1 Samuel 19.24 He
stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay
naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also
among the prophets?” – A Saying
Recently, a friend of mine posted an excellent article (on
Facebook) about Biblical questions and why they are so important for us to
ponder. Questions like: Am I my brother’s
keeper? What is Truth? The idea behind the article was not so much having
the answers, but answering the questions.
The Bible asks profound questions, and a sign of the
Scripture’s power, is when we heed those questions. Not every question will
resonate with us, but some ought, because they are divinely inspired to cause
us to seek the answer. What does this
mean to me, and why is it asking?
The story of King Saul begs a lot of questions: why did
God promote a Benjamite to the throne when the kings were to be called from
Judah? Why was Saul first advanced, then later rejected? Why is Saul among the prophets? What
is he doing now?
The Bible asks us questions now so that we can thoughtfully grapple
with them now, before they are demanded of us later. The questions are there,
and always have been; but are we listening? Is
Saul among the prophets? If we ignore God’s questions now, how will we,
when He asks, answer them later?
As a king, Saul’s track record was horrible. He was weak,
jealous, and small-minded. Everything we wouldn’t want in a leader, Saul was. But
Saul wasn’t really in charge and I think he knew it. Saul’s faith was weak. But
he had power to great harm when he felt like it. And God attempted to remind him Who was really in control. Is Saul,
our king, among the prophets? And: Why, is he laying naked, prophesying, at
Naioth in Ramah? I thought he was on his way to kill David and Samuel! I’m
confused!!
God isn’t/wasn’t confused. God was giving king Saul one
more opportunity to repent. It isn’t about power, but presence. It isn’t about
control, but cooperation. Why are things happening in my life that I seem so inadequate
to face? Is it because, perhaps, like Saul, I’m trying to ignore God Who’s
trying to get my attention? Will I stubbornly continue to do the Saul: depending on myself, and doing whatever
seems right to me? Or will others ask: What’s
gotten into him!?
Father God, am I among the prophets, and are people
asking: why – why is he doing what is so
unexpected of him? They know the regular me. They know and expect me to do
as I always do. Are they asking: Why is
he acting so strangely!? Father, may I cooperate with You, and yield the
things of my life to You. May I hear Your voice, and seek Your face. And may
the answer to the questions be: Because
I, Paul’s God, have gotten his attention. Amen
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