"Make Us A King To Judge Us": Why?

"Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways" (a portion of 1 Samuel 8:5).

Hello To All:


How often do we ask the question: Why?  It could be argued that this one word is our most common corporate and individual effort to penetrate into the unknown. If we are to be in control, then we must know the unknown. Our human nature becomes nervous with regards to anything that is a mystery. We cannot control what we do not understand. Our universal problem is that our fallen and sinful human nature desperately wants to and needs to be in control!

It could also be argued that this letter, that this essay, is done. The answer to the "why," in the title to this posting, goes right to the sinful condition of God's chosen people: the people of Israel. As it is written: "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Sinners everywhere (and this includes God's chosen people) want to be in control. Perhaps the most significant way that we seek to be in control, is with regards to the choices that we make concerning the path that we are willing to follow. This is what Israel was doing when they cried out: "Make Us A King To Judge Us."

But, the fullness of what our Lord Jesus Christ chooses to reveal to us, would be lost to us, if we were to stop here. Yes, because of their sinful condition, Israel wanted a king "like all the nations." On one level, this answers the question: "Why?" But, there is more, much more to this "why," that we are asking! Let us take a closer look at our opening text. Join with me in turning to the King's Book and looking at the full text of 1 Samuel 8:4-5.

(4) "Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah," (5) "And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all nations."

The "elders of Israel" make two statements as justification for their demand: "Now make us a king to judge us like all nations." It could be argued that both statements are directed to Samuel in such a way as to compel him to do what they demanded of him. First they take Samuel to task by stating the obvious: "Behold, thou art old." The truth of this indictment 
is confirmed by the opening verse of chapter 8: "And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel." Second they take him to task for the behavior of his sons: "Thy sons walk not in thy ways." The confirmation of this second indictment is found in verse 3: "And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes and perverted judgment."

The elders of Israel were seeking to use these two indictments to convince Samuel to: "Make us a king to judge us like all the nations." The text compels us to believe that the elders of Israel believed that Israel had a problem and that the solution to that problem was to compel Samuel to: "Make us a king to judge us like all the nations." We find confirmation of this in verse 3 where it is recorded that the judgement of the current judges (Samuel's sons) was "perverted judgement." The problem was not with Samuel. The problem was with the sons of Samuel and there failure to properly judge Israel. They were not the leader that Samuel was and the "elders of Israel" were concerned that when Samuel was gone, the failed leadership of his sons would be the ruin of Israel!

Thus, it can be rightly argued that the answer to the "why" from the title to this letter, is directly related to the elders perception that there was a failure of leadership on the part of the sons of Samuel. Samuel was not the problem. The elders approached Samuel in an effort to convince him to provide a solution to their perceived problem. The sons of Samuel "walked not in his ways" and "perverted judgement." The elders turned their backs to the sons and were looking for a new leader: "Make us a king to judge us like all the nations."

Please note: The elders difficulty, in this letter my beloved, is referenced as a "perceived problem." The failed leadership, on the part of the sons of Samuel, was a real problem. The sons had failed and Israel had a real problem. But, there perception was clouding their judgement. They thought that the solution to their perceived problem was a "king to judge us like all the nations." But, their perception was too shallow and their real needs much deeper.

It can be argued that this matter of perception, along-side the question of "why," are potentially two of the of the most destructive forces in our lives. Given free reign, they are a manifestation of our sinful and fallen nature. They are the areas where our natural mind most often asserts itself. They are the areas where we are most inclined to pass judgement and where we are most inclined to make bad decisions. The elders of Israel had passed judgement and were on the brink of making, what was for them, a very bad decision.

None of us are immune to the influence of our natural mind and our sinful flesh. None of us are immune to wanting to be in control. None of us are immune to perceptions that lead us into error. And, "none of us," includes myself. This elder struggles with wanting to be in control. This elder struggles with perceptions that seek to take my focus off of Jesus of Nazareth. This is the same Jesus who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Amen and Amen and Amen!

When my focus shifts: Jesus always brings me back. Thank you Jesus!

My beloved, being reminded that none of us are immune, I invite you to look back to the last two letters posted in this forum. The last one was dated August 4, 2015. It has been a long time since I have written. It has been a struggle getting to this place of understanding. I have made reference, in previous letters, about the challenges in writing these letters. The challenges are real; but, Jesus is greater then my weakness. His strength always brings me through. Thank you Jesus! Amen and Amen and Amen!

For many months, it has been a mystery to me with regards to why I was unable to write. On a number of occasions, I thought the time for writing was at hand; and the time passed and nothing was written. Back in November of 2015, I actually sat down and began to write. The first few paragraphs of this letter were written; and then, there was nothing. It became very clear to me that I was missing something. Our Lord Jesus Christ was trying to teach me something; and I was missing it. I did not understand! 

When I am not writing, I am being prepared to write. The most important part of this preparation is finding that special place of understanding. An understanding of truth does not come from our own intellect. It can come only from Jesus Christ. Victorious discipleship can only be achieved in and through Jesus Christ. And, patiently and mercifully, Jesus brought my focus to where it needed to be. The stumbling block that was keeping me from writing was revealed. My problem was a problem with perception. My problem was a problem with control. My problem was a problem with sin - my sin!

On May 7, 2015, the first letter in this series titled - "Make Us A King To Judge Us" - was posted. Near the end of that letter I made this statement: "But, as we shall see, the next time we gather, Israel suffered because of their choice." Sounds like a real interesting topic; and perhaps, someday, under the direction of Jesus Christ, we shall look at how Israel suffered. But, the problem for me, was that the next time we gathered, this topic was not spoken of. My perception was in error. My perception was a problem!

The next time we gathered was on August 4, 2015. The second letter in this series was posted. Near the end of that letter I made this statement: "When next we gather, we shall take a closer look at this clash between the apostles and the institutional authority of their day; and the relationship of this clash to the desire of ancient Israel to : "Make Us A King To Judge Us."" Again, this sounds like a real interesting topic; but, as you can see from this letter, that topic is not being discussed. My perception was in error. My perception was a problem!

Now, it could be argued that these are minor points; and they should not have caused a problem. But, from God's perspective: sins is sin! In these two events, I was trying to control the flow of the message. My fallen intellect had asserted itself. At the time, I did not recognize this; but, none-the-less, I had sinned; and that sin had to be dealt with before I could be made ready to write again. It was just in this last week that this became clear to me.

In this forum, I am the messenger and Jesus Christ controls the flow of the message. But, none of us can fully serve Christ, if we allow our sinful nature to be in control. I cannot properly be a messenger, if I think that the message comes from me.

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus