Both a judge and a king
of Israel are in focus as “Bible heroes” (Samson and Saul, respectively), and
there is more on how we, today, may see Jesus serving the poor. A “Yahoo!
Answers” writer, “the Olmec” (Level 2 with 603 points, a member since October 8,
2012), posted the following:
Why was samson such an idiot and yet he
is considered a hero and not Saul?
Saul who was the king of Israel and samson were
both similar idiots,but samson is considered a hero in the bible.
THE BATTLE AXE: On
Seeing Jesus Serve the Poor (12/03/2012)—Those whose hearts and minds are
hardened against GOD are “blind” as were the adversaries of Moses; and no way
exists for them to see what GOD presents of himself “in plain sight.” Not only
did Pharaoh and the men of Egypt refuse to acknowledge that the Holy One was
present and active among them, they also refused to believe that GOD was working
through Moses as his agent and spokesperson. When all but two from the army of
Israel (Joshua and Caleb) denied the apparent truth that GOD was present and
active among them, and repeatedly denied Moses as a visible agent of the Most
High, GOD proclaimed they would die in the wilderness, and that he would fulfill
his word to them by blessing their children and grandchildren, who were their
lawful agents and substitutes. The problem is not that GOD has abandoned
mankind, or is no longer present upon the earth; it is that, to see the image of
GOD, that in fact is visible through one another, men must use vision that is an
operation of faith, and not any organ of the flesh. Sacred content, godly
function, and divine process must be their focus; and divinity is acknowledged
by its resonance with the power of ones own inner spirit. Those who “see” do
not look for carnal, material and social phenomena. They realize connection,
wholeness, and unity among beings, events, purposes and sacred substance. The
holiness for many spirit-filled acts that comfort the poor remain unrecognized
because there is no display of ceremonies, costumes, and rituals; and they do
not center upon giving food, clothing, money or shelter. For many who viewed
the viral photo of the NYC police officer giving shoes and sox to a homeless
man, an observance of Christ’s Passion and Crucifixion was shown, the act of
humility (called foot-washing). By sharing their endowment of such gifts as
humility, joy, longsuffering, wisdom, and wrath against sin, believers and the
poor are able to see, follow Christ, and enter the Promised Land that is the
Kingdom of GOD.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And
Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in
burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is
as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and
idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,
he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel,
I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their
voice. (1st Samuel 15: 22-24, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER:
Thoughts Upon A Warrior’s Fall (11/15/2012); The Slave to Law and Sin Made Free
(11/16/2012); Childlike Faith (10/18/2012); The Priesthood of Kings
(10/17/2012); Lion of Judah (01/10/2011); Known by GOD
(10/16/2010)
For many mature Christian believers,
Samson son of Manoah and Saul son of Kish are both tragic heroes after the
morbid fashion of Greek drama, as opposed to role models and “pillars of
faith.” As a divinely promoted judge for the still developing covenant nation,
Samson was to serve as a deliverer, one who would be a visible expression of
divine wrath against their enemies, and who would recover the people of GOD from
bondage and servitude. As a divinely anointed king, Saul was to serve as the
highest judge and leader within the covenant nation, who would intercede to
resolve disputes, and defend their common interests. Neither of these men were
called to serve as priests, those consecrated to make the sacrifices of
atonement that would secure the divine covenant before GOD.
While Samson was prepared for service by his
parents through a strict upbringing and continuous devotion to GOD following a
“miraculous” birth, Saul’s preparation to be king was primarily through examples
from surrounding nations. Not surprisingly, much of Samson’s behavior appears
as arrogance, disobedience, hubris (i.e., pride), and the rebellious,
self-promotion of a youngster who wants to throw off authority, duty, and
parental restraint. By contrast, Saul first behaved as one who lacked ambition,
however, had no self-confidence or sense of duty. When called to the public
ceremony that would affirm him as king, Saul hid himself with the baggage
handlers.
Saul did not begin his administration as did
Solomon by humbling himself to GOD. Almost immediately, Saul was given his
first “test” as the new king, and had to rally the armies of Israel for the
defense of a city, Jabethgilead (1st Samuel 11, KJV). So to speak, Saul’s
kingdom was begun through warfare, and that set the pattern for all that would
follow. When commanded to carryout divine judgment against the Amalekites,
Saul’s behavior displayed arrogance, disobedience, hubris (i.e., pride),
idolatry, rebellion, presumption and, finally, witchcraft.
There is far more to be said, correctly
applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, images in action movies and
popular culture often describe a man’s struggle to achieve romantic, political
and social goals as heroic. However, given such purposes depict only issues of
material reality, self-will, and social process, viewers receive little
spiritual instruction or nourishment for their indwelling Spirit from GOD.)
Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your
faith.
THE BLACK
PHOENIX
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment