Psalm 106:1-18; 1 Samuel 10:17-27; Acts 7:44-8:1a; Luke 22:52-62
Not a truly auspicious beginning to Saul’s consecration as king. The people are first reminded that the only reason this is happening is that they have rejected God as king over them. Surely this also brought to mind, particularly to Samuel, the words he was given to speak concerning what kind of king they would have. Would Saul be that sort of king or would that one come at a later time? Here we see further signs concerning Saul’s choice by the Lord, first lots were drawn and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen as the tribe from which the king would be taken, then lots drawn and Saul indicated but Saul had hidden from them. With all these signs, how could Saul be so reticent to take this office? It is, in fact, partially to his credit that he is so humble at this point but it casts some doubt on his ability to be a leader. He certainly looks like God’s leader as they note that there is physically none like him. Samuel sets down the rules governing the kingship, an interesting idea. This king is subordinate to the King. As always, there is a mixed opinion of this king. There never seems to be a true consensus even when God clearly demonstrates who His chosen one is.
What a horrible story to have memorialized about you for all time. Peter fulfills Jesus’ prophecy concerning his denial of Jesus, in spite of his bold protestations he would never do such a thing. His fear of man overcame his love of Jesus. He lost his faith when he saw the power of these men over Jesus. He cared only for himself and when he heard the rooster crow his guilt and shame must have been overwhelming. His grief over the next few days would have been magnified by his own failures and how great his joy must have been when the resurrected Jesus did not chastise him or remind him directly of this failure but restored him gently and lovingly to leadership among his brothers (John 21). Like Saul, he hides from identification with God’s purpose and call on his life. This, however, is prior to the giving of the Spirit when Peter truly becomes a new man, the man he always wanted to be.
Stephen abruptly breaks off his sermonizing about other people, those who lived a thousand years before his time, and accuses his accusers of being just like these others. As Jack Nicholson’s character in the movie, A Few Good Men, said, “You can’t handle the truth.” The people here react with anger, cover their ears and shout in order to drown out the words of Stephen while He is seeing Jesus at the right hand of the Father and also speaking the words Jesus spoke from the cross as He died. As these are rejecting Stephen’s testimony concerning Jesus, Saul stands at the side, holding the cloaks of those throwing stones and approving of this action. Did Saul, like Peter, regret this moment every day of his life thereafter. He will need to be called out of his life and turned around in order to fulfill God’s purpose and plan for his life. Where are we hiding from God’s plan for us?
What God’s almighty power hath made His gracious mercy keepeth,
By morning glow or evening shade His watchful eye ne’er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of His might, Lo! all is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory.
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