Israel's Idol

Israel's Idol
Words of Faith 9-3-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Samuel 9
[15] Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel: [16] "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people, Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me." [17] When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people." [18] Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, "Would you please tell me where the seer's house is?" [19] "I am the seer," Samuel replied. "Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. [20] As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and all your father's family?" [21] Saul answered, "But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?"

It must have been an amazing meeting between Saul and Samuel. Two men meet on a road-- one young and one old. One is very tall and handsome, the other is smaller in stature and bent by age. One knows nothing of the things of God; the other has listened to the crystal clear voice of God since he was a child. One cannot see past the donkeys at the next turn, but the other sees with the eyes of God.
God had appointed this meeting to declare Saul the sovereign choice to be king in response to the people's cries. Saul thought he was looking for a "seer" or prophet so that he might find lost donkeys; he did not realize the seer would reveal his destiny and that of all Israel.
Samuel made a profound statement-- The donkeys you lost three days ago? Do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and all your father's family?" In an age long before rock stars and American Idols, Saul was about to hit the big time. The desire of all Israel was about to turn to Saul and his family.
Like the final judges on the popular television competitions, Samuel was about to award Saul the "break" of a lifetime... and didn't even know it. Like so many who "break into" worldly fame, Saul did not have a clue what he was in for. He even responded with genuine disbelief-- "But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?"
The problem with the human perspective is that we think such matters truly depend upon us-- our family, efforts, talents, or accomplishments. Saul knew this was not the case, but his next conclusion was fed by ego. Once anointed, Saul would start to believe his press. Saul began to think he must be a big shot since he made it to this champion place. He would then spend the rest of his life second-guessing himself and worrying about rivals.
What is the lesson here? No matter how tall, handsome, pretty, or talented a person is-- any accomplishment or place of advance is a gift from God. In some way, everyone is from the smallest clan in the smallest tribe, and we don't "deserve" anything. We don't "deserve" the "big break" or the grand opportunity. If the judge deems us worthy to "move to the next level," it is always the hand of God at work in our lives. The sooner we realize this, the better. Disaster awaits the ones who think that they really are the American idol, or Israel's idol, or any other sort of idol.

Lord, I surrender every talent, gift, or accomplishment at the foot of the cross. I surrender to You the opportunities You have provided, the resources You have given, and the places You have graced me to see and experience. Use my little life and the big opportunities in my path. Help me to see Your hand and Your purpose at every turn. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.