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Scripture Reflection by Sang Sur on 1Samuel 13:2,4-6,15 posted February 5, 2020 - Prayer Tents
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Greatest leadership (and impact) occurs only when we trust God
600 vs. 9000+ ... who would win?
Continuing from last chapter, Israel was a weak nation. Philistines were powerful. They were so powerful that they could even prevent Israel from having blacksmiths.
Here, the newly kinged Saul had a small victory, but that led to an unexpected disaster. He began w 3,000 men, and when the Philistines found out about the attack, they mustered 3,000 chariots with 6,000 men for them and countless number of warriors. Also note that Israel did not have swords except for two people. Who should win?
This may be the setup for a miraculous intervention of God, but unfortunately, that is not what happened. The reason is because Saul did not trust God, but rather was engorged in his momentum of success (pride). In the end, he had 600 men left and they were all in hiding. God does deliver them in the coming chapters, but this is where we can see that we too may miss out on something great that God prepared for us because of our pride.
Other thoughts: people of Israel wanted a leader because things were so dire for them. If things were comfortable, why would people need you as a leader? So consider your calling. You may be called to attack 9000+ with 600 and trust the Lord. Would you do it?
Let us simply be thankful for past successes and not lean on them (become proud) to neglect future guidance from the Lord.
2Saul selected 3,000 special troops from the army of Israel and sent the rest of the men home. He took 2,000 of the chosen men with him to Micmash and the hill country of Bethel. The other 1,000 went with Saul’s son Jonathan to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. 4All Israel heard the news that Saul had destroyed the Philistine garrison at Geba and that the Philistines now hated the Israelites more than ever. So the entire Israelite army was summoned to join Saul at Gilgal. 5The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore! They camped at Micmash east of Beth-aven. 6The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns. 15Samuel then left Gilgal and went on his way, but the rest of the troops went with Saul to meet the army. They went up from Gilgal to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. When Saul counted the men who were still with him, he found only 600 were left!
1Samuel 13:2,4-6,15 (NLT)
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
New York, NY USA
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