1 Samuel chapter 8 sounds like a wake up call to parents. The universal cry against Mom and Dad’s standards is “but everyone else is doing it, why can’t we?” As the chapter begins, we learn, “When Samuel grew old he appointed his sons as judges over Israel“. Sadly we also learn, “But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice“. Unknown to Samuel or his sons, their “turning aside” would change the nation forever. I have a burden for the next generation. They will become the leaders of our nation, leaders of the body of Christ and parents of the generation that follows. Parenting is an awesome responsibility. The lack of integrity of Samuel’s sons created a platform for rebellion. The elders of Israel came to Samuel and said, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have“. “This displeased Samuel, so he prayed to the Lord.” Faithful Samuel does exactly what he should; he seeks to know God’s will. And listen to the compassion and hurt in the words of God. “It is not you that they have rejected, but Me as their king“.
God told Samuel, “Now listen to them, but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do“. What great advice for parents to hear! Nothing frustrates a child more than when mom and dad will not listen to them. Then as parents, our responsibility is to warn them of the dangers ahead. If you fail to listen, do not be surprised if they do not receive the warning. In contrast to how God GAVE His children what they needed, the King will TAKE what he needs. “He will take your sons and make them serve… plow his ground and reap his harvest… make weapons of war… he will take your daughters… he will take the best of your fields… he will take a tenth of your grain…the best of your cattle… for his own use… and you yourself will become his slaves… you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen and the Lord will not answer you in that day“. Sadly we read, “But the people would not listen“. Through infancy and childhood and even into young adulthood we are responsible for our children’s actions, but at some point they must make their own decisions and make their own mistakes. Even if you do not have children of your own, we all have the responsibility of mentoring. Remember, Samuel’s mentor was not his father, but Eli the priest.
The people told Samuel, “No! We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations“. Very often, being just like everyone else is not the best thing, but God allows all of us the free will to choose to serve Him or to reject Him. With a broken heart God told Samuel, “Listen to them and give them a king“. Revelation chapter 3 speaks to the one who is in the middle of the road, not fully submitting to God but not wanting to reject Him. Jesus compares this person to a hot meal served cold, “So because you are luke-warm neither cold nor hot I am about to spit you out of my mouth“. But the chapter ends with a picture of hope, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me“. It’s not easy to be different from everyone else, but the rewards are eternal.