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A Tale of Two Sauls
A Tale of Two Sauls
Welcome to another episode of Digging In
I love it when the OT and NT passages line up, and I feel that this week it happened again.
What stood out to me, what I couldn’t ignore is that this weeks passages were about men named Saul, a Tale of Two Sauls, a contrast in men.
One Saul was the first King of Israel, the other is the artist formerly known as Saul, the apostle Paul
We departed Judges with the words “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
As we begin 1 Samuel, the people basically say, we want to be like the nations around us, we want a king.
The reason we are such screw ups is because we need a king over us, a king to lead us. This is what was right in their eyes
So, God grants them their request, and gives them a king who would be right in their eyes.
Saul is much taller than any man in Israel from his shoulders up and he’s really good looking, he would definitely pass the eye test, he would be a man that the people would want to be their king.
In the beginning it seems that Sual is humble, questioning the special treatment he’s receiving from Samuel, saying he’s from the smallest tribe, Benjamin, and his clan is the smallest.
Even when he’s to be publically appointed “prince” over Israel, Saul is hiding among the baggage it says.
Who am I he said to be king over Israel.
But it doesn’t take long for Saul to begin to think highly of himself.
In fact the name Saul means “asked for” and that’s what the people will get.
And he starts to do what seems right in his own eyes.
In his impatience and fear he offers an unauthorized sacrifice, something only Samuel or the priest had the right to do
Saul doesn’t completely destroy the Amalekites, their sheep, camels and donkeys as he was instructed to do by the Lord.
He even builds a monument to himself, something kings of the other nations would surely do.
When confronted by Samuel he justifies his disobedience with religious language, no we kept the best back to offer as sacrifices. He even claims he was obedient to the command of the Lord.
It’s in this story where Samuel speaks these words .
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.
It is far better to obey all the words from the Lord than to perform religious acts
After this, as Samuel is departing Saul reaches out and grabs Samuel, tearing his robe, showing complete disrespect for the Lord and his anointed prophet.
The downward spiral continues for Saul as he truly becomes just like one of the kings of the nations around them.
He jealously tries to preserve his kingdom, to preserve his life.
He should have been the one to fight Goliath, one “giant” vs another, but cowardly hides in his tent.
Then he grows increasing jealous of David, fearing he would take “his” kingdom from him.
He eventually, in his fear and jealousy tries to kill David numerous times and even has 70 priests of the Lord murdered.
The people of Israel got exactly what they asked for, a king like the nations around them.
Saul continuously did what was right in his own eyes.
Clearly the answer, was not a king, or at least not this king. (that’s a segue into David and eventually Jesus, but not for today)
As we shift to the New Testament we see Saul of Tarsus.
His start is not as humble as King Saul’s
His resume is impressive, and he believes he is zealously serving the Lord by trying to eradicate this movement called the Way.
When he is confronted on the Damascus road, he’s broken, crushed, humbled in realizing he has been persecuting, arresting and killing the true followers of the Lord, of Jesus.
As we get to this past weeks readings we see this man, formerly known as Saul being called Paul, the name means “small” or “little one” he’s a humbled man.
His life is no longer about himself and it’s all about the Lord.
Paul’s whole mission in life is to be obedient, to do what Jesus has called him to do.
To not do what seems right in his own eyes but to completely do what is right in the Lords eyes.
In Acts 20, Paul has decided to go to Jerusalem.
As he informs the elders he tells them he’s “bound by the Spirit” to go to Jerusalem.
He says that he doesn’t know what awaits him except that the Holy Spirit tells him that in every city imprisonment and affliction await.
Paul doesn’t shrink back from suffering, but moves towards it, listen to his words in Acts 20 verses 24-27
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
This is the exact opposite mentality from king Saul
Paul had resistance every where he went, demonic resistance, Jewish resistance, Gentile resistance, even resistance from brothers, urging him not to go to Jerusalem
Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
but the Lords’ will is for Paul to suffer, not for sufferings sake but so that the Gospel would advance.
Paul’s suffering would not lead to death in Jerusalem, but to testify in front of a Roman tribune, centurion, and soldiers.
In front of Jewish people, the council, chief priests, Sadducees and Pharisees, in front of the high priest, and eventually governors Felix, Festus and even king Agrippa
He ultimately will end up in Rome, testifying and writing.
As I’ve been thinking this over, the question I keep asking myself is this, Am I more like the apostle Paul or like King Saul?
I want to rail against Saul and accuse him of a bunch of things, but then I realize that I am a lot like him.
I shy away from what I’ve been called to, I may semi obey and yet would like to think I’ve been completely obedient.
I think highly of myself at times and am fearful over my kingdom,
I live at times doing what seems right in my own eyes.
I’d love to be able to say I’m just like Paul, doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, that I’m innocent of the blood of all because everywhere I’ve gone I’ve boldly declared the whole council of God, but I can’t say that.
That’d I’d move towards suffering because that is what God is calling me to, so the Gospel can advance.
So the questions for all of us at the end of this is, am I obedient to what the Lord is asking of me, completely obedient?
Would I willingly move towards suffering, forsaking my “kingdom” for the Lords kingdom and the furtherance of the gospel?
In essence, am I more like Saul or am I more like Paul?
verses
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.
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
So the questions for all of us at the end of this are these
Am I obedient to what the Lord is asking of me, am I completely obedient?
Would I willingly move towards suffering, forsaking my “kingdom” for the Lords kingdom and the furtherance of the gospel?
In essence, am I more like Saul or am I more like Paul?