HOLY TO YAHVEH WORKBOOK LESSON SIX - THE SAUL GENERATION

6

The Saul Generation

(Study Guide for Chapters 16-17 of Holy to YAHveh)

            YAHveh is building into you a spiritual maturity that will continue to develop only to the degree that you are willing to count the cost at each new juncture where the road gets narrower.  This will require you to give up more of that which is inferior in exchange for more of His life changing presence and truth.  He is raising up an army who will never turn back.  He is grooming them to be  mighty warriors for His name sake and for the advancement of His holy kingdom.  

1.         Begin your personal study by opening your Bible to 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11-12.  Note below why we are instructed to study the Old Testament and the history of YAHveh’s people, Israel.

2.         In order to help us understand the shortcomings and sins of historic Christianity, chapter 16 of Holy to YAHveh deals with lessons from King Saul’s reign over Israel.  As you saw in the preceding verses, these things happened as warnings and examples for us.  Study the Scripture passages listed below.  As you read these, ask yourself who is described in the passage, what happens in the passage, when and where does it happen, and why and how does it happen.  

a.         1 Samuel 8:1-9 - Israel demands a king.

b.         1 Samuel 8:10-18 - Israel is warned.

c.         1 Samuel 8:19-20 - The response of the people.

d.         1 Samuel 12:13-15 - YAHveh grants their wish, but gives another warning.

e.         1 Samuel 15:1-3 - Saul’s instructions for battle.

f.          1 Samuel 15:7-9 - How Saul carried out those plans.

g.         1 Samuel 15:10-11 - YAHveh’s evaluation of Saul’s obedience.

h.         1 Samuel 15:12 - Samuel looks for Saul.

i.          1 Samuel 15:13 - Saul’s evaluation of his own obedience.

j.          1 Samuel 15:14-19 - Samuel confronts Saul.

k.         1 Samuel 15:20-21 - Saul justifies his actions.

l.          1 Samuel 15:22-23 - Samuel’s response.

m.        1 Samuel 15:24 - Saul’s excuse for disobeying.

n.         1 Samuel 15:26-29 and 16:14 - The consequences of Saul’s partial obedience and lack of true repentance.

3.         Now read chapter 16 of Holy to YAHveh.  As you read, you will notice that the text parallels events from the life of Saul with events and attitudes seen in Christianity’s religious system.  Listed below are elements of the Saul account.  Below each, write the parallel seen in historic or contemporary Christianity.  The first one is done for you.

a.         Israel’s demand for a king (rather than YAHveh as sole ruler).

Christianity wanted human leadership instead of the sole authority of the Holy One of Israel as their leader, so they created an organized religious system giving rise to denominational Christianity.

b.         YAHveh’s warning in response to the demands of Israel.

c.         YAHveh’s instructions for Saul to annihilate the Amalekites.

d.         Saul’s disobedience by sparing the best of the plunder.

e.         Saul’s setting up a monument in his own honor.

f.          Samuel’s confrontation of Saul.

g.         Saul’s people-pleasing and consuming concern for his own reputation.

h.         YAHveh’s rejection of Saul as king.

i.          YAHveh’s Spirit departing from Saul.

4.         Chapter 16 opens with these statements:

          Throughout the ages, the church has been lacking the full measure of the glory and presence of the Almighty.  Christianity is not standing as a bright beacon in this dark and decaying world.  In these last days, the church has become quite accomplished at bringing the message of salvation.  However, it has not been overwhelmingly successful in bringing the multitudes out of darkness.

            Please underline any statements you agree with in the preceding paragraph.  In light of your study of the reign of Saul, what reason can you give for the church’s overwhelmingly lack of “the full measure of the glory and presence of the Almighty”?

5.         Read chapter 17 of Holy to YAHveh.  As you read the beginning of this chapter, add to your work in exercise 3 of this lesson by listing anything new that you learn about the ways in which organized Christianity parallels the Saul account.

            King Saul “pounced on the plunder” of the Amalekites, sparing what he thought was good rather than utterly destroying it as YAHveh had commanded.  He compromised the Almighty’s instructions, and His partial obedience (i.e., disobedience) caused YAHveh to withdraw His Spirit.  In chapter 17 you will learn that over the centuries corporate Christianity has also compromised with the world.  The church has mixed the holy things of YAHveh with the impure, pagan, and common-and has justified its compromises by claiming that it has “spared the best” for God.

            As you read chapter 17, please take detailed notes on the worldly compromises made by the “Saul generation” with regard to:

a.         The origins of Christmas and its traditional celebrations.

            1.  What is Winter Solstice and when was it celebrated?

            2.  Who conveniently whitewashed this unholy festival and mixed it                  with the pure Messianic faith?

            3.  What were some of the pagan celebrations on December 25th?

            4.  In the past what kind of efforts were made to expose and                 abolish the pagan rooted traditions of Christmas?

b.         Now answer the following questions regarding Easter.

            1.  Where does that name come from?

            2.  Is it holy to YAHveh?

            3.  What happened at the Council of Nicea regarding the celebra-       tion of the resurrection of Messiah?

            4.  What was the pervading attitude at this meeting towards the                      holy Hebrew root?

6.         What is most likely the Jewish biblical feast that Messiah’s birth occurred on?  When is this?

7.         What feasts were fulfilled by YAHshua Messiah’s:

a.         death

b.         resurrection

c.         the outpouring of His Holy Spirit

            Many of these feasts will be celebrated in the coming Messianic kingdom. Christianity’s man made pagan tainted traditions are not scripturally ordained and will therefore pass away with this world’s religious system. They will have no place in the righteous kingdom to come.

            Every true believer should seek to enhance their understanding of these biblically appointed times which are a foreshadowing and a portrait of YAHshua Messiah.           Because of the focus of Holy to YAHveh this issue was only lightly touched upon. There are many book available on the Feasts of Israel as described in Leviticus 23.  My radio ministry, In YAHshua’s Name, offers a six tape audio series covering all seven feasts including the Sabbath.  If you are interested in further information you can call 1-800-987-9811.

8.         Read YAHveh’s neglected instructions to the priesthood in Ezekiel 44:23   concerning the distinction between the holy and the common.

            Now read Malachi 2:8-9, which speaks of the Almighty’s judgments on the compromised priests who showed partiality or favoritism in applying His truths.  Briefly summarize the cause for YAHveh’s displeasure with the priests and how it applies to what you have learned in this chapter.

 Questions for Group Discussion

1.         According to 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11-12, why are Gentile believers instructed to study the Old Testament and YAHveh’s dealings with Israel?

2.         Saul was appointed king over Israel after the people of Israel demanded a human ruler.  What incident does the text refer to as Saul’s greatest error of rebellion?  Discuss the details of this episode.

3.         What do you think displeased YAHveh the most about this incident?

4.         When confronted with his sin, how did Saul respond?  Do you think his sorrow over his sin was genuine?  Why or why not?

5.         What were the consequences of Saul’s sinful compromise?

6.         In YAHveh’s eyes, does partial obedience of His expressed will constitute obedience or disobedience?  How do you know?  Use the life of Saul as the basis for your answer.

7.         The text parallels the compromise of Saul with the compromises of corporate Christianity throughout history.  In your opinion, how do these compare?

8.         The text states in chapter 16:

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 erroneous doctrines and traditions.

            Can you cite any examples of this?  Feel free to discuss what you have observed in organized, denominational Christianity as well as examples given in the text.

9.         What is “the filleting of Messiah”?  How does this practice epitomize the “Saul mentality”?

10.       How did the early church fathers mix the pagan with the holy when establishing the date on which the Messiah’s birth would be celebrated?  What did the date December 25 originally represent?  What pagan traditions were “Christianized” and incorporated in the religious celebration called Christmas?

11.       “Do not learn the way of the nations ... For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest ... They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.” (Jeremiah 10:1-4 NIV)  Discuss how this scripture has affected your attitude toward Christmas trees.

12.       On what holy feast of Israel is YAHshua likely to have been born?  What is the significance of this feast?  In what way was YAHshua’s birth the fulfillment of this feast?

13.        By separating the Messiah’s birth, death, and resurrection from their fulfillment of the Hebrew feasts, how did the early church leaders further separate the church from its “holy Hebrew root?”  How did they further rob YAHshua of His Jewish identity?

14.       How did organized Christianity mix the holy and the profane in the way in which it began to celebrate YAHshua’s resurrection?

15.       The text states in chapter 17:

          True disciples of YAHshua must be willing to count the cost to follow Him, forsaking the love and approval of men.  True disciples must choose between their familiar and often sentimental traditions and the pure, holy worship of YAHveh.

            Which man-made church traditions do you think would be the most difficult to renounce?  What opposition would you expect to face if you chose to renounce these traditions?  Whose “love and approval” might you expect to lose?  What spiritual rewards could you anticipate experiencing?

16.       As the pagan traditions of Christianity are removed and the holy Hebrew root is magnified what might happen in the hearts of many Jews when confronted with the message of YAHshua Messiah?  And why?

17.       You have learned much regarding the “plunder” that the “Saul generation” throughout Christian history has brought into YAHveh’s holy camp.  It would be wise and beneficial to seal these truths as you pray together as a body over these issues.  Remember that repentance over the sins of corporate Christianity, as well as over our individual sins, should be the foundation upon which these prayers are offered up to our heavenly Father.  It is time to humble yourselves, perhaps even on your knees, as each one in turn prays aloud in sincerity before YAHveh, for the road is narrowing and the cost is greater.  Counting the cost is an on going process for all who work out their salvation with fear and trembling.