You know, we sometimes sing a song titled “It’s Gonna Rain, and it includes the words “God got angry upon his throne”. Well it’s true. While God may be slow to anger, the book of Samuel tells of a time when God’s patience was tried. It tells of the story of Who, When and Why.
I know some of you wanna believe that God could never get angry, because he’s a good God. But just as we have to punish and chastise our children, God sometimes does the same.AMEN
The message you are about hear will tell of:
• pain and joy,
• anguish and happiness,
• destruction and survival,
• deception and prayer
• War and peace.
• It will tell of Who, when and why…….
But, before we get into the Who, When and Why’s, let’s understand a few things about a few of the players of this great event in the book of Samuel.
Now, you might be saying, now how can it be a great event? Well I always say that the bible has the greatest stories ever told, and the most powerful movies ever written. You just need to pick it up and start reading. So, set back, listen up and enjoy. AMEN
My message today’s is The Defeat of Amalek
Now at this point I would normally tell you who Amalek is, but there are other players in this message that leads up to him.
Anyway, there are three main players in this event that you need to understand more about before we begin.
They are Samuel, Saul, and Amalek. Who are they? And What did they do?
Samuel was the son of Hannah, a good woman, a selfless woman, a childless woman. Hannah prayed and cried for a son. She didn’t pray for herself. Her prayer was not selfish. She prayed that the Lord would give a man child to her hand maiden.
1 Samuel 1:11 states: And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
Hannah prayed and cried so much, the King Eli marked her that she no longer speak. In his mind she was no one. He thought she was just another drunk. He saw the outside appearance and assumed the inside. But she was persistent. Even if she couldn’t speak she continued to pray, and she continued to cry. Her cry was a spiritual cry of pain and sorrow. As Eli watched her, his admiration grew, and he would finally give her his blessings.
1 Samuel 1:17 states: Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
It would not be Hannah’s handmaiden that would bear the man child, it would be Hannah. Brothers and sisters, this in itself shows you, that your unselfish prayers could be answered as Hannah’s was. People all over the world pray. But there prayers may go unanswered. Just maybe that prayer is a selfish one. Just maybe they’re forgetting about the life that they’re granted. Just maybe they’ve forgotten how prayers can work around and though others.
• When you ask for that job, maybe you need to ask for a spirit of understanding.
• Instead of asking for that certain car, maybe ask for sufficient transportation.
• Instead of asking for beauty and fame, maybe ask for the spirit of God within you to be stronger, so that you light may shine through.
Hannah was given the gift of a man child. But even as Hannah was given this child, she didn’t praise the child, as we sometimes do. She was thankful for the gift God had given her.
1 Samuel 1:28 states: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
Samuel would become the Prophet Samuel. AMEN
Brothers and sisters, we have so many things to be grateful for. Somehow we think “WE” gave us all that we have. I’ve heard someone say, Why should I give God the glory for the food on the table, when I worked hard to earn the money to buy the food to put on the table. Oh my Lord!
We boast about homes, and cars. We tweet about shoes and style. We blog about our great jobs, but we should be more like Hannah and realize it’s God who gives according to our needs.
1Samuel 2:3 states: Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. AMEN
Now, let’s talk about Saul.
There were two persons in the bible with the name of Saul. One was depicted of on the road to Damascus, whose name was later changed to Paul. The other was King Saul, Son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. King Saul was on the scene in the time before Christ.
Young Saul just happened to be out searching for donkeys when the prophet Samuel would offer him hospitality. Saul would later be anointed King by none other than the profit Samuel.
Saul steps up to the challenge when the Ammonites would give a condition of surrender to the Jabesh-Gilead to be slaves, and for each of them to have their right eye removed. This was too much for Saul, so he leads an army to victory over the Ammonites. Afterwards, the people crowned him as King.
1 Samuel 11:15 states: And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
Saul would have many other accomplishments. He was said to be courageous, generous, respected and admired. Although he would have his failures, and young David would make him jealous, and he would lose his direction, he was a true King.
1 Samuel 14:47 states: So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. AMEN
Now let’s look at the bad guy of the story, Amalek.
If you don’t know, or can’t remember, Abraham had a son by the name of Isaac. Isaac and Rebekah bore twin sons. What were their names? Esau and Jacob.
Now for those of you familiar with the Old Testament, and one of my sermons, you’ll remember that Esau was the twin brother of Jacob. Esau was the first born of the twins, and held the birthright that would be bestowed upon him by his father Isaac.
History goes on to say that Esau’s foretold birthright meant little to him in comparison to his hunger. In his desire and hunger, he sold his birthright to his twin brother Jacob for a pot of beans. His desires of the flesh meant more to him than spiritual blessings. Esau was selfish, to say the least.
Genesis 25:30-34 states: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said; Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
The oldest of Isaac, (which was Esau), was entitled to twice the inheritance that any of his brothers got when their father died. And Esau was so consumed with fulfilling his fleshly desires that he willingly sacrificed his spiritual inheritance for what would satisfy him right now. The indulging of his appetite is what would leave thousands of lives in ruins. Now I need you to remember the attitude of Esau.
The Bible goes on to tell you Esau came in from the field, and went to his father for his blessing, and rightful birthright of inheritance. His father Isaac told him that he had blessed his brother, and that blessing would hold as fact.
Esau would now have to live a hard life, and work in the fields. He would have to work hard for what he wanted to eat, and would have to serve his brother as leader of the tribe.
Esau was selfish, but now he was also an angry man. AMEN
Esau would father a son which he would name Elifaz.
Elifaz would father many sons, one of which would be Amalek. Amalek’s mother was Timna. Therefore Amalek was the son of Elifaz and Timna, and the grandson of Esau.
Let me say that one more time……….
Esau would father a son which he would name Elifaz.
Elifaz would father many sons, one of which would be Amalek. Amalek’s mother was Timna. Therefore Amalek was the son of Elifaz and Timna, and the grandson of Esau.
Now, let’s talk about Amalek’s Mother, Timna. Yeah, his mamma! Right about now you might be asking yourself, why is he talking about Amalek’s momma?
Well brothers and sisters, I’m here to tell you, our heritage plays a part in our lives. The things done in the past sometimes settles in and waits for the right moment to affect our lives or our children’s lives.
Genesis 36:12 states: And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife
Timna was also the sister of Duke Lotan of the Horites. So it would seem, she didn’t have to be a concubine. Biblical history reads as thou she chose to be a concubine, maybe to become a part of the lineage of Abraham. My studies indicate that she was working under her own selfish desires.
Genesis 36:22 states: And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan's sister was Timna.
From this union would be born Amalek, the essence of evil.
Amalek is known in biblical history as the father of the Nation that first waged war against the Jewish people upon their miraculous emergence from Egyptian bondage. This was a nation of Amalekites, and there was a long history between the Amalekites and the Israelites.
Exodus 17:8-11 states: Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
The Amalekites pounded on a nation that was weak and down trodden. They were weary wounded and beaten. They were tired, worn, and frail. They had been in bondage under the Egyptian rule, to only be wondering in the wilderness for 40 years. Tempted by sin, tested and tried. They were God’s chosen people. Yet the Amalekites, like cowards, waited for this moment in time and struck the Israelites with no remorse.
Although the Israelites would prevail, God would say write down what has been done. Write down what Amalek has done against Israel. Write down their hatred. Write down their cruelty, don’t ever forget it. Amalek tried to cut off the arm of Israel. The Amalekites would have to pay. They would have to be rooted out.
Exodus 17:12-14 states: But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
Brothers and sisters, now you have it;
• the Profit Samuel,
• the warrior, King Saul,
• And the seed of selfishness, hate, and deception, Amalek.
They are the players. You now know who they are, and you know what they did. AMEN
That brings us to the why? Why did God get Angry?
God made a promise to Israel that the Amalekites would be destroyed. In case you didn’t know. God is all powerful, and God will take care of his children.
Deuteronomy 25:17-19 states: Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
From generation to generation, war was declared on the Amalekites. The war was personal! God had in essence vowed to blot out Amalek and the Amalekites. Through Samuel, he would choose Saul as the instrument to bring about justice. Saul had proven himself as a warrior and was destined to do what his life had led him to.
1 Samuel 15:1 states: Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.
It was now time for destiny to prevail. It was time for justice. And Saul was the man!
Brothers and sisters nothing is more compelling than the power of destiny. Amalek and the Amalekites seemingly inherited their their destiny. Their choice was to attempt to blot out God’s children at their weakest point. Their destiny would be paved in the history of biblical times for all to understand.
Brothers and sisters, God gave us freewill to choose good over evil and right over wrong. It’s your choice, whatever age. In this world there are good people and there are bad people: those who lovingly obey their God and those who stubbornly reject him. The Amalekites in their deeds rejected God. Lord! Lord!
God gave clear instructions. There was nothing to consider. There was nothing to ponder. It was said and Saul was chosen. He may not have wanted to go, but he was chosen. It was his destiny.
1 Samuel 15: 3 states: Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
Samuel made it clear that Saul was to be obedient to the command of God. He reminded him of the things that God had done for him. He reminded him, that through him, God had made him King over Israel. He had enjoyed the fruits of power and now he expects him to use that power for him.
So Saul put together his army. Two hundred thousand footmen and ten thousand men of Judah. It was an army to be reckoned. They traveled down to the nation of the Amalekites and waited.
Before they would battle, Saul would warn the Kenites to get out because destruction was coming. Their battle was not with them. Besides that, when the Israelites came out of the bondage of Egypt, the Kenites showed kindness to the children of Israel.
Brothers and sisters we, like Saul, have so much, and we should be an extremely thankful people. But it’s often just the opposite. The more we get, the less thankful we become, the less mindful of God we are, & the more we want.
God says, we’re His people, the sheep of His pasture. But most of us wanna be shepherds, not sheep. Saul was no different. It’s not any fun being sheep. But God says, "You be the sheep. Let me be the shepherd, & I’ll lead you beside the still waters & the green pastures”. “Just let me lead”. Saul was no different than us today. AMEN
• The next steps Saul takes will demonstrate his selfishness.
• The next moves Saul makes will show his greed.
• The next decision Saul crafts will show his utterly disobedience to God’s command.
Instead of Saul going in and destroying the Amalekites, he chose to change a few things. God expressly told him to kill and slay everyone and everything. Put to death every man, every woman, and every child. Slay every suckling, every ox and every sheep. Slaughter every camel and every donkey. He said there would be no pity, and there would be no covetousness. The time had come for the Amalekites to recompense for the injustice their ancestors had done to God’s children. Saul was the man chosen for this bloody task. AMEN
But wait, Saul decided to Spar Agag, because he was King, and probably for some other reason. Maybe for boast or for gold.
He then decided to spare the best of the cattle. Again for some other intent. He destroyed the worst of the litter, so we can only guess that he may have intended to use them or sell them.
These were both selfish decisions, and not the will of God. God said destroy all.
So Saul had to account for his disobedience to Samuel and Samuel would go into repentance for his choice of Saul as King.
1 Samuel 15:11 states: It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
But it was not Samuel that disobeyed. The repentance was not for him, it was for Saul. It was Saul that decided to disobey the express instructions of God. Saul even went so far as to set up a monument of his victory. He was in essence seeking the honor of men and forsaking the honor of God. He’s the one that should’ve been repenting, but instead, he was boasting of his victory. When Samuel asked him about his victory, he told him he was victorious in the quest that was asked of him. But Samuel said, I don’t think so.
1 Samuel 15:13-14 states: And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
Then the excuses came, and the blame game started. Saul said, well the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen. They were spared for a sacrifice for thine Lord.
Samuel said, well what about the King? Why choose to spare the life of the very people God asked you to destroy. But Saul insisted that he had done what he was supposed to do. He had spared the best of the flock and the King as a sacrifice to the Lord. He didn’t think he had done wrong. He had done what he believed was the wishes of his people. But he had in fact disobeyed Gods command. He had chosen to change God’s will.
Samuel would then say in 1 Samuel 15:23: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Samuel himself had to finish Saul’s job, and had the heart felt task of letting Saul know that he would no longer be king. Samuel would no longer see Saul until the day of his death. Lord! Lord!
In closing:
Brothers and sisters, just like Saul, we believe in God but don't fully obey God. We get spiritual guidance in our message or bible study, and refuse to actually do what we’ve learned.
That old devil steps in and drags us down. It’s a struggle for all mankind. It’s a struggle for you, and it’s a struggle for me, and it was failure for Saul.
But not only us!! It took the children of Israel forty years for them to complete a less than two week journey. They spent forty years wandering in circles instead of enjoying the prosperous land God promised them. They exhausted valuable time and energy going around and around the same mountain, passing through the same desert land because they refused to obey God’s directions.
The Children of Israel basically threw away forty years of abundant living in the land flowing with milk and honey because they allowed fear, rebellion and disobedience to block their promise.
It wasn’t the distance to the land that stood in their way of receiving the promise; it was the attitude of their heart.
Remember Jonah ,God told him to go to Nineveh and he tried to go a different direction. He bought a ticket to sail on a ship but got a first class seat in the belly of a whale before he turned himself around and decided, "I’LL DO WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO Lord!"
And Saul, King Saul, a Great man, that Samuel believed in. Samuel repented for. And Samuel had to let go. He was given clear direction to do God’s will, and in partial disobedience he would spare the king and the best of the flock. His seemingly partial disobedience was in fact disobedience. AMEN
Brothers and sister, we have a very wise and inventive God. And who are we, that we should ever know His ways? His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are greater than our thoughts, and about the time that we think we’ve got God figured out, he brings on another season, and surprises us with another of His various ways of working through people, events, and unexpected circumstances, in ways that we never thought possible, or probable, or even workable.
God puts eternity into our hearts, but we cannot know the beginning to the end. So we need to obey his direction in full. We shouldn’t decide to do it our way, or a seemingly easier way. The way has been chosen, and destiny is engraved. If we obey his direction fully, we’re sure to find the Promised Land.
So today why don’t you:
• Invite God into your life.
• Make God a part of your daily living.
• Study and obey His Word.
• Make an effort to find time to pray.
• Talk to God and seek his answer.
• Reverence God for His wisdom,
• Ask for it in everything you do.
• Maintain an attitude of gratitude.
• Stop looking over the fence.
• And enjoy the blessings that are bestowed upon you.
Remember God will have the final word, and everything He allows is working together for your good. AMEN
Brothers and sisters, sometimes we may want something that isn’t what God wants. Sometimes we aren’t patient enough to wait on God to fulfill His promises, so we manipulate circumstances with deception to accomplish what we think God’s will is.
It may be hard to be patient, and we may think it's ok to change things a bit. That’s the devils trick. Don’t fall for it.
We need to trust God so much that we trust Him with the results of honesty and patience. And believe me, it’s so good to know that we have a God that can be trusted. AMEN
Someone once said: Obedience is an act of faith; disobedience is the result of disbelief.
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