troops to fight Israel[ii]

a. Similar phrase is used in

- and they said to them, “The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”

b. So they gather at Gilgal

iii. But the Philistines far outnumber

1. They gather with 30k chariots

a. 6 thousand horsemen

b. And troops like the sand

c. (while these numbers seem huge, it makes sense as they controlled the flight coastal region that was a major connection between Asia and Africa)

d. This King Saul was a major threat to them

2. They all camped here at Michmash

Trans: the story continues to escalate

3. The problem gets worse (V6-7)

i. The Hebrews were terrified because of the large numbers

1. “they were in trouble”

a. They suddenly realize that a king isn’t good enough to solve their problem

b. So they hid themselves in large caves like this

c. Or a cistern is a large hole used as a reservoir for water

ii. The Hebrews flee because of the large numbers

1. They take off running, out of Geba, past Michmash and across the Jordan river

2. The river was mostly covered on both sides by trees,

3. but some fords existed where the people could cross

4. They were so terrified that they were fleeing for their lives

iii. V7 tells us that Saul stayed and all the people with him were terrified

1. tells us there were only 600

2. From 3000 + whoever else gathered in v4 to only 600

iv. You can imagine why Saul might be terrified, right?

1. Thousands of enemy soldiers, his troops are fleeing, only 600 people

2. And this was God’s job for him to do? This is what he was commanded to do, right?

a. What a test of faith this must have been for Saul

b. Pastor Richard Phillips writes, “. He had decided to obey the Lord, putting God’s faithfulness to the test, and it seemed that a major catastrophe was resulting”

3. Was God trying to break Saul so that he could mock the people for their choice?

a. No, v14 makes clear there was great reward waiting for him

b. Instead, God always uses trials to test and grow our faith

- Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

c. “Moses learned to trust the Lord with his back to the Red Sea—which God parted to save his people and destroy the Egyptian army. Likewise, Saul would need to trust the Lord in trying times if he wanted to see God’s salvation” -Phillips[iii]

4. Saul’s climatic decision:

i. Saul offered a forbidden sacrifice (V8-9)

1. Saul waits 7 days, the appointed time

a. Read 10:8 Samuel preiovusly told him to go to Gilgal and wait

b. There are some similarities

to wait seven days at Gilgal

until Samuel comes = to the appointed time when Samuel appears

to sacrifice the burnt offerings and the peace offerings.[iv]

c. But this can’t be the same time

i. In ch 9-10 Saul seems to be a young man in his father’s house

ii. Now he has a son who is old enough to be a general

d. So, the time appointed by Samuel might not be about an appointment that Samuel was keeping But instead, a religious command

i. wait on God for seven days at Gilgal may have been a religious custom among the Israelites of Saul’s time[v]

ii. Remember, 7:16- Samuel would make a yearly circuit to Gilgal

iii. So the 7 days was probably more regular

iv. And clearly Samuel was almost there

e. The main point is that Saul is going to be rejected at the very place he was approved

2. Note the reason

a. The people were scatterinf rom him, So!

b. The reason Saul took Samuel’s job was fear of the people leaving

i. They were voting with their feet about his ability to save them

ii. They were giving up on his leadership

c. Sometimes in church we feel the empty room

i. We’re not as big as those churches that avoid talking about sin and have every program to make your life easier

ii. They don’t talk about getting people to serve… just getting them in

iii. And we have a mission given to us by God too Make disciples

iv. So, like Saul… we are tempted to demand unbiblical methods

1. Like those who “prime the pump” with an altercall

2. Or tone down talking about sin

v. The proverb states, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (). Saul violated this very precept in making the offering himself

1. This applies to Christians today in matters such as child-raising, dating, marriage, and the use of time and money. Whereas our society encourages independence in children, the Bible commands obedience to parents. Whereas the world applauds sexual indulgence in dating, God requires purity and self-control. So it goes in virtually every other aspect of life. When secular ideas conflict with the teaching of God’s Word and especially with its clear commands, they are to be seen as dangerous folly.

3. And This is pride

a. It is self-worship, saying I am the accomplisher, I will make this work

b. Vs Humility, saying God is the source, he will accomplish

i. Phillips again, “What we do in worship reveals our beliefs about who God is and what he wants, so that our obedience in worship should receive priority in our lives. The sacrifices Saul desecrated were holy, and they dealt with holy things, such as God’s wrath against our sin and his atoning work in Christ for our forgiveness”

ii. There only way we’re going to accomplish this God given command is through God’s way

1. Kevin DeYoung once said, “If we’re are trying to do anything that can be accomplished outside of prayer and the preaching of God’s word, then we’re trying to do the wrong thing”

Trans: So, in God’s perfect timing, just when Saul finishes… Samuel walks up

ii. V10-12 Samuel accuses Saul and Saul makes excuses

1. Saul casually comes out to meet Samuel, but Samuel rebukes him

a. Like God in the garden saying

b. - Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done

c. So Samuel asks Saul

d. And notice Saul’s 3 excuses

i. The people were leaving

ii. You were not here yet

iii. The Philistines are here, so I need to ask God’s help

e. They sound great right?

i. But he solves the problem his own way, not God’s

f. Notice v13 and Samuel’s response

i. Calls him a fool

ii. Pastor Tim Chester writes “fool” or “foolish” has a particular meaning in the Old Testament. It is not simply the ancient equivalent of calling someone an idiot. According to : “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’”. This is not an atheist, but someone who lives as though God does not exist or God does not matter. Saul’s problem was that he acted as though God would not act. He did “not [keep] the Lord’s command” because he did not really trust the Lord ().”

iii. This was a lack of faith He feared his enemies and his people more than God

2. As saul will later hear when he fears again

- And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

5. Conclusion (V13-15)

i. Samuel explains God has given the kingdom to another

ii. But the people still follow after Saul

III. Conclusion

1. Cohesion-

2. Resolution-

IV. So what questions

1. Why is it hard to God if we do not trust God’s word?

2. Is saul trusting in an idol even if there is not actual idol present?

3. Can you think of times when common sense stands opposed to obeying God?

4. What makes the best excuses?

5. What kind of excuses have you used in the past?

6.

[i] Dr. Snider and Dr. Vlach, TMS Theology, The Master’s Seminary Notes, n.d.

[ii] Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 654.

[iii] Richard D. Phillips, 1 Samuel, ed. Philip Graham Ryken and Richard D. Phillips, Duguid Iain M., 1st ed., Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2012), 199.

[iv] David Tsumura, The First Book of Samuel, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007), 340.

[v] David Tsumura, The First Book of Samuel, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007), 340.