For the past two weeks, I have been talking about what makes a true leader. As we know, much of the wisdom that Christians follow is from God’s Word in the bible, so today we will learn from the bible how God appointed his leader, the king of Israel. The people of Israel wanted their own king like the other nations. In order to teach them, God showed them the problem of kingship through the reign of Samuel, yet they still asked for a king. Finally, the mighty God appointed Saul as their king.
Before Samuel was appointed, the people of Israel worshipped idols. They did not obey God and turned away from him. Thus, the mighty God appointed Samuel as the leader. Samuel trained the people of Israel to follow God. Later, they confessed their sins and came back to God at Mizpah. At Mizpah, and in response to the people’s prayers for a King, the mighty God called the people of Israel to set the first king over his kingdom of Israel.
The true king of Israel is the Lord God almighty. However, the people of Israel asked for their own king here on earth. So he reminded them how they were enslaved in Egypt, but were delivered by their mighty God. Later, when they were attacked by other nations, but their powerful God rescued his people from trouble and hardship every time. These examples remind us that as God was with the people of Israel, as he is still here with us, And thus we are reminded that we must follow God no matter where we go and what we do.
We are told that the people of Israel were weaker than other nations because the other nations had more powerful armies and weapons than Israel. So it was not easy for the Israelites to win against other nations. However, the Israelites were the chosen of the mighty God, who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. It was impossible for those nations to defeat the Israelites who were with God. For this reason, the people of Israel, who had been chosen, should have obeyed and depended upon God at all times.
There were 12 tribes in Israel. Among those, the Benjamin tribe was chosen by God. Among the Benjamin tribe, Matri’s clan was selected by God. Finally, Saul, son of Kish was chosen. In the bible, we are told that our God already appointed Saul as the king of Israel. The important thing for us to understand is that God’s chosen leaders must serve God and his people no matter where they go and what they do. It is interesting that when God appointed Saul to be the first king of Israel, the people could not find him.
1 Samuel 10:23-24. It says, “They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people." Then the people shouted, "Long live the king! Humans often look at the outer appearance when they choose people. Even Samuel looked at the outward appearance in choosing the second king of Israel. However our God looked at the heart of humans. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
When God appointed Saul, he wanted him to serve both God and his people. And Saul was appointed, so the people of Israel could live and work for God. As children of God, we have been chosen. So we must serve him and his people. We are not Kings, but we have been appointed to lead others to know and follow Jesus in this world.
Rev Dr Je Cheol Cook
The true king of Israel is the Lord God almighty. However, the people of Israel asked for their own king here on earth. So he reminded them how they were enslaved in Egypt, but were delivered by their mighty God. Later, when they were attacked by other nations, but their powerful God rescued his people from trouble and hardship every time. These examples remind us that as God was with the people of Israel, as he is still here with us, And thus we are reminded that we must follow God no matter where we go and what we do.
We are told that the people of Israel were weaker than other nations because the other nations had more powerful armies and weapons than Israel. So it was not easy for the Israelites to win against other nations. However, the Israelites were the chosen of the mighty God, who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. It was impossible for those nations to defeat the Israelites who were with God. For this reason, the people of Israel, who had been chosen, should have obeyed and depended upon God at all times.
There were 12 tribes in Israel. Among those, the Benjamin tribe was chosen by God. Among the Benjamin tribe, Matri’s clan was selected by God. Finally, Saul, son of Kish was chosen. In the bible, we are told that our God already appointed Saul as the king of Israel. The important thing for us to understand is that God’s chosen leaders must serve God and his people no matter where they go and what they do. It is interesting that when God appointed Saul to be the first king of Israel, the people could not find him.
1 Samuel 10:23-24. It says, “They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people." Then the people shouted, "Long live the king! Humans often look at the outer appearance when they choose people. Even Samuel looked at the outward appearance in choosing the second king of Israel. However our God looked at the heart of humans. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
When God appointed Saul, he wanted him to serve both God and his people. And Saul was appointed, so the people of Israel could live and work for God. As children of God, we have been chosen. So we must serve him and his people. We are not Kings, but we have been appointed to lead others to know and follow Jesus in this world.
Rev Dr Je Cheol Cook