Empathy for the Wicked - Saul

2019-04-01

Empathy for the Wicked - Saul This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship explores the critical importance of recognizing and respecting the sacred nature of God and His ways, using the contrasting examples of King Saul's failure and the New Testament understanding of believers as God's dwelling place. The speaker, Matthew Vander Els, begins by emphasizing the significance of Passover for early believers, seeing it as a celebration of the ultimate victory over sin and the powers that enslave humanity...

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship explores the critical importance of recognizing and respecting the sacred nature of God and His ways, using the contrasting examples of King Saul's failure and the New Testament understanding of believers as God's dwelling place. The speaker, Matthew Vander Els, begins by emphasizing the significance of Passover for early believers, seeing it as a celebration of the ultimate victory over sin and the powers that enslave humanity through Yeshua. This victory was not just about forgiveness but about a complete redemptive love that manifested in overcoming what separated humanity from God.

The teaching then shifts focus to King Saul, the first king of Israel, presented not merely as a villain but as a figure whose struggles and mistakes offer valuable lessons. Saul was chosen by the people who desired to be like other nations, and though he possessed qualities of a warrior and leader, he ultimately prioritized his own will and the fear of man over obedience to God. The narrative focuses on a specific incident in 1 Samuel 13 where Saul, facing the Philistine army and the apparent delay of the prophet Samuel, took it upon himself to offer a sacrifice. This act, while seemingly pragmatic under pressure, was a direct violation of God's command to wait for Samuel, God's appointed seer, to perform this sacred duty.

Saul's reasoning, driven by the fear and departure of his men and the urgency of the impending battle, highlights a common human tendency to rush into action and take matters into our own hands when faced with uncertainty. However, this story underscores that God has a specific order and way of doing things, especially when it comes to the sacred. Saul's impatience and his failure to wait on God's timing and appointed representative led to a profound consequence: the announcement that his kingdom would not endure and that God would seek a king after His own heart.

The teaching draws a parallel between Saul's irreverence and the story of Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant. Uzzah, in an attempt to steady the Ark when the oxen stumbled, was struck down by God because he, as a non-Levite, was not authorized to handle this sacred object. Both stories illustrate that the sacredness of God and His appointed ways must be respected, regardless of the circumstances or seemingly good intentions. Just as Uzzah lacked the credentials to handle the Ark, Saul encroached upon a priestly role reserved for Samuel.

The message then transitions to the New Testament concept of believers as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Through the work of Yeshua, the cornerstone, believers are no longer outsiders but living stones being built together into a dwelling place for God's Spirit. This profound truth signifies that God's sacred presence is now among and within His people, individually and collectively.

This understanding should revolutionize how believers see themselves and interact with one another and the world. Just as one would never defile the physical temple in the Old Testament, believers should recognize the sacredness of their own lives and the community of faith. Slandering, gossiping, or causing division within the body of Christ is akin to desecrating God's holy temple. Instead, believers are called to live as ambassadors and representatives of Christ, allowing others to experience God's glory through their words, actions, and deeds.

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Application for Everyday Life

Cultivate a deep reverence for God and His ways: Recognize that God is holy and His commands are to be respected, even when they don't align with our immediate desires or perceived needs.
Practice patience and trust in God's timing: Resist the urge to rush ahead and take control when faced with delays or uncertainty. Instead, wait on God's guidance and trust in His perfect timing.
Respect God's appointed leaders and the established order: Recognize and honor those whom God has placed in leadership, understanding that there is a divine order to follow.
Recognize the sacredness of your identity as a believer: Understand that as the temple of the Holy Spirit, your life is holy and should reflect God's glory in all you do.
Treat fellow believers with honor and respect: As part of the same spiritual temple, avoid actions that cause division, slander, or tear down others in the body of Christ.
Live as an ambassador of Christ: Consciously strive to represent God's love and glory in your interactions with others, allowing them to experience His presence through you.
View your resources (time, finances, energy) as sacred: Recognize that these are gifts from God and should be used in a way that honors Him and furthers His kingdom.
Embrace the mission of expanding God's kingdom: Be actively involved in serving others and making God's love known in the world.
Humbly submit to God's will: Avoid the temptation to exalt yourself or manipulate sacred things for your own agenda. Instead, be a vessel through whom God is exalted.
Be a living stone in the expanding temple: Recognize your role in the larger body of Christ and contribute to its growth and impact in the world.