Samuel Administers Justice
1 Samuel 7:3-11, 15-17
Or
1 Samuel 7:3-17
International Sunday School Lesson
July 1, 2012
Commentary
By
Jed Greenough
Individuals and nations they seem quite separate because with the numbers involved the human factor becomes blurred. The impact that leaders have on the nations and on the individual though perhaps imperceptible to some is nevertheless huge. The leaders we choose matter; choosing a leader that is a “good man” or the best among the group to choose from will change the nation and the individual but not for the good if they do not worship the only God. For Israel their leader in Samuel was a man of God and the impact on Israel was clear. For us today the impact on our nations and on us is not always distinct but what is distinct and what we can draw from today’s scripture with confidence is this:
1. If you realize you need to turn or return to the Lord you can draw from today as an example. Verse 2 says that, “all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD.” Last week for the benefit of individuals who need to seek God I quoted Deuteronomy 4:29, “you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” God will hear you and you will find Him if you similarly mournfully seek Him.
2. You must associate yourself with a discerning, Biblically sound and strong leader. In verse 3 from today we see that Samuel advised the people of Israel what they needed to do. They not only had to act they had to react. They had to do more than show up, they need to do more than talk, they needed to serve Him exclusively. How badly do you want the relief that only God can provide you? Are you ready yet to serve Him?
3. Do you have a leader who can with confidence intercede on your behalf? Yes, we can all approach God in prayer but with the strains of guilt and the weakness that exists within those who have been “away” there is an issue of faith that must grow. James 5:13-16 “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
4. Like the water that was poured out the people of Israel were pouring out their hearts in a penitent nature. We must pour out ourselves; empty ourselves of the sins that have separated us from Him. Yes, the pouring out of the water was a symbolic act but it symbolized the substantive nature of their confessing hearts.
5. Though they had turned to the Lord, this faith issue again shows the need for the strong Godly leader. We/they are not without faith but weak from our sins and need the Godly who can cry out with fervor to God on his people’s behalf.
6. As demonstrated by Israel in today’s scripture the once fearful or panicked can be emboldened by their leader and the effectiveness of prayer.
7. As a monument or memorial Samuel set up a reminder that the Lord had helped the people of Israel. The people did not worship this stone but whenever they would have passed by they would have recalled the victory God had provided. What reminders should we have in place to recall the victories provided by God for us?
8. Because of Samuel, God’s hand was against the enemies of Israel. Consider what a leader that is pleasing to God can do for your church, for your country.
Yes, even today an individual can change a nation or a church when the mournful recognize the need to return to God.
For Discussion:
1. Discuss the idea that the Philistines came to attack, not because Israel had gathered but because they had gathered to return to the Lord. Satan works in ways we often don’t consider.
2. Discuss that you might be able to converse about the country’s need to return to God but if there is an issue with your church it might not be so easy. What can you do to tackle this issue if it exists?
3. Should we set up reminders in some fashion like the stone named Ebenezer? Has time caused you to forget God given healing or victories?
4. Find a map that shows the towns mentioned in verse 16 from Samuel’s circuit. I think you will be surprised.
5. To know Samuel a bit more read chapters 1-3 and 8.
6. Sometimes it is too late for earthly leaders to intercede, read Jeremiah 15:1.
Upcoming Adult Sunday School Class Commentaries
7-8-12: David Embodies God’s Justice 2 Samuel 23:1-7; 1 Chronicles 18:14
7-15-12: Solomon Judges With Wisdom and Justice 1 Kings 3:16-28; 2 Chronicles 9:8
7-22-12: A King Acts on a Widow’s Behalf 2 Kings 8:1-6
7-29-12: Jehoshaphat Makes Judicial Reforms 2 Chronicles 19:4-11
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved
Thank you a great discussion that sparked my interest in this lesson.
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