Proof


1 Samuel 10:17-27
17 Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah.
18 And he said to the people of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’
19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.”
20 Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot.
21 He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found.
22 So they inquired again of the Lord, “Is there a man still to come?” and the Lord said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”
23 Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.
24 And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”
25 Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home.
26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched.
27 But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

Do you ever wonder if (or doubt if) God is actually in control of every situation? Sometimes it seems that things have spiraled right out of even the control of an all-powerful God.

Today’s story proves that God has everything firmly in His hands – firmly; to the point of causing a pair of dodecahedrons (there’s your big word for the day – it means 12 sided dice, which I learned about teaching math to 5th graders) to state what He already had set in place. Back in the book of Exodus, God set up a system whereby the people could know His will about a situation using these two objects called Urim and the Thummim. It is believed they were these dice. Each side of the dice represented on of the 12 tribes. They were rolled and the side that came up indicated that the specific tribe on top was involved in the choice to be made. They were rolled until the will of God was revealed “by chance.” In the Old Testament, many things were decided this way, using the Urim and Thummin, which were ordinarily attached to the High Priest’s garments. In the New Testament, we do not see them used at all, except at the time that Judas was replaced by Matthias as an Apostle. Once the Holy Spirit indwells His people, there is no need for such a tool.

Back to the story at hand. God chooses Saul to act as His prince to lead the people. Now it is time to reveal to the people His choice, so the cast lots (or throw the dice) to see how God would provide for their cry for a king. As we know, Saul has already been anointed by Samuel. The decision has already been made and acted upon by those in charge – God and His spokesman, Samuel. And wouldn’t you know it – those dice land on Saul. Out of the thousands of people who probably populated Israel at the time, the lot falls to Saul. God’s choice is ratified and displayed for all to see – except for Saul. He’s hiding in the “baggage” area. (This term doesn’t mean suitcases, like it does today. It means armory or where the dishes and cooking supplies were kept.) Saul himself hasn’t yet come to terms with God’s calling. His humility remains intact.

Should you ever doubt that God’s control is permanent and unshakeable remember Saul and his selection and placement as prince over the people. If all God had to do that day was keep a couple of dice under control it was an easy day. Taking care of your every need and seeing that your daily situations fall in line with His will is well within His power. It doesn’t make Him tired or impatient (like it would me!)

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