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E-pistle

FreeWay Foundation            April 12, 2013

 

"The Lord Gives and the lord takes away"

(Job 1:21) (Paraphrased)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

            This paraphrased text form Job 1:21 may well be applied to the anointing of God upon his servants.

Saul is a prime example of this truth.  He was tall, dark, and handsome, this Saul of the tribe of Benjamin. 

First Samuel, chapter 9 speaks of the circumstances of his anointing.  The donkeys of his father, Kish, were

lost, and Saul was sent to find them.  He and his servant searched everywhere . . . Ephraim, Shalisha, Shallim,

Benjamin, and Zuph.  After several days, he wanted to turn home, for by now his father would be worried about

the son, rather about the donkeys.  The servant suggested they ask advice from the prophet, Samuel.  He even

paid for the visit, and some young women pointed the way to where Samuel was.  Meanwhile, Samuel had heard

from the Lord that a divine appointment had been arranged with Saul, whom he was to anoint.  So it was that

Saul met Samuel without knowing him, and received the answer that the donkeys had been found without asking

him.  Saul and Samuel ate a meal together, with Samuel honoring Saul, who responded with humility.  Chapter

10 then tells of Saul's anointing, empowering by the Spirit, and coronation as king of Israel.

LESSONS ABOUT RECEIVING THE ANOINTING

            1.  If we have discerning eyes of faith, we may be able to see and recognize God's

                 hand at work in ordinary happenings.  (Did God cause the donkey to stray?  I

                 don't know, but it wouldn't be the only time He used donkeys to accomplish

                 His purpose.)

            2.  God chooses people who are faithfully working at their smaller responsibilities

                 to accomplish His greater purpose.

            3.  A simple suggestion and/or an insignificant gift to God's service may be used

                 to alter the entire course of history of a nation.  (Credit Saul's servant hers!)

            4.  God places persons across our paths to point the way if and when we need

                 directions (servant and girls drawing water.)

            5.  Sometimes God reveals our destiny to another godly person who gives us that

                 call "out of the blue."

            6.  God takes care of the low priority things that concern us, while He is dealing

                 with us on a higher level.  (The donkeys are found).

            7.  Humility is the only proper response to make when someone gives us praise

                 and honor.  The "anointing" is a gift, not something worked for or earned.

LESSONS ABOUT LOSING THE ANOINTING

            Samuel was commanded by God to "anoint him commander over My people," I Samuel 9:16.  In the first

verse of the next chapter, Samuel said, "The Lord has anointed you commander."  But after Saul's death, David

wrote a funeral song referring to "the shield of Saul, not anointed . . . " (II Samuel 1:21)  The history of Saul's life

between receiving the anointing and losing it is a tragic one.  At 6 feet, 8 inches tall, Saul was an insecure little man.

his life is a downhill slide into oblivion.  His blunders and shortcomings, his rebellion and stubbornness, his sin and

iniquity stand as clear warnings to us who are God's present-day anointed leaders.  Notice his downward progression:

            1.  He took credit for another person's accomplishment, I Samuel 13:1-4, Jonathan won the victory, but Israel

     heard that Saul had attacked the Philistines.

            2.  He "took matters into his own hands to make it happen."  Saul had announced a sacrifice and everyone

     except Samuel came.  To save face, Saul sacrificed . . . assuming the position and authority of another

     person, I Samuel 13:8-12.  Much of Saul's sin was connected with his self-image problem . . . and his trying

     to make himself look better.  Here he lost the possibility of permanent influence, v. 14.

3.  He made decisions based on human wisdom, not taking time to hear first from God, I Samuel 14:19, 36-37. 

     Saul felt compelled to do something, even if it was the wrong thing!

4.  He made pious-sounding statements, not based on God's word, but to make himself look good, I Samuel 14:24.

     "Cursed is the man who eats until I take vengeance on my enemies."  This foolish pronouncement caused

     the people to sin by hungrily eating meat without draining the blood, I Samuel 14:32.  It also prevented them

                 from winning a complete victory, vv. 28-30.

            5.  He blamed others for problem caused by his personal failure, I Samuel 14:33; 15:20-21, 24.

            6.  He only partially obeyed God's commands, assuming a privileged exemption from complete obedience, thus

                 enhancing his personal honor and glory, I Samuel 15:1-9.  He spared Agag to march him through the land

                 in a victory parade.

            7.  He erected a monument to bring glory and honor to himself, I Samuel 15:12 . . . motivated by his desire to be

                 remembered.

            8.  He made his own rules for worshipping God and giving to Him, I Samuel 15:14, 15.  Lying to God about worship

                 and giving is an act of a fool.  Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 did the same thing, with similar consequences.

            9.  He denied that anything wrong had been done, I Samuel 15:20-21, 24.  "I have obeyed (except for one little thing),

                 and the other sin wasn't my fault (I had no choice)."  Here he lost his present position, v. 26.

          10.  Saul's path of rebellion and stubbornness opened his heart o demonic influences . . . witchcraft, I Samuel 15:23.

                 The night before his death, he involved himself in a séance, I Samuel 28.  Finally here he lost his life (25: 19; 31:4).

                 Saul lost his anointing little by little.  Samuel's warning to him is a vital word to us today: "To obey is better than

                 sacrifice,"  I Samuel 15:22.  Why is it better?  Because, it man had obeyed in the Garden of Eden, no sacrifice

                 would have been needed on Calvary. 

 

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose"

--Robert Byrne

           

 

 

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