Okay, as it’s important to do every once in a while, let’s get our bearings on where we’re at in our study of 1st Samuel.
Now a lot of scholars will read 1st Samuel Chapter 12 and wrongly conclude that the torch has completely passed from Samuel to Saul.
But that’s not necessarily true.
Samuel had in no way disappeared from the scene.
Samuel’s role had simply changed.
And I would argue that although it appears that Saul had risen above Samuel, the opposite was true.
Here’s why.
Samuel may no longer be the visible political and military leader of Israel…
But he will remain as Israel’s spiritual leader.
This means Samuel would be the REAL power behind the throne.
Ya feel me?
Samuel would continue to pray and intercede for the people…
And he would also present the Lord’s directions and oracles to Saul…
Samuel would also call Saul on the carpet when he sinned.
So can you see how Samuel was now even more powerful than before Saul became king?
He was essentially defining the new role of the Prophet that would play a major role throughout the era of the Kings.
Moving forward, the role of a prophet would become as official an office in Israel as a king or High Priest.
So there’s an incredible takeaway here that goes back to a principle I taught way back when we were in the Book of Genesis.
I dubbed it the “As-in-heaven-so-on-earth” principle.
As wordy as that sounds, it reflects an important Scriptural principle that goes like this:
For every spiritual thing in the heavens, there exists its earthly counterpart.
But, the spiritual aspect is always superior to the earthly part.
Ya, feel me?
After Saul became king, Samuel, in retaining his spiritual authority over Israel, became even more powerful.
And the same thing could be said of Yeshua.
He became even more powerful after his death when he was resurrected as a spiritual body.
So that’s your lesson for today.
The spiritual is eternal and is always more powerful than the earthly.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Then he returned to his disciples
and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t
you men keep watch with me
for one hour?’ he asked Peter.
‘Watch and pray so that you will
not fall into temptation.
The spirit is willing, but
the flesh is weak.'”
-Matthew 26:40-41
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