1S10-32: How God Directs History In Spite Of Men’s Rebellious Freewills

Let’s get our bearings by quickly reviewing the political landscape that surrounded both Samuel and Saul’s decisions.

First, it’s important to know that at this point in the Bible, Israel was a deeply divided family.

There were three factions that formed the Holy Nation when Saul became king.

First, there were the 2 1/2 tribes of Reuben, Gad, and 1/2 of Manessah who decided to settle on the east side of the Jordan River.

Second, there were Judah and Simeon who lived in the southern part of the Promised Land.

Finally, there was the coalition of 8 tribes who resided in the fertile northern part of Canaan.

Now when Saul became king, there was hope he might be able to unite what was now a very fractured Israel.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

While these divided factions certainly recognized their common father in Jacob, there was still much inner tribal conflict between them.

So what kind of strife am I talking about?

Interestingly, it quite resembles the skirmishes that go on today.

There were regular battles over territorial boundaries, which tribe or tribes carried the most authority, and bitter fighting over which group best represented the true people of God and His Torah.

Sounds pretty familiar, doesn’t it?

Boy, I tell you, nothing has changed.

As long as fleshly and sin-stained mankind exists, there’s always gonna be conflict in the world.

Alrighty, let’s transition over to the takeaway.

This is pretty much a point I’ve been saying ever since I started this blog about 10 years ago (man, I can’t believe it’s been that long!).

Anyways, here’s the thing.

If you really wanna understand the New Testament, you’ve gotta understand the “Old” Testament.

You’ve gotta become a student of history.

Ya feel me?

There’s nothing more ridiculous than to start your Bible studies from the Book of John or any other New Testament book for that matter.

While it is true that God has always been directing mankind and especially Israel in accordance with His Will, His ways of working have always been done within the context of the world, national, tribal, and even individual circumstances.

It’s in our best interest to understand these circumstances and events because it builds our faith as we witness God miraculously bring about His Will in tandem with the free will He has given men.

I dunno about you, but I find this super exciting.

God is working through history and God is also working through you…

When we know this we don’t have to panic when crazy things happen like world pandemics or political uprisings.

Because God has everything under His firm control no matter how much it may seem to the contrary.