Introduction
There have been, throughout history, several attempts to summarize the Bible in one sentence or even phrase. I like the one that says that the Bible is all about the fact that God is God and we are not. We could also summarize the whole Bible by saying that it is all about the fact that God is in control and we are not.
James recognizes that when he says that we should always say Lord willing because we don't really know what God has in store for us. Everything in our lives, what we consider good and what we consider bad, is the manifestation of the providence of God in our lives.
Jam. 4:13-15 – Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."
Paul tells us that all things are being worked, governed, orchestrated, the implication is by God, for the good of the elect of God.
Rom. 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
God uses things that are evil and that we can't understand why they have to happen or why they are happening right now to bring about his perfect plans. And he usually does that for our own benefit.
Gen. 50:19-21 – Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
This chapter and a half is about Saul's journey to the throne of Israel, but it is also much more than that. It is a clear example of God's providence working in history as we see Saul going from chasing donkeys to king of Israel.
I. A Great Definition of the Providence of God.
WCF 5:1, 4-5, 7 – God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy…. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his providence, that it extends itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men, and that not by a bare permission, but such as hath joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding, and otherwise ordering and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his own holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness thereof proceeds only from the creature, and not from God; who being most holy and righteous, neither is, nor can be the author or approver of sin…. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends…. As the providence of God doth, in general, reach to all creatures; so, after a most special manner, it takes care of his Church, and disposes all things to the good thereof.
II. We Meet Saul, the King like the King of the Nations, 9:1-3.
A. It is likely that by the time Saul is introduced to us he is close to being 40 years old (fairly soon in his reign, his son Jonathan was a major general in the field, which implies that Jonathan should be at least 20, 13:1).
B. Notice how chapter 9 begins much like chapter 1 did – indicates a new phase in the book; a shift from Samuel to Saul
1 Sam. 1:1 – Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
C. As far as appearance and social status go, Saul was the ideal candidate for king.
1. He was part of a powerful family.
2. At the same time, he was from the smallest tribe in Israel, which means that he would be perceived as less threatening to the other tribes and would be a good mediator between the two large tribes of Judah and Ephraim.
3. He was a fine physical specimen.
a. He was tall and handsome
b. He was well thought of by those around him – that is, he was a pleasant guy.
c. Saul is the only Israelite in the Bible identified by his height – usually Israel's enemies are identified by this characteristic.
D. Notice the contrast between Saul, the king like the kings of the nations, and David, the king after God's own heart.
1. In choosing the king that the people asked for, the qualities that the natural man admires will be the ones followed.
2. In giving the king that the people need, God uses a different set of qualities.
1 Sam. 16:6-7 – So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before Him!" But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lorddoes not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
E. As a side note, humanity hasn't really changed much since the days of Saul and Samuel.
1. Looks are still the most powerful quality in forming opinions about people.
2. Perhaps the most quantifiable exampled of this was the first ever televised presidential debate.
3. Yet even in the age of the "selfie," beauty continues to be fleeting.
F. Saul's name just happens to mean Asked For.
1. The answers to the elders' request for a king.
2. God is saying, "I am giving you exactly what you asked for."
III. Saul and the Donkeys That Happened to Escape, 9:4-10.
A. Donkeys were valuable animals in an agrarian society – shows Kish's wealth, 3.
1. So it makes sense that Kish is not sending just anyone – he sends his son to chase the donkeys.
2. Yet, he was sent his chief servant with him – lack of confidence in Saul's skills?
B. After several days of unsuccessful search, Saul and his servant just happen to be in the land of Zuph, 4-5.
1. We have been in Zuph before – that's where Samuel's family is from, and that's where he lives.
2. And Saul and his servant just happen to find themselves there – what's the chance?
"From this part of the narrative… we cannot but see how silently, secretly, often slowly, yet surely, [God] accomplishes his purpose." William Blaikie
3. Saul was not very good at chasing and finding donkeys, which might reflect badly on his ability to lead Israel.
4. In this sense, Saul is an anti-Christ.
a. The real King didn't chase donkeys.
b. He rode the donkey into Jerusalem.
C. Saul's servant just happens to know that there is a prophet nearby, 6-10.
IV. Some Young Women just Happen to Be on Their Way to Get Water, 9:11-14.
A. Not only they met the women who just happened to be on their way, Samuel had just arrived back from a trip – had they come a day earlier, they would not have met Samuel, 12.
"God's providence is a wonderful scheme; a web of many threads, woven with marvelous skill; a network composed of all kinds of materials, great and small, but so arranged that the very smallest of them is as essential as the largest to the completeness of the fabric." William Blaikie
B. As they hurried to the high place, Samuel just happened to come toward them, 14.
V. God just Happens to Have Given Samuel the Heads Up, 9:15-24
A. Both the night before and right when Samuel sees Saul, God told Samuel that Saul was the man, 15-17.
1. This helps us understand that nothing that happened so far in the story, just happened.
2. God appointed the runaway donkeys, the days of wandering, the young women to accomplish what he intended to accomplish.
B. Notice how strange it is that Saul doesn't know Samuel and doesn't seem to even know OF Samuel, 18-19.
1. Samuel's ministry focused on the area where Saul lived.
2. Saul's father, Kish, was a leading figure in the region and would have been invited to religious festivals.
3. Saul's servant knew of Samuel.
4. I think this points to the religious apathy and lack of interest in Yahweh on the part of Saul, which is exactly you would find in a king of the nations.
C. Samuel gives Saul a hint of what is to come, 20-21.
1. The donkeys were found, so don't worry about them.
2. Israel wants you!
D. Saul just happens to be the guest of honor at the party, 22-24.
"Again the overruling of providence is evident, for the two travelers have arrived just in time for a feast at which, unaware of it as they are, Saul will be guest of honour." R.P. Gordon
VI. Saul Becomes the Messiah like the Messiahs of the Nations, 9:25-10:13.
A. Samuel privately anoints Saul – there will be a public ceremony later on in chpt. 12, 9:25-10:1.
1. At this point, Saul becomes Israel's Messiah – the anointed one.
2. Israel was looking for a messiah other than Yahweh and they just got one.
B. The remaining verses in this section provide a series of three signs that are meant to prove to Saul that this anointed business is serious business and that Saul should really go to Gilgal at the appointed time, 7-8.
1. Two men about the donkeys, 2.
2. Three men on the way to sacrifice, 3-4.
3. The school of prophets, 5-6, 10-13.
VII. Saul just Happens to Fear Man more than He Fears God, 10:14-16.
A. Saul's uncle finds all this activity a bit suspicious and wants to know what happened during Saul's unsuccessful pursuit of his father's donkeys, 14-15.
B. But Saul is unwilling to talk about what the Lord did, 16.
Application & Conclusion
· The doctrine of the providence of God is only beautiful if understood through God is as reflected in Jesus Christ.
ü When we see God as he reveals himself to us in his Son, we see him as a good, compassionate, kind, merciful God.
ü In Jesus, all his promises are yes and amen – so even in times of suffering we can still be confident that he loves us.
ü We know we have a God who in Christ will never leave us or forsake – this idea governs his sovereignty over us.
· The doctrine of the providence of God gives meaning and purpose to suffering.
ü Suffering exists, it's real, and comes from the hand of God.
ü If God is not in control of all things or if God doesn't exist, then all suffering is purposeless.
Let's comfort ourselves with this truth: God is sovereign and in his sovereignty he governs over all our affairs with a loving disposition toward those who believe in Jesus.
Is. 43:1-2 – But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called youby your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2015/03/gods-providence-from-chasing-donkeys-to.html
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