Reading
SAA Notes
In God’s grace, a link is formed in all the tragedy between the people of Jabesh Gilead and the Tribe of Benjamin. This becomes important later in Saul’s time. Most of the population of Jabesh Gilead apparently escaped, as the history related in 1 Samuel 11 testifies. The refrain in these two stories is: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” Lawlessness destroys. The people need a Messiah!
SJA Notes
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Again the lesson is hammered home in this passage – Religion without the Holy Spirit is useless, broken and fractured.
Israel wanted to do something good for Benjamin. They didn’t want their brother tribe to die out.
But the means by which they went about solving the issue (and reasons for the decisions) did not bring about peace.
As always though we see the Lord working good through our broken behaviour.
We can be thankful again that in Jesus we have a king who always does what is right. And right in the eyes of His Father.
We can follow Him, doing what He tells us, because we have His Spirit living within – Making our dead hearts alive, pointing us to Him each day.
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
* Father God Above,
These passages are full of trouble and terrible actions and bad decision-making.
But You work good through them!
Thank You Lord that You do the same in our lives, working good despite the folly that we choose.
Please refine us each day, make us more like Jesus.
Amen.