And I think I have problems?
God’s people had been ruled by God as their King. But they had forgotten him. Still, Samuel said to them, “And as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.”
Tag Archive: Samuel
¿Y creo que yo tengo problemas?
La gente de Dios le había sido gobernada por Dios como su Rey. Pero ellos le han olvidado. Quisieron un Rey “como todas las naciones”, no Dios. Aun así, Samuel les dijo: «y en cuanto a mí, lejos esté de mí que peque contra el Señor, cesando de orar por ustedes».
King Saul, The People’s Sin
King Saul is an example of a leader appointed by God–at the rebellious insistence of the people–who followed his people’s idolatrous rebellion against God. Generally, in spiritual matters, worldly leaders follow their constituents rather than lead them. After God warned the people about the way their king would take, and sent a sign of his displeasure, they showed remorse–false, incomplete repentance–but did not change their ways. Ultimately, King Saul also followed their lead.
Eli, the High Priest, Talking when Action was Required
True repentance would have required high priest Eli to act to remove his sons Hophni and Phinehas from office. Hophni and Phinehas were using God and their offices as a magical charm and using others, as many in the Church do today. The people also learned to do these things from their example. Instead of removing them, Eli just nagged them, and he and all Israel paid the penalty.