Saul and the Witch

“When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by casting lots or by prophets.”  1 Samuel 28:6

We shouldn’t forget that Saul, in spite of his many faults, had done some good things. For one, Saul had forced all the fortunetellers and mediums to leave Israel. He somehow knew these things were not from God and anyway...he had Samuel, a man who truly had God’s ear.

After God’s Spirit left Saul he was entirely dependent on Samuel to discern God’s intent in the affairs of Israel. Ironic that he kept asking since, he had trouble obeying.

But then, Samuel...the only man Saul really trusted...died.

The Philistine troops gathered to invade Israel and Saul was terrified. He asked the Lord what to do but the Lord didn’t answer him at all, either by dreams or by casting lots or by prophets. So, Saul ordered his officials, “Find me a woman who is a medium, and I will go and consult her.”

When all else fails...find a witch.

So Saul disguised himself and went to see a woman at Endor. He said “Consult the spirits for me and tell me what is going to happen,” she was a smart witch and said

“Surely you know King Saul has outlawed fortunetellers and mediums. Why are you trying to trap me and get me killed?” Saul vowed, “By the living Lord I promise that you will not be punished for doing this. Call up Samuel.”

If you ever believed there was nothing to “Black Magic” you would be wrong. When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed and said to Saul, “Why have you tricked me? You are King Saul!” She could have only discerned this through the spirit world.

Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me? Why did you make me come back?” Saul answered, “God has abandoned me. He doesn't answer me any more so I have called you, for you to tell me what to do.” Samuel said, “Why do you call me when the Lord has abandoned you and become your enemy? You disobeyed the Lord's command and now, He will give you and Israel over to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will join me.”

We all stray from God. We often fail to recognize the drift because we still have the passion, in our hearts, to follow Him. Even when we have drifted we recognize we need Him. We see this in our nation that bears no resemblance to the likeness of God yet faithfully call’s upon Him when we are in trouble.

And...God doesn’t answer.

So we go to extreme measures. We use every human method we can think of to bring Divine influence to our problems. Ironic; Human effort to influence Divine intent.

Oil and water...

Samuel told Saul...”God isn’t answering because you don’t listen when He speaks. You’re mocking Him and it will cost. This is one problem you can’t avoid. It will kill you.”

A woman worked for me in Denver. She constantly countermanded my directives and I constantly reproved her. Eventually enough was enough and I fired her. She came to me in tears and asked me to reconsider...too late. We see Paul’s explanation of this human dilemma in the first chapter of Romans. God's anger is demonstrated against all disobedient people. God punishes them because they know about God, but they don’t give him the honor that belongs to him. And so God has given those people over to do the filthy things their hearts desire.” (My Translation)

At some point God simply says...”I’m done with them!”

When this happens we have a choice to make. We can blame God for not loving us enough or we can recognize our own role in our problems and repent.

We know how this ends...don’t call your witch or...whatever magic plan you have up your sleeve.

Live boldly out there today...

David and Nabal - “A fool and his money...”

“Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants today who are each breaking away from his master. Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?”  1 Samuel 25:10, 11

Nabal was a very rich businessman man. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was also harsh and wicked in his business dealings.

Nabal means “Fool.”

David had been living in the wilderness...among Nabal’s shepherds. He had a good relationship with the shepherds, had protected them from all sorts of hazards and...when the festival time for shearing sheep arrived...he wanted to join in the celebration. He sent men to ask Nabal for the provisions necessary to throw a party for hundreds of men. David said to the young men, “go to Nabal, in my name and say; “Peace to your household, peace to everyone here! When your shepherds were camped near us we didn’t take advantage of them. They didn’t lose a thing all the time they were with us in Carmel. Ask your young men—they’ll tell you. Now, please be generous with my men—share the feast! Give whatever your heart tells you.”

Of course, fools have no heart...

Nabal tore into them asking, “Who is this David? The country is full of runaway servants these days. Do you think I’m going to take good bread and wine and meat freshly butchered for my sheepshearers and give it to men I’ve never laid eyes on?”

When David heard this he said “That sure was a waste, guarding everything this man had out in the wild so that nothing he had was lost—and now he rewards me with insults. May God do his worst to me if Nabal and his household aren’t dead by morning!”

 “Strap on your swords!”

Fortunately, Nabal had a wise wife who interceded for him. Abigail knew such an insult would not go unanswered so gathered up all the necessary provisions and went out to meet David. When she met David she said “My master, don’t dwell on what that idiot Nabal did. He acts out the meaning of his name...Fool. As God lives and as you live, God has kept you from this avenging murder—and may your enemies, end up like Nabal! God is at work in you...you fight God’s battles! As long as you live no evil will stick to you. When God completes all he has promised you and sets you up as prince over Israel, you will not have this guilt of an avenging murder weighing you down. Now take this gift that I, your servant, have brought to you, and give it to the young men who follow you.”

And when God has worked things for good for you, remember me...”

Smart woman! Ten days later Nabal was dead and Abigail became David’s wife.

A Nabal says in his heart “there is no God.” This conveniently allows him to believe everything he has is the result of his own prowess and belongs to him...alone. It allows him to claim “every good and perfect gift come from my own hand!” 

We, of course know better. And, when we claim ownership of what belongs to God, there is a price to pay. The price? Well, the simple humility that should mark our lives transforms into arrogance, selfishness and pomposity. When that happens we hoard the blessings God intends us to pass along to others. We make enemies of others and...God. Conversely, if we recognize we are only stewards of God’s benevolence, we find joy in sharing because it is an opportunity honor God and point others to Him. And, “God blesses a cheerful giver.” 

How much? Consider Robert G. LeTourneau. He was a prolific inventor of earthmoving machinery. His factories supplied LeTourneau machines which represented nearly 70 percent of the earthmoving equipment and engineering vehicles used by the Allied  forces during World War II, and more than half of the 1,500-mile Alcan Highway in Canada was built with LeTourneau equipment. Over the course of his life he secured nearly 300 patents relating to earthmoving equipment, manufacturing processes and machine tools.  

It wasn’t always such a success story. They are a Christian family who owned a modest company and went broke...in spite of faithfully tithing. Robert asked God why things had gone awry. At some point God laid it on his heart to tithe 90% of his income rather than 10%. His company exploded with success.

You and I are not promised LeTourneau’s success. We may not hear God ask for 90%. But, we are no different than Mr. LeTourneau. So...what do we have? How much of that are we willing to give away? If the answers are different we have a problem. 

On one hand we have LeTourneau. On the other hand we have Nabal. Not a difficult choice.

Live boldly out there today...