It's a story that starts well, but ends badly. There isn't the slightest hint of the tragedy to come with this leader as we read about his promising beginning.
"Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel ; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people." (1 Samuel 9:1-2)
Here was a leader among leaders, or at least so it appeared. Outwardly, he was a man who fit the bill for leadership perfectly - tall and handsome (notice that we are reminded of his good looks twice). But, we know what's coming - a serious character defect eventually leads him away from faithfulness to God and ultimately to a tragic death.
In stark contrast to this description of a tall and handsome leader of men is a prophetic description of the Messiah, the Son of God - "He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him." (Isaiah 53:2). Now, if you were doing the job interview for the leadership position, which man would you pick? If I were a betting man, I'd place odds on the tall handsome man getting the job. Statistics prove that tall, good-looking people most often land the best jobs.
Samuel the prophet, whom God used in the selection of king Saul, would later be commissioned to select Saul's replacement. Having been directed to a particular family, he began sizing up (literally) the brothers as he sought to determine the one whom God had called. In the process, the LORD God reminded Samuel of an important truth: "God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7).
You and I can never change the biological cards we've been dealt. We can spend a lifetime lamenting our stature and/or looks, but we cannot change them. These outward characteristics may cost us (or gain us) popularity and business success. But, these things are neither an advantage or disadvantage spiritually. The one thing God truly notices - the heart - is something we indeed have control over. We have the power of choice in determining if our heart is pure and devoted to God, or if it corrupt and abhorrent in His sight.
Jesus promises "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8). Cultivating a heart for the God who sees our hearts is the privilege and opportunity before us this day.
Steve
© 2011, Steve Taylor
"Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel ; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people." (1 Samuel 9:1-2)
Here was a leader among leaders, or at least so it appeared. Outwardly, he was a man who fit the bill for leadership perfectly - tall and handsome (notice that we are reminded of his good looks twice). But, we know what's coming - a serious character defect eventually leads him away from faithfulness to God and ultimately to a tragic death.
In stark contrast to this description of a tall and handsome leader of men is a prophetic description of the Messiah, the Son of God - "He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him." (Isaiah 53:2). Now, if you were doing the job interview for the leadership position, which man would you pick? If I were a betting man, I'd place odds on the tall handsome man getting the job. Statistics prove that tall, good-looking people most often land the best jobs.
Samuel the prophet, whom God used in the selection of king Saul, would later be commissioned to select Saul's replacement. Having been directed to a particular family, he began sizing up (literally) the brothers as he sought to determine the one whom God had called. In the process, the LORD God reminded Samuel of an important truth: "God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7).
You and I can never change the biological cards we've been dealt. We can spend a lifetime lamenting our stature and/or looks, but we cannot change them. These outward characteristics may cost us (or gain us) popularity and business success. But, these things are neither an advantage or disadvantage spiritually. The one thing God truly notices - the heart - is something we indeed have control over. We have the power of choice in determining if our heart is pure and devoted to God, or if it corrupt and abhorrent in His sight.
Jesus promises "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8). Cultivating a heart for the God who sees our hearts is the privilege and opportunity before us this day.
Steve
© 2011, Steve Taylor
posted by steve @ 9:24 AM
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