I Samuel 11-13
Do you ever think that the God of the Old Testament is somehow different from the God of the New Testament? Are you quick to see His anger and wrath in the Old, but all (and only) forgiveness and mercy in the New? It’s a common idea, one that I hear voiced rather frequently. And it is not a new idea. In fact, it is an idea that has been around since the second century. It’s part of Marcionism. And it’s a heresy. (So stop believing it!)
Our reading today should help dispel any notion that the God of the Old Testament is any less loving than the God of the New Testament. He is exactly the same God. Just look at this:
And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for Himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”
I Samuel 12:19-25
Consider the fact that the people of Israel exist at all at this point. If the “God of the Old Testament” were the malevolent, wrathful “God” that some suggest (either from a shallow reading of the Old Testament, or from a complete disregard of it), then God surely would have stamped Israel out of existence during the period of the Judges for Israel’s utter unfaithfulness. But He didn’t. And now, in response to Israel’s rejection of Him and in their asking for a king instead, what does God do? Does He obliterate Israel in wrath? No. He assures them that He will not forsake His people. This is the message throughout the Old Testament (and the New). Over and over and over again, the LORD demonstrates that He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Psalm 103:8) God loves His people. Yes, He is wrathful against sin — always has been and always will be — because sin is what separates us from Him. Sin is what kills us. Sin is what destroys us. Sin is what corrupts everything God has made. And God hates it. He therefore continuously calls His people to repentance — and holds the impenitent to account (even in the New Testament!). In all of it He loves His people — always has, and always will.
One more thing…
Today we see the beginning of Saul’s downfall and the first hint of another, better king:
And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”
I Samuel 13:13-14
What is Saul’s offence? That’s a bit ambiguous. It may be that Saul himself offers sacrifices without a priest, contrary to Torah, but that is not explicitly stated. Or it may be his impatience, not waiting for Samuel in accordance with Samuel’s instructions of I Samuel 10:8, to which I Samuel 13:8 seems to refer — but those instructions seem wildly disconnected from this story, with everything that has transpired in between (though it may be that our narrative here is simply not chronological). It may be his lack of faith and his over-regard for public opinion. I don’t think we can nail the problem down precisely other than to say that — in some way — Saul is disobedient and is not a man after God’s own heart. So, out of His love for His people, God desires someone better. Stay tuned.