Today's readings are 1 Samuel 13.1-18 and Acts 23.12-35.
Saul and his forces were under pressure. The Philistines had them outnumbered. Not only were the Philistines superior in numbers, but they had better equipment and a better position. It didn't look good for the forces of Israel. In fear they retreated and went to Gilgal, where Samuel was to arrive and make a sacrifice. Saul, not being a priest, could not make a sacrifice, of course. So where was Samuel? Was he delayed? Was he delaying on purpose? Was he struggling to get to Gilgal? We are not told. But the fact remains that day after day he did not arrive. Day after day the Philistines could improve their position, rest, plunder the land, and increase their superiority. Day after day things looked worse for the Israelites.
At last, Saul invoked emergency authority and made the sacrifice. Upon Samuel's arrive, Samuel rebuked Saul sharply. Was the king allowed to make sacrifice? Not at all! The king was not a priest. The king was never appointed by God to have such authority. The king's sacrifice was an act of pagan disobedience. Sorely chastised, Saul knows he will lose the kingdom. He expects it to happen in the near future as he takes a small force of people and again approaches the Philistine encampment. He has tried to establish his own authority. He has tried to run things his own way. Herein lies his failure.
Do we mistrust our Lord? Do we find fault with his timing? Why do we do this? In the fullness of time, when it was just right, we are told in Galatians, God sent his Son, the one who would be both the priest and the sacrifice, to bring us to God. And Jesus is not only the priest and sacrifice, he is the prophet and the king as well. This is the Lord who has done just what we need at just the right time. His kingdom will never be snatched away from him. His sacrifice is perfect.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogger.com
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