THE RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF THE LORD. 1st Samuel 12. What is a leader, and what should we expect from one who leads others? A leader is one who goes ahead so they can show the way to those coming behind him or her. Also, a leader controls the actions or affairs of those who lack the necessary knowledge to accomplish a specific purpose. Samuel was such a person in his conduct, in clarifying God’s dealings with Israel, in pointing out the value of obedience and the consequences of disobedience, in revealing God’s power, and in his prayers.
In Samuel’s farewell speech, he asks them to point out any wrongdoing they might have thought he did. The questions Samuel asked made the Israelites testify to his honesty and faithfulness to them over the years of his leadership. His grey hair and age gave witness to his consistency for a lifetime as a man of his word to them and a faithful servant of God. Samuel put himself on trial as the people who had rejected his leadership were made to face the fact that there was no reason in him that would make them reject God’s leadership.
A farewell address is significant as it reviews one’s testimony to God’s faithfulness and the “righteous acts of God” on behalf of His people. In Samuel’s speech to people who had done what was “right in their own eyes,” he clarified that God had not changed in His care for them as a father continues to care for his children. God allowed them to experience the consequences of their sins before He brought deliverance so they would learn what not to do and what to do.
The “righteous acts of God” were deeds of grace and deliverance because of His covenant relationship with His people. Look back to your deliverance from Egyptian bondage. We look back to Calvary when God saved us by His grace and forgave our sins. When there were times of disaster and defeat, God came in deliverance. Whether it was from the devil—Sisera, the flesh—the Philistines, or the world—Moab, God was there for His people.
Whenever genuine repentance occurs, God never fails to provide a person to deliver them. Gideon, who was insignificant in his own eyes, was given Divine Power. Barak, who was a backward man, went forward by Divine Command. Jephthah, whom his brothers rejected, stood on a Divine Platform to deliver God’s people. Samuel, whom the people rejected, was the last judge by Divine Appointment, and they lived in peace during his rule.
In their unbelief, the Israelites demanded a king, and God gave them a monarchy under the supreme authority of a theocracy. There was no going back. Their fear of Nahash replaced their fear of the Lord, and Saul took possession of their loyalty and allegiance. With thunder and rain, the wheat fields fell to the ground before the power of God, and the people saw the first sign of what they had done against God.
When they struggled to get their wheat harvest that year, every stroke of the sickle to try to cut the fallen stalks of wheat reminded them of their choice and the consequences they had to accept. When the tax man came from Saul to claim a tenth of their produce, they were again reminded of their choice. When their strongest and most fit sons were drafted into Saul's army, the people remembered the choice they made to reject God in favor of an earthly king.
He was reminding them this way that the idea of a king was not his and that he could not be blamed when God punished their selfishness. Even though they now had a king, God’s commands remained unchanged. He was still the True King in every area of life, and we, as they, are to conduct our relationships, work, and home life according to God’s principles. The thunderstorm God sent showed that He was not pleased with them wanting a king. They were “His people” in spite of all, and He was not going to let them away with sin, nor would He abandon them [De.7:7-8]. We, too, are given two responsibilities: [1] pray consistently for others, Ep.6:18 [2] teach others the right way, 2Tim.2:2. It is always a good thing to remember what God has done for us. It helps us to move ahead with gratitude.
Samuel's service for the Lord and His people continued as a priest, prophet, and judge. The political side of national life was now the king's responsibility, but his work as a spiritual guide continued until his life's end. His life before the people was such that they trusted his word to be true, and through him, the voice of God was heard. The people testified publicly that his work was without reproach. Public testimony of the righteous life of a servant of God is of great value and needs to be nurtured and guarded. A good reputation before men has an impact on a whole community. Some of Samuel's work was passed on to Saul, and his ongoing work was of a higher service of intercession with the Lord as a priest for the people, and as a prophet, he had a ministry from God for the people. After Samuel had pled his case before the people, he pled for the people before the Lord. That work continues for the Lord's servants today as we represent the Lord to the people around us and then intercede for the lost before the Lord.
The Lord answered His servant in a severe thunderstorm and heavy rain at harvest time, an unusual time of the season. Samuel had told them this would happen, and it came to pass as a miracle of divine intervention. This was a sign to the people that even though they had gotten their own way, God was still in control and was not pleased with them choosing a human king and rejecting His Kingship. The review from the man they rejected, Samuel, reminded them that God's commands and all He required of them had not changed even though they had a king. The change of administration did not change their responsibility to the Lord as the Supreme Ruler. Men may make their own decisions about what they will do and how they will live, but God is unchanging, and we are still accountable to Him no matter what society chooses to believe.
Samuel's grey head and the dignity and integrity of this aged man that would have shown on his face were because of his continual service to the Lord from his youth up. He had "walked before them" as a faithful guide, showing the value of a righteous life and walking in the dark days of departure. The tender-hearted old man was in tune with the heart of God toward His people. As a loving father to his wayward children, Samuel said, “Fear not.” Then, as a faithful exhorter, he reminded them of their sins and gave earnest warnings to them regarding their conduct and future. The great prophet assured them of God’s faithfulness and promised to be their constant advocate, interceding for them as he was the true guide who would teach them the “good and right way.”
In spite of every pressure of the world to conform or mold us into its ways, we need to remain consistent with the truth of God. The people we know may reject us, and what we believe and teach, yet we must remain faithful to the Lord and them in spite of their attitude. Days of rejection will come to an end when the One we serve comes to get us and take us home. Our Lord controls the weather, and no earthly king can do that. All laws men make are ultimately subject to God's laws, so they will apply to all people. The authority of God supersedes all other considerations in a nation, assembly, business, and family relationships. It is a righteous act of God to punish disobedience in order to bring about repentance and recovery.
The reminders Samuel gave the people as he spoke to them about the Lord they had rejected started with God's deliverance from Egypt. We must remember Calvary and all that has come to us since we came by faith in Christ and began our new life with God. Our hope was placed there on our Lord Jesus for our lives and futures. Love for God became real to us there, and as a result of the new nature, "We know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren." A love for God and His people is evident in those who have been delivered from "Egypt" by the shed blood of the Lamb. Forgetting God and taking Him for granted brings defeat and, at times, disaster in our Christian life. It happened to Israel in the past and can happen to us when we leave the walk of faith.
When repentance is genuine, and people turn to the Lord, he will respond to our cry for mercy and forgiveness. The judges Samuel spoke to the people about what had to do with the divine intervention of God in the lives of the Israelis. Divine Power, Divine Command, Divine Position, and Divine Appointment had been seen in the lives of the previous judges, and Samuel indicated that he was the one who had received the Divine Appointment. He committed himself to prayer for the people of God. We should continue that practice, and our commitment to teaching the truth to others so they will come to the Lord is the priority that we are to maintain. Reflection on God's ways and works with us will make us appreciate His grace and goodness. It will strengthen our faith and further establish our fellowship with Him. In times of reflective gratitude, we look back and see the benefits of the corrective times the judgments of God, and see that these are all the "righteous acts of God."
Samuel reminds the Israelites of the God they had essentially forgotten in their ignorance and unbelief. By ignoring Him, they revealed that they had eyes only for an earthly man who looked like they thought a king should look. Their allegiance to Saul didn't relieve them from their responsibility to the Lord. If they would walk under His direction, they would be blessed. If not, He would bring judgment. The great thunderstorm was like God saying "Amen" to Samuel, reasoning with them about all the "righteous acts of God."
To ignore God's will and word is to ignore Him. We must resolve before the Lord that we will not treat divine truth as something we can take or leave at our own will. Even when others seem to fail, we can learn from Samuel the value of being a loving father, a faithful mentor, a trusted prophet, a talented advocate, and a true guide to the people with whom we have influence.
Stop and listen! Quit what you are doing; this is more important than harvesting a crop of wheat. Consider carefully the choice you have made. Remember, there are consequences for your choices that will not stop and you cannot avoid. Think about all that God has done for you in the past days and years of your life, and think carefully before you turn your back on Him. He is the One who has been caring for you from the first day of your life and will do so to the last, but He will let you suffer the consequences of your sin. We cannot avoid the consequences of the choices we make.
God intends you to turn from your sinful and opinionated ways, return to Him, and find mercy when your sin is confessed. But it is a righteous act of God to act in accordance with His holy law when you ignore what He says. It is a righteous act of God to allow suffering instead of blessing when we choose to do what God has told us is wrong. It is part of a spiritual leader’s work to intercede for those in his care, and they will do this anxiously while looking for change. But understand that it is a righteous act when God visits your life with affliction and pain.
He is seeking your best, but you have chosen the worst. His righteous acts are allowed to turn offenders away from sin and the results that follow willful disobedience. Those things the majority have wanted are like bubbles that will burst, revealing they are nothing of value and will not last. The righteous acts of God are for correction so that His people He has chosen to love will return to Him.
His people? They’re the ones who took the ark of God to war when they went out to fight in their own strength. His people? When the enemies of the Lord took the ark, they ran. His people? For months, they got used to the presence of God not being among them. The ark was with the Philistines. His people? When miraculously the Lord brought the ark back to them, curiosity for the forbidden made them look inside - and die. His people? They lamented for 20 years and made half-hearted responses to return to the Lord. His people? Finally, a victory or two and some peace for a while. His people? Wanting a king instead of the Lord who had led and delivered them? His people? That’s what the new king will call them – he’ll claim them for his people. His people? They are back to their old ways of refusing to obey the voice of the man who speaks for God. His people? They want to be like all the people around them who don’t know the Lord: copycats, unwilling to take responsibility for their actions. “We want a king to lead us.” They are dissatisfied with the Lord, who, for generations, has kept all His word and promises. His people? Shouting with voices loud, “God save the king!” “Let the king live!” What about your God? His people were overjoyed that they had a handsome man to look at instead of an unseen God who had repeatedly proven Himself. His people? Standing in time of the wheat harvest, in terror and shaking fear, as the rain poured down and the thunder crashed. His people? Saying after the fact, “We have sinned. Pray for us that we do not die.” Why not ask your king?
Mistakes and all – He will not forsake them. Weakness and fear – He will not forsake them. No, they are not great; they are despised; they are arrogant and self-centered; they are alone among all that is around them; they are misunderstood, mischievous, and willful. But they are His people, and I must pray for them. I will sin if I don’t. That’s all I can do - right?
After all, the Lord will have to step in to recover them, but I will certainly pray for them and leave the rest up to the Lord. But no, there is more. The one who prays must also teach them the “good and right way.” They have to learn again and again. Someone has to teach them. Why me? Because I am the one who cares enough to pray for them. God placed that interest in them, in me. The responsibility is mine. I can blame no one else. His people are my people. I must do as He would do.