HURRY UP AND WAIT (1 SAMUEL 11)
It’s been said, “Rome is not built in a day.”
When I was a youngster I was in a big hurry to grow up. I was skinny and short. When my brother and I sat in the same car going to school every day, I couldn’t help but compare his size to mine. My brother, who was two years older than me, had thighs like trunks; mine were like sticks. He was a head taller but it didn’t occur to me at that time that he was two and a half years older or had 30 month’s advantage over me. He had the last word on everything. Our arguments would end abruptly each time he issued his usual “Shut up, or else” warning. Fighting him was a death wish. I would only hurt myself. So I often stew inside.
The comparisons ceased when I was in grade five. By that time he was in a different school. Up to grade six, I was still average in height, but when I was 15 the growth spurt began. By the time I was done with secondary/high school I was taller than most Chinese and the tallest in the class, measuring 5 feet 11 inches. My brother’s height, on the other hand, stopped at 5’ 8.” I didn’t notice the height difference. It just occurred to me later one day.
I still couldn’t do anything about my weight then – I was gangly for a long time, but it was a wasted worry: marriage and midlife will do it to you.
New believers or converts do not become strong disciples, firm believers or spiritual giants overnight. They need room to grow. Unknown to us, we have caught a modern disease known as “hurry sickness,” but babies will cry, boys will be boys and teens are not adults. Even adults have lots of room to grow.
After Saul’s public coronation, he returned immediately to Gibeah - back to farming and tending livestock. Business was as usual after the highly publicized coronation. His job was unfashionable, his critics were merciless (1 Sam 10:27) and his supporters were flabbergasted.
In the meantime, the sadistic Ammonites were right on Israel’s doorsteps. Jabesh-gilead was a good city to pick on. It was isolated to the east of the Jordan, just west of Ammon. The men of Jabesh Gilead knew they were no match for the Ammonites but their surrender was not enough for the pushy Ammonites. The offer to serve Nahash was soundly ridiculed and rejected. Nahash pledged to gouge out their eyes (v 2), the same way the Philistines treated Samson’s eyes (Judg 16:21). This was the first “reproach” the Israelites suffered as a nation in the new land. The joint action of “lifting up voices and weeping” (v 4 – in Hebrew) was an act of desperation exclusively associated with the threat of extinction (Judg 21:2).
How do we develop spiritual resolve, fortitude and courage when enemies threaten and fears surface? What must we be prepared to do in the meantime?
Be Patient With Yourself
11:1 Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.” 2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.” 3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.” 4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud. 5 Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with the people? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said. (1 Sam 11:1-5)
Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty, the girl with the big nose and freckles on her face who likes Charlie Brown, were sitting underneath a tree. They were lying on the grass with their heads leaning against a tree and their clasped hands resting on their stomach, staring in opposing directions when Peppermint Patty admitted, “I’m scared, Chuck. What if I grow up, and no one ever loves me? We people with big noses are very insecure. Do you think I have a big nose, Chuck? Do you think someone will love me someday?” Charlie Brown said without much thought, “Sure.”
Peppermint Patty, not exactly thrilled by the response, stood up and exclaimed, “Sure?! ‘Sure,’ what? ‘Sure’ I have a big nose, or ‘Sure’ someone will love me someday?” Charlie Brown turned his body slightly to listen to her complain but went back to lying on the ground, leaning his head against the tree, and said, “Maybe someday the rest of your face will catch up with your nose, and then someone will love you.”
Peppermint Patty thought seriously about what Charlie Brown said when she walked home by herself. She headed straight for the bathroom mirror, stood on a high chair, looked at herself and gave the mirror an important message: “Hurry up, face!”
God’s timing is perfect; He does not rush or speed things and He is never in a hurry to start or complete something.
Saul was not in a hurry to fulfill his destiny or people’s expectations. His destiny was Gilgal, but he was still in Gibeah. Samuel predicted greatness for him, but greatness had to wait; the old unfashionable job of farming could not. He was still the same old farm worker, feeding, walking and guarding the livestock. Farmer he was; fighter he was not. He lived in his father’s house, tended his father’s oxen and minded his father’s business. Deep in his heart, he was hoping that people had forgotten about him and had stopped talking about him by now. He had no grandiose thoughts of becoming a national hero or a mighty warrior.
The pace of life in the country was right for him and more suited for Saul, who knew no other lifestyle and had no city ambitions. He was content to be in his own world – the safe and familiar comfort zone of domestic animals and mother nature, where falling leaves, chirping birds and lazy cows surrounded him. In the country he was oblivious to the world around him, moving comfortably at cow’s pace and blending in with domestic servants. The oxen’s leading did not bother him (v 5). The animals cared little or less about who their leader was. They were not divided about him or tentative of their support for him like the people were (1 Sam 10:27).
Saul was not in a rush to assume the leadership and ruler of the nation. At this point, he was not even the head of his family or a leader in his clan (1 Sam 9:21). Further, meeting, eating and socializing with officials (1 Sam 9:22) were not his cup of tea. In time, he was the forgotten man of Israel. It was not that the messengers from Jabesh Gilead knew little of and heard little about the future king of Israel. The news of Saul’s coronation and public snubbing was well-known (v 12). They just did not bother to check with him and he was the last to know. They went straight to the populace and not to him; still, their ignorance did not bother him.
Maturing is not an overnight process. It takes time, space and patience. People crawl before they can walk and walk before they can run.
Be Passionate About God
6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger. 7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they turned out as one man. 8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. (1 Sam 11:6-11)
In the summer of 2003, Southern California woke up to the rage of the eco-terrorrists, the Earth Liberation Front. They claimed responsibility for the fire at a Hummer dealership and for the vandalism of SUVs dealerships in San Gabriel Valley cities. A warehouse was destroyed and 40 Hummers and SUVs at the Hummer dealership there were torched or sprayed. The group made its move at 5 a.m. when the city was asleep. Not content with destroying, they also spray-painted anti-pollution graffiti and their groups’ name. The wreck included the destruction of 20 Hummers, the damage to 20 other vehicles, the torching of a warehouse and the financial loss of a million dollars. The dealership was ranked 11th nationwide in Hummer sales and sold an average of seven or eight Hummers a week. Ford, Mitsubishi and Mercedes-Benz dealerships in nearby cities and two cars parked on a street were also victims of the rage.
Before that, the ELF had claimed responsibility for a fire that destroyed a $50 million, five-story housing complex under construction in San Diego. The group has also previously vandalized sport utility vehicles at dealerships in other cities.
They declared war on car dealerships that sell gas-guzzling vehicles and any commercial entities that threaten or damage the environment. For years the group has passionately advocated harming those who harm earth and her resources.
Ironically, experts say that the ELF made a lot more pollution with the fire than all the burned SUVs would have spewed in a lifetime.
Passion can be a friend or an enemy. Anger can change the world and make it better or poison young minds and make things worse. The Bible discourages anger but not forbids it. It says, “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Eph 4:26-27) Centuries ago Aristotle said, “Anyone can become angry - that is easy. But to be angry at the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not easy.”
Passion should not be confused with personality. Extroverts do not corner the market on passion; introverts are just not that expressive about it. Saul was absorbed and diligent in farm work but he did not withdraw from the world. Some things did bother him. Behind the calm demeanor, aloof exterior and pubic withdrawal was a caring man that could not stand to see a crying village and a big bully. All the weeping got to him. There had to be a valid reason. He was not interested in the latest king watch or proving his own worth, but he was passionate about the people’s welfare and their desperate pleas.
Saul cared for people more than others knew or thought, and he was enraged. The Hebrew text said he was not just angry, but very or intensely angry. The Hebrew phrase “very angry” (v 6) occurs nine times in the Hebrew Scriptures, and this is the first recorded instance of great anger in the new land (Gen 4:5, 34:7, Num 16:15, 1 Sam 18:8, 2 Sam 3:8, 12:5, Neh 5:6, Jonah 4:1). His eyes were red, his blood was boiling and his face was black. He was like a raging bull and a blazing sun. The mild Saul felt violated by the threat and the terror that blanketed and surrounded Jabesh Gilead. The peasant king was horrified and disgusted at the thought of a whole region of people - men, women and children – losing their right eye. The people, including his father and the servants, had never seen him so enraged before.
Anger is a powerful agent of change, but in the wrong hands, it can be dangerous, destructive and even deadly. The anger of the mild-mannered and self-absorbed farmer boy was more than an act of indignation; it was an act of righteousness. Three characteristics of Saul’s anger qualify it as righteous anger. First, righteous anger is honorable. It is constructive not destructive. It is unleashed to obtain justice, right wrong and do right. Anger without restrain, rhyme or reason is not righteous. Righteous anger is calm, not chaotic. It is done to stabilize society and contain damage, not to undermine law or create fear.
Second, righteous anger is holy. Saul was not consumed by anger, but compelled by it. Man’s anger did not overcome him; God’s spirit did (v 6). Further, the people did not fear him, but feared God (v 7). The terror of the LORD, not the terror of Saul, fell on the people. The fear of God is wise and healthy, but the fear of God’s leader is disturbing and unhealthy.
Third, righteous anger is healthy. Anger did not conquer Saul, but it convicted others and corrected things. Saul’s anger resulted in action. The text does not tell us whom he was mad at. He could be furious at the Ammonites, at himself or even at the Israelites. More importantly, planned action, and not blind rage, was the outcome. They had unity (v 7), teamwork and strategy (v 11). Now they were unflinching in their opposition to their enemies, their obligation to one another and their obedience to Saul’s call.
Be Prepared to Forgive
12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring these men to us and we will put them to death.” 13 But Saul said, “No one shall be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.” 14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there reaffirm the kingship.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration. (1 Sam 11:12-15)
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are complete opposites on the issue of punctuality for more than 35 years of their life together. The president was a navy man and kept time dutifully like his father, who was always way ahead of time for an appointment and would leave a doctor’s office if he was kept waiting for more than ten minutes.
Carter could not bear to have others wait for him, but to his wife, running two or three minutes was not late. The president would often give this wife a dirty look if he had to wait at the door for her.
Once, on the morning of her birthday, the former president realized that he had forgotten her birthday and had not bought a present. He wondered what he could give her without going to his cousin’s antique store. Thinking about the things that caused trouble to their marriage, including forgotten birthdays and anniversaries, he wrote a note to her: “Rosalynn, I promise you that for the rest of our marriage, I will never make an unfavorable remark about tardiness.” Mrs. Carter enthused that it was the best birthday present he had ever gave her. (The Personal Beliefs of Jimmy Carter 75-76, Jimmy Carter)
It’s been said, “In taking revenge, a man is equal to his enemy; in passing over it, he is superior.”
After success on the battlefield, Saul shockingly defended the opposition and troublemakers before the populace and before Samuel (v 12). The pro-Saul crowd was unsympathetic to the non-supporters that derided Saul when Samuel was not around to defend his protégé (1 Sam 10:25-27); now the supporters broached the subject with Samuel present. Saul staked his early career on a group of worthless people, who apparently were not doers, but talkers, voicing their opinions while others were risking their lives. These critics had not gone to war; they stayed at home.
Saul did an astonishing thing for his detractors. He interrupted Samuel who was holding court, snatched the decision from Samuel’s hand and closed the book on the subject before the prophet could even speak. Of course, Samuel watched in approval. The verdict was announced with such force right there and then that no discussion was necessary and it was never mentioned again. The vindicated king excused the people that questioned his pedigree, personality and pride.
Saul’s forgiveness this time round of those who gave him a hard time was different to the last chapter when he was in the line of verbal fire. He had the power and opportunity to cause trouble and damage now, but he refused. Before, he could not say anything bad to his critics (1 Sam 10:27) because had done little or nothing to prove himself; now he did not say anything bad about them when he had the chance after proving himself on the battlefront. Further, his biggest backer, Samuel the prophet, was back in town. Saul’s critics criticized him only when Samuel was not around to defend his protégé or answer the criticisms (1 Sam 10:25).
Not only did Saul forgive the people who damaged his reputation, he refused to take credit for what he did. Not only did he say that God (v 13), and not Saul, was the one that delivered Israel, he also insisted that the day was a day of salvation, not punishment or death.
Conclusion: Patience is a virtue. A servant of God cares more for God’s things than his own feelings. Depending on the Lord, His power and His timing is paramount. Do you take your accomplishments and others’ criticism too personally or take things into your own hand? Are you who you are not? Do you act on what you believe and say what is true? Do you do things for the greater good and not for the vain glory?
Victor Yap
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