This chapter contains Samuel’s farewell address to Israel after the crowning of Saul as king. He reminds Israel of their past sin, but more importantly, of their gracious and forgiving God.
” ‘I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking for yourselves a king.’ So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said to Samuel, ‘Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.’ And Samuel said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.’ ” (v17b-22)
This final public address from Samuel is officially one of my new favorite passages. It has everything – God’s truth and justice balanced by His grace and mercy, with fantastic foreshadowing of the New Covenant that is yet to come.
God has a love-hate relationship with us and our sin – He loves us but hates our sin. He cannot ignore the sin (Samuel acknowledges this) so He provides a way for the people to be forgiven (first the Old Covenant, and now the New Covenant).
The Old Covenant consisted of the Mosaic laws of sin sacrifice and ritual cleansing. Paul sums up the New Covenant like this: “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…” (Rm 3:23-24)
Here’s my favorite part – Samuel in his farewell address, paraphrases something from Moses’ farewell address. It’s a powerful and awesome reminder: ” ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of [your enemies], for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.’ ” (Moses in Deu 31:6) ” ‘Do not be afraid… For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.’ ” (Samuel in v20b,22)
Both Moses and Samuel impress upon Israel (and us) the importance of God’s role as leader and deliverer of His people. Not only that, we are promised God will never turn His back on His people – even if that means punishing us for our sin so we may learn to loathe sin, and love Him.
I encourage us all to abide by Samuel’s encouragement to Israel: ” ‘Do not be afraid; you have done [much] evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.’ ” (v20-22)
Father God, our abundantly Gracious and Merciful Lord, great and mighty is Your name’s sake. You have lovingly provided a living sacrifice – Jesus Your own Son – to pay the penalty for our sin. Thank you Jesus for that ultimate act of love. Lord please help us to not forsake You or turn away from You, that we would remain steadfast, being guided through life’s perils. May we be fearless and courageous, and follow You closely all the days of our lives. All honor, glory and praise be to You, our Savior and King, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training