The Human Problem
Notes
Transcript
Reading:
Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”
When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments. For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.’ ”
Introduction:
Why did Lucifer fall?
Your heart was proud because of your beauty;
you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.
I cast you to the ground;
I exposed you before kings,
to feast their eyes on you.
Lucifer was an high ranking angel.
He was a created ministering spirit.
He gave into his pride and chose selfishness.
“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low!
You said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
in the far reaches of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
Lucifer believed in himself too much!
More than he believed in God the real Authority!
Lucifer was cast down from his position and duties. (Fired)
He is called out in the Isaiah passage as no longer in the presence of God any longer.
“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low!
Where was he cast to?
Earth!
The name Satan in Hebrew means: “Adversary”.
Satan is the adversary of God, and anything to do with Him.
Satan lead a rebellion, with 1/3rd of the angels in deception, against God.
Now they are banished to Earth and are propagating evil among men.
We have a commonality with Lucifer because of this.
But our commonality didn’t come until after our failure.
Sin killed our relationship with God and opened us up to everything that the adversary throws our way.
There are many accounts throughout history that we can recall which shows mankind’s trust and pride is in self.
The one I would like to highlight today isn’t a person but a people: Israel.
Transition:
Israel had come to a point when they had seen a lot of other countries.
You begin to notice little details about cities when you spend some time there.
One thing everyone can notice is how each different leader impacts their subjects.
Israel’s leaders were the judges at this point in history.
What was a judge?
“Any person having political and military leadership over the Israelites before the monarchy.” - bible dictionary.
The Judges were instituted by Moses:
And I charged your judges at that time, ‘Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him. You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’ And I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do.
“Then we set out from Horeb and went through all that great and terrifying wilderness that you saw, on the way to the hill country of the Amorites, as the Lord our God commanded us. And we came to Kadesh-barnea. And I said to you, ‘You have come to the hill country of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving us.
In 1 Samuel 8 we find that Samuel was old and had made his sons the judges over Israel.
When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.
This is a leadership shift, let’s see how the people view their new judges?
Keep this in mind: Israel had Judges; but God was still their Leader.
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
They Lost Hope! (4-8)
They Lost Hope! (4-8)
Israel’s hope used to be in the Lord.
Israel left Egypt with no weapons; yet they were to conquer all nations in the promised land!
They did the only thing that they could: Hope in the Lord to provide their victories.
To provide everything for them.
Who placed Samuel in the position as Judge over Israel?
God!
Who placed Joel and Abijah as judges over Israel?
God!
In these scenarios who was in control over all that happened?
God!
Question:
Could God intervene at any point to correct any mis-steps by Israel or any failures?
Absolutely, and He had many times.
His will is always done.
That really is no different than today.
He is still Sovereign over all that takes place.
by this time Israel had become complacent with their leader.
As we read the passages we may think: How is that possible? It’s God!!
Illustration:
We all celebrated Christmas a couple weeks ago.
While it is fresh in our minds think back to a present that you asked and begged your parents for.
When I was little my dad promised me a dirt bike, well I was twelve years old and there was as green KX 80 in the garage for me.
It was a used bike; but that doesn’t make any difference to a 12 year old.
It also needed the top end replaced.
None of that stopped me from cleaning that thing up to make it shine.
I lubed the chain, cleaned the air filter, scrubbed scuffs and scratches so they were smooth.
Guess what happened in about a year or 2 after riding it?
I didn’t spiff it up as much as that first 3 months.
It kind of lost it’s “newness”.
My passion for the dirt bike had waned just as the Israelites hope in the Lord had.
They were comfortable where they were and hadn’t “needed” Him as much.
Israel had normalized the hope of the Lord and began to misplace their trust and faith from God to themselves.
Their hope in the Lord had waned.
As a result what did they do?
and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
Their hope was misplaced in believing that man could orchestrate like the Lord.
The countries that they conquered had rulers, they reasoned amongst themselves and thought: why should we be any different?
Doesn’t their culture say every nation should have a king?
Point:
Culture cannot dictate the truth of the Bible or what is acceptable to the Lord.
God’s word is the truth that we live our life according to; not by what our culture deems acceptable.
Israel’s logic was wrong; but we are similar as we allow our culture to decided what parts of God’s word we would accept or deny.
Accept His full word 100% even if it offends your ideals or feelings.
Samuel the Judge, who is the mediator between Israel and God is grieved by the elders request.
But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord.
In Samuel's response we see His faith and the reverence he has for the Lord.
Samuel was displeased with the elders lack of reverence for God.
He was a man for the people, and it broke his heart to see they were so quickly turning away from the Lord.
Samuel did the only thing, and the best thing, He talked to God about it.
Connection:
When we see people of the Lord act or speak unbecoming of a believer does it break our heart?
Do we speak to the Lord about it?
Then do we wait upon the Lord for His direction or His actions into their life or how to handle it?
God must have the liberty to be God in every situation.
Sit back and watch the Lord work sometimes, it’s really cool what He does and how.
Then praise Him for it.
And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you.
Here is a very good portion of scripture that extends wisdom we should take not of and also to remind one another of:
Sometimes God gives you what you ask for, and it isn’t always what He wanted for you.
He might grant your desire even when it isn’t what’s best for you.
It is kind of like when He allows you to exercise your free will to choose what you know is wrong.
He doesn’t leave you alone, He is there waiting for you to turn back to Him and humble yourself before Him.
In the text here:
God lifts up Samuel:
And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.
God pointed out to Samuel that they aren’t displeased with Samuel, they are displeased with God.
They rejected God as their King not Samuel as their leader.
This shouldn’t have been a surprise to Samuel, they have been gradually distancing themselves from the Lord for a while.
They have even gone as far as worshipping other Gods.
And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”
Samuel told them how to get back to where they left the Lord.
If they wanted the Lord to continue fighting for them and providing for them, they needed to:
Repent from those things.
Admit their transgression.
Connection:
When we have waned from the Lord: know that repenting and turning back to Him brings us back into fellowship with Him.
He will always forgive you and cleanse you (a.k.a. worthy of the Lord’s indwelling).
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Transition:
The elders really had no idea what they were asking for, and who they rejected.
They had been deceived into thinking they had no King.
How many times have we asked things not understanding the full weight of what we were asking.
As the leader who loves those in his care Samuel relays:
The Truth from God! (9-18)
The Truth from God! (9-18)
Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”
God says to give them a chance to think it over.
Tell them about the king they will elect, and how he will take care of them.
So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king from him.
Samuel was to appoint the King, one whom the Lord chose and anoint him for the position over them.
He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves.
The word “His” can be found 12 times.
(This is a possessive pronoun. Possessive Pronouns pronounce ownership or possession over.)
They were selfish and self-centered, why wouldn’t they think that a man among them would be similar in mindset with power and authority?
Only now he would be given all authority over everything, including even their lives.
It sounds like a loving father warning His children of what they could get if they continue to pursue their selfish desire!
Connection:
How many times do we hear the Lord’s silence towards some prayers?
How many times can we see in others lives, whether reading it in scripture or watching it unfold before us, the desires which aren’t of the Lord?
As you read through scripture you can find many instances where the Lord gives an opportunity for Humility and repentance.
To ask forgiveness for our selfishness or sinful desires.
All that is required for the staying of the Lord’s hand would be to humble ourselves.
No different than salvation.
We are granted grace for humility!
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
There are many other passages of God accepting laying ourselves onto the altar pleading forgiveness.
Humility is the opposite of Pride, that is what the Lord asks of us.
Allow Him to be Lord of our lives and to lead us, trust His ways.
Believe His words and follow His wisdom.
Here is the nail in coffin:
And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
The Lord warns them you will get what you want, and you won’t like it.
It will be too late when you cry to me, I won’t hear you.
You chose yourselves over Me!
Transition:
How would you react to a warning like that?
rip our clothes and throw ashes on our heads..
What does Israel, God’s chosen people, do?
God’s mercy is rejected! (19-22)
God’s mercy is rejected! (19-22)
But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us,
They really stuck to it didn’t they?
You can hear their frustration with Samuel “challenging” their wisdom.
I wonder what lie they believed about the situation?
I wonder if Satan whispered to them that Samuel was really just trying to hold onto his authority.
Samuel wanted his boys to live that comfortable life as judges.
Everything was provided for them, etc...
I say that because Satan works carefully and subtly.
Whispering into our ears, lies to believe; which may seem logical or part of the cultural norm.
If he can get us to believe his lie then our actions will be decided from that unstable foundation
How could Israel “evaluate” the situation?
Asking questions like:
Is my heart wholly for the Lord, is my heart right in this moment?
Has Samuel performed his duties for self?
Has God always taken care of us, why do we not trust Him now?
Why do we want to be like all other nations?
Have I prayed about this?
What was God’s answer?
What does God want in this situation?
Am I asking this of my own selfish desires?
It doesn’t sound like the elders did any of this.
They made a decision and that was the end of it!
that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.” Samuel then said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”
The elders desired to be like the other nations.
Why?
Why wouldn’t you want to be unique from all other nations?
You have a king that is all authoritative, all powerful, everywhere at once, and all knowing.
Isn’t that the best that you could possible get?
Yet you want to downgrade to a human?
That’s like having an Ferrari or Lamborghini for a race and you want to be like everyone else and drive a Chevette.
Israel was chosen by God and they want to be removed from that special privilege.
that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes,
Are they so quick to forget the victories which the Lord gave?
How about that time they walked around a city and the walls fell?
How about the time Pharaoh and his army drowned?
Remember eating manna?
Remember not needing clothes, food, or anything for 40 years in the desert?
Conclusion:
They lost their hope in the Lord and replaced it with hope in their selves.
Don’t loose hope in the Lord because it became “normal”.
Renew that fire every day by reminding yourself of all has already done for you!
Israel was given the truth for an opportunity to humble themselves and repent.
Recognize when the Lord pulls back the scales and allows you a sober look at what’s going on!
Listen to the Spirit’s direction and turn to Him!
Israel rejected God’s mercy.
Receive His mercy instead of standing firm in your pride!
The Israelites disobeyed God and Samuel, His representative.
They are a stiffnecked people.
Stubborn, selfish, and prideful.
Don’t believe the lie that we are different then them.
We too often are:
Prideful, selfish, and stubborn.
Many times we demand our way.
When it doesn’t happen that way we fight to make it so.
When the truth is given to us we dig our heels into the mud and aren’t going to budge!
The Human problem is sin... specifically pride and selfish ambition.
The same as Lucifer, why he fell.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Humble yourself before the Lord and let Him be the King of your life.
If He is your Lord and savior, then trust His wisdom and direction.
Act from faith and know:
He is allowing things in your life for your growth and His praise.
Fight against the human problem: selfishness and pride. (Sin)
The Lord made our struggle possible through Jesus.
Transition to Communion: