1 Samuel 8:5, "...and they said unto him (Samuel), Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."
I consider this verse to be a major transition point in the Old Testament, and generally a step closer to God's eventually incarnation among us as Christ. Let me explain.
So far up to this point we have had quite a few things happen. Many people will glaze over the Genesis-Ruth books of the Old Testament, feeling the violence done by God's people within is too politically incorrect for their tastes.
I have heard many an argument against belief in God simply based off of the actions taken by Israelites throughout Numbers, Joshua and Judges. The trick is to see the context of the Israelites covenant relationship with God, and demonstrate that the giving up of nations into Israel's hands, demonstrates a love for those who would follow Him, while showing righteous judgment for those who hear the news but turn to their own gods and devices.
Israel in this day was a Theocracy, God was their king, judge, redeemer, and no other governmental system was necessary than God's law. Moses was God's favored deliverer of these laws, but it is important to realize that it was Israel who requested these laws, not God who imposed them.
If we look back, we see that Israel desires God to dwell among them, and in order for a just and Holy God to dwell with sinful man, some guidelines were necessary. Enter the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The sacrifices and offerings are meant to represent that man can never eliminate sin himself, but can only cover it temporarily with offerings. By covering their sin with frequent daily sacrifices, God dwelt among them and made them His people.
Now, In the Book of Genesis, God had made a covenant with Abraham that his descendants would inherit a certain land. The difference between a man-made covenant and a God breathed covenant should be obvious. Man is sinful and can break a promise...God will not. It would completely violate his nature to break a promise. Therefore, when viewed as a total history of Israel leaving Egypt, up until the time of Malachi's writing, we see God constantly keeping his promises.
Deuteronomy perhaps best represents this, as it basically summarizes Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 Represents part 1 of a two part decree, made by Moses to the ENTIRE nation of Israel before entering God's promised land. This is God's covenant with Israel for entry into the promised land.
"And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that Jehovah thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth 2. and all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God."(ASD)
This is the blessing portion, stating that if Israel follows God, and does not turn away to false gods and idols, He will go before them and bless them richly.
Deuteronomy 28:15 however presents the opposite end of this decree--
"But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee."
The Israelites were under this covenantal relationship with God, and God truly upholds both ends of the agreement, throughout the following books of the Bible. When Israel follows his law, he blesses them and fights for them, but when they turn away, he allows them to be overtaken by foreign nations and curses to fall on them.
Key point- Even when God allows them to be cursed for their disobedience, he is always waiting to take them back, with open arms, knowing full well they will turn again. This shows us that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and that Jesus Christ, God incarnate, though emphatic on love, was the same just, holy, loving God that brought Israel out of Egypt. God simply honored his contract with Israel to the point of even cursing them (as much as it pained Him) when they turned away....the love is seen in his willingness to take them back--even after they turn constantly.
The Book of Judges has judges ruling with God's authority--for a number of years--then Israel sins--then God sends another Judge--then Israel sins...so on and so forth for many years. Blessing and curse.
If you are thinking that it is unfair for God to treat his people badly at times, you have probably skimmed over the part in Deuteronomy where the entire nation enters the covenant relationship--FULLY AWARE--of the blessings and curses mentioned.
Deuteronomy 31:16- Moses converses with God before his death, and God prophesies that Israel will turn away at times-But he also knows that when they are under the curse, they will lift their hearts and minds back to God and he will willingly take them back (Israel established this requirement by asking God to dwell among them---God just drew up the contracts)
Joshua 1:16 (to Joshua), "And they answered Joshua saying, All that thou hast commanded us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go."
-Israel knew fully what was required of them, and acknowledge here and in other places that they will obey God or face pre-established consequences.
If we enter into contracts today, there are consequences for breaking them. We don't cry foul or call the individual who made the contract a meanie or jerk---we know when entering in the contract what is expected, and the consequences that will befall us for breaking that contract. This is how it was with Israel and God in the Old Testament.
We cannot look at this through the glasses of our own Democratic modern society because that isn't what Israel had. They had something better--a direct link to God--if only they would obey him. We cannot project modern day morality on past situations without fully considering the context therein.
If we truly explore the Old Testament, we see God's love shining through. Though there is justice and anger, it is all in the name of Love for His people--who were stubborn enough to turn away so many times, that any one of us would have just said forget it--no more. But God in his infinite patience, stayed true to his contract/covenant with His people.
He even let strangers from other nations dwell among them and worship him--demonstrating that the other nations which Israel conquered had just as much chance to follow God. Their destruction, much like our own, is a product of our decisions--we cannot bend the rules of a covenant to fit our desires, but must follow the pre-established guidelines. If the God of Israel, our God, Jesus Christ, wants us to avoid certain practices and idols and things, we enter in that covenant knowing full well we are not to do those things. By doing them, we accept the consequences.
Friends, today we have it so much easier. The Old Testament Sacrifice system is meant to make us say "there is no way I can fulfill all those laws and be holy before God without something else." That someone else is Jesus Christ, and he stepped in to take the punishment of all the world's sin. Not as a sin covering, but as an eliminator of all the world's sin, past; present; future. All we need to do is accept God's contract. We have it in front of us (Bible) and we can choose whether what is mentioned within is acceptable to us. We acknowledge by default however that by not accepting this contract, there are consequences, as no one will be there to cover our sin. If our sin is not covered, we cannot enter into a covenant relationship with the God of the universe, and therefore face eternal separation on death.
Pray for Christ to enter your lives this Easter season. We need someone to eliminate our sins, not cover them. Christ became that willing sacrifice.
Israel chose to have laws. Israel chose to have kings, and God allowed it because they were being stubborn and refused to honor him only as king. Yet through his patience and goodness, he brought from that lineage of Kings, the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Israel wanted what God knew they didn't need, but he allowed their choices to dictate the covenant..and did a little tweaking of His own to bring it about for good.
1 Samuel 8:5 represents the request for a King, that would lead to King David and Solomon, and eventually Christ--who being fully man and fully God, became King of King and Lord of Lords. We celebrate his sacrifice today, and I do hope you'll consider taking a stand this year. Put your faith in the one true King. Don't be stubborn as the Israelites were, but accept the terms and conditions of the contract for your life. God wants you to sign so you can enjoy eternal blessing with him...the pen is in your hands...will you sign?
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