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Chapter 16 The Saul Generation
Chapter 16
The Saul Generation
The church throughout the ages has been lacking the full measure of the glory and Presence of the Almighty. Christianity is not standing as a bright beacon light in this dark and decaying world. The “Church,” in these last days, while accomplished at bringing the message of “Salvation”, has not been overwhelmingly successful in bringing multitudes out of darkness. "The body" has fallen prey to doctrines and traditions of men, giving way to the “darkness” of apathy, complacency, lukewarmness and discontent among its members. Empty forms of religion have evolved becoming increasingly offensive and repulsive, rather than glorious and appealing to the multitudes.
The third and fourth century church was becoming unfamiliar with the Old Covenant scriptures and the knowledge of YAHveh, the Mighty One of Israel. Consequently, Christianity became increasingly detached from its Holy Jewish Root. New "doctrines and traditions of men" rather than the presence of the Spirit of Truth began to dominate the church.
Centuries before, Apostle Paul had warned;
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers (forming a manmade religious system) in accordance to their own desires. . . ”
(2 Ti 4:3)
In studying King Saul's reign over Israel, we find a consistent parallel in the history of Christianity. That is, a "SAUL MENTALITY" giving rise to a "Saul Generation" within the church system. Let us look into the scriptural account of King Saul as we allow the Spirit of Truth to enlighten our hearts and minds to this vital analogy.
Israel in the time of Saul, like Christianity in the time of Constantine, was fiercely persecuted. The sole kingship of YAHveh was no longer welcomed. They wanted a man's leadership to protect and reign over them. Both cried out: "We want a King to rule over us." Consequently Israel received Saul as leader and Christianity embraced an organized religious system with its ensuing denominations.
YAHveh's response to their demand was,
“IF YOU WILL FEAR YAHVEH AND SERVE HIM, AND LISTEN TO HIS VOICE AND DO NOT REBEL AGAINST THE COMMAND OF YAHVEH, then both you (the Church) and also the king (Christian leadership) who reigns over you will follow YAHveh your God (good!). “And if you will not listen to the voice of YAHveh, but rebel against the command of YAHveh, then the hand of YAHveh will be against you, as it was against your fathers.”
(1Sa 12:14-15)
Saul's greatest rebellion parallels Christianity's greatest error. Saul was commanded to annihilate Israel's ancient enemies, the Amalekites.
“Thus says YAHveh of hosts, ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. ‘Now go and strike Amalek and UTTERLY DESTROY ALL THAT HE HAS, and do not spare him; put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”
(1Sa 15:2-3)
It is important to remember that YAHveh, the Almighty, keeps records of Israel's enemies; His promise "to completely blot out Amalek" was sovereignly proclaimed and written by Moses in a scroll of remembrance centuries before. (Ex 17:14) Even that which seemed harmless and good in the enemy camp (the world system) was to be destroyed; never to be brought into the Holy camp.
The redeemed remnant is to understand and fully obey YAHveh's perfect will. They are to completely separate themselves from the pagan world and destroy from their lives all vestiges of carnality, lusts, greed, pride, lies, and pagan traditions. Like Saul and his army who were commanded to blot out Amalek, the redeemed holy army is to actively combat Israel's arch enemy, anti-Semitism. There must be no trace of this venom within YAHshua's holy camp.
“BUT SAUL and the people SPARED Agag and THE BEST of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and WERE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY THEM UTTERLY; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.”
(1Sa 15:9)
“Then the word of YAHveh came to Samuel, (who is a type and symbol of the Holy Spirit) saying, “I REGRET that I have made Saul king, FOR HE HAS TURNED BACK FROM FOLLOWING ME, AND HAS NOT CARRIED OUT MY COMMANDS. . . ”
(1Sa 15:10,11)
Church history bears witness that many church leaders and individuals have been the embodiment of the "Saul mentality." In self-justified disobedience, they have misinterpreted and distorted the Word of YAHveh which resulted in many tainted religious doctrines and traditions. YAHveh declares through Jeremiah:
“. . . every man’s own word will become the oracle, and you have perverted the words of the living God, YAHveh of hosts, our God.”
(Jer 23:36)
The FILLETING of Messiah
The manipulation and distortion of truths into man's doctrines was the FILLETING of Messiah. Over the centuries many leaders have picked and chosen the preferred parts that would appeal to the religious appetite of the former pagan masses.
The parts of YAHshua's character that convey His Hebrew root and Jewish essence have been largely discarded and labeled as unappealing and unimportant to corporate Christendom.
Let us continue with the parallel study of the "Saul mentality." Grieved, Samuel sought out the rebellious king. He found Saul puffed up with pride having
“. . . SET UP A MONUMENT IN HIS OWN HONOR. . . ”
(1Sa 15:12 NIV)
Saul, clothed in arrogance and self deception, justified his disobedience by saying:
“. . . I have carried out the command of YAHveh.”
(1Sa 15:13)
This is the tendency of rebellious human nature to rationalize its disobedience in the face of the Spirit of Truth.
There are many religious systems, denominations, congregations, and individuals who have compromised the perfect will of God. Many are in self-righteous deception as they justify their desires, agendas, and building programs to set up monuments in their own honor.
The Holy Spirit's reply to Saul and to all who tend to compromise His word,
“. . . “What then is this bleating of the sheep. . . and lowing of the oxen which I hear?” The hypocritical King Saul answered: “They (the soldiers) have brought them from the Amalekites, FOR THE PEOPLE SPARED THE BEST of the sheep and oxen, to sacrifice to YAHveh your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed.”
(1Sa 15:14,15)
The Holy Spirit replied,
“. . . YAHveh sent you on a mission, and said, 'Go and UTTERLY DESTROY the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are exterminated.’ “WHY THEN DID YOU NOT OBEY THE VOICE OF YAHVEH, BUT RUSHED UPON THE SPOIL (POUNCED ON THE PLUNDER) AND DID WHAT WAS EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF YAHVEH?” Then Saul said to Samuel, “I did obey the voice of YAHveh. . . “But the people took some of the spoil, sheep, and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to YAHveh your God. . . ”
(1Sa 15:18-21)
“And Samuel said, “Has YAHveh as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of YAHveh? BEHOLD, TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE. . . “For rebellion is as the sin of divination (witchcraft), and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of YAHveh, He has also rejected you from being king.”
(1Sa 15:22-23)
Saul began to squirm in the face of truth. Like many religious leaders and individuals, Saul justified his disobedience by shifting the blame, saying:
“. . . I FEARED THE PEOPLE AND LISTENED TO THEIR VOICE”
(1 Sa 15:24)
Many religious leaders and professing believers speak only what "itching ears want to hear". They rationalize their hypocrisy in order to maintain their reputations, programs, congregational numbers and self-made monuments. Saul's heart was more concerned with his reputation than grieved over his sins. At times we can all shamefully relate to this.
Saul begged Samuel,
“. . . return with me, that I may worship YAHveh.” The outraged prophet replied, “I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of YAHveh, and YAHveh has rejected you from being king over Israel.”
(1Sa 15:25,26)
We have witnessed the downfall of many Christian denominations, leaders, and individuals. With self justification they have set their own agendas, and built monuments in their own honor, rather than walking in humble obedience to the Almighty's commands. Their fate is similar to King Saul's who grieved YAHveh, causing His Holy Spirit to depart.
In panic Saul grabbed hold of Samuel's robe and it tore.
So Samuel said to him, “YAHveh has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you (the coming "David Generation").”
(1 Sa 15:28)
“And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.”
(1 Sa 15:29)
Rather than godly sorrow leading to true repentance, Saul was consumed with his own self image and interests. He begged Samuel,
“. . . please honor me now before the elders of my people. . . and go back with me. . . ”
(1Sa 15:30)
“And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And YAHveh regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel. . . Now the spirit of YAHveh departed from Saul. . . ”
(1Sa 15:35 and 16:14)
The Spirit left Saul as an empty, tormented, jealous man. He continued to reign by his own fleshly, powerless might as his life deteriorated into serious spiritual and emotional turmoil. Such has been the condition historically for multitudes. Perhaps even you and I have fallen into this turmoil at various times because of self-will and compromise.
The apostle Paul admonished the Gentile believers to pay close attention to Israel's history.
“Now these things happened as EXAMPLES FOR US, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved. . . and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages have come. Therefore LET HIM WHO THINKS HE STANDS TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL.”
(1Co 10:6,11,12)
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