Wednesday, 3 September 2014

THE LORD DOES NOT SEE AS MORTALS SEE


As I was meditating on the scripture passage in I Samuel Ch.16 : 1-13, the Holy Spirit taught me certain truths, which I have not thought of earlier, even though it is a familiar passage in the Scripture. It has to tell us about the choices of a 'king' , made by prophet Samuel, Jesse father of David and the LORD himself.

The LORD rejected King Saul, due to his conduct which went contrary to the commands of the LORD.  Samuel was very sad, that the people wanted a king like the nations around them, and went ahead pressing the LORD to give them a king, in spite of the warning issued by Samuel, that the LORD told him. The LORD confronts Samuel and asked him,"How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being a king over Israel...."

Then the LORD told Samuel to anoint another man as king in place of Saul. He was going to show that man to Samuel. According to the LORD's word,  the prophet went to Bethlehem to meet a man called  Jesse, at a sacrificial celebration. Samuel was hosting it and invited Jesse and his sons for the same. When the sons of Jesse came over, Samuel was impressed by the looks and stature of Eliab, the eldest and he thought that the LORD has chosen him.

The LORD declared that " I do not see as people see; Men look at the face ; but I look at the heart." (v.7). 

 Jesse, then made his sons to pass before Samuel, in the familial hierarchy, Abinadab followed by Shammah, both being mighty warriors in Saul's army, followed his seven sons in order. The LORD chose  none and had all of them.

Samuel inquired whether they were all the sons of Jesse. God's prophet had felt the move of God clearly and did not stop after the seventh son of Jesse passed before him. That question led Jesse to confess, there was yet another, David the youngest who was shepherding his flock. He was the one chosen by the LORD, though he was very young!! God ' chose the man with the heart of a shepherd'. That was the eligibility criterion to be chosen as 'king to succeed Saul!!'

What a contrast!! The parent's  choice went by the sibling hierarchy. The prophet of God got impressed by the height and stature of 'the king to be' . The Almighty LORD chose by the 'heart that would be concerned about the flock and tend His people .

Is it not heartening to know this, when we feel dejected considering how our kith and kin look at us or  some spiritual leaders look at us? How good our Saviour regards ourselves irrespective of our worth but considers the faithfulness with which we follow him. His choice is an 'inside out ' choice.

Glory be to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit! Amen!

The LORD declared that " I do not see as people see; They look at the face ; but I look at the heart." (I Sam 16:7). 

4 comments:

  1. I too went to this chapter many time, but when I read this one question struck, what made Samuel to ask that question, then, why God dint tell Samuel directly to choose David? Why Samuel has to see all the son's of Jesse?

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    1. May be that Samuel would see the choice of God as different from people's choice!! If he had not seen the elder sons, in later years Samuel might have even doubted the adequacy of David to rule Israel!! King Saul was a man of impressive stature, we read.

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    2. Thank you aunty for your answer. Let God give me more knowledge and wisdom to understand His word. Thanking for sharing.

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  2. Surely the Lord will pour the water of His word on hungry souls. The Holy Spirit is our teacher. God bless you as you wished..

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