1 Samuel 12:6-11
6 Then Samuel said to the people, “It is the Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt.
7 Now then, take your stand, so that I may enter into judgment with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous acts of the Lord that He did for you and your fathers.
8 When Jacob went into Egypt and your fathers cried out to the Lord, then the Lord sent Moses and Aaron who brought your fathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place.
9 But they forgot the Lord their God, so He sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
10 They cried out to the Lord and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have abandoned the Lord and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth; but now save us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve You.’
11 Then the Lord sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and saved you from the hands of your enemies all around, so that you lived in security.
The Lesson from History
The history of the Exodus
Samuel attempts to provide a lesson to the people of Israel through the history of the Exodus. The conclusion of today’s passage is that “God raised up the necessary leaders at the necessary times and protected the people of Israel. Therefore, a king was not necessary for the people of Israel then, and neither is it necessary now.” Through this, Samuel pointed out the unfaithfulness and stubbornness of the people, and tried to teach them to become more faithful and obedient. (1) When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord from their suffering in Egypt, the Lord sent Moses and Aaron and free them from Egypt. (2) It was the Lord Himself who sent these two leaders and settled the people of Israel in the Promised Land. In other words, even without a king in Israel, the people experienced liberation and blessing.
The history of the Judges
Next, he revisited the history of the time of the Judges. (1) After settling in the Promised Land, the people frequently forgot the Lord and began to serve idols such as Baal and Ashtoreth. (2) To discipline the people, the Lord allowed “hands of judgment” in the form of enemies to rise against them and attack Israel. These enemies included Sisera the commander of the army of Hazor of the Philistines, and the king of Moab. (3) However, when the people repented and cried out to the Lord, He raised up judges to deliver them. God used individuals such as Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), Bedan (referring to Barak), Jephthah, and Samuel as deliverers. (4) What can we learn through these histories is that the liberation of Israel was not of the works of man, but of the Lord Himself who sent these leaders. Let us also now look back on our own journey and take time to remember who has supported us thus far. The one who has delivered us from all our afflictions and snares is the God the Father of Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Father. Distrust in Him and seeking help in something else is an act of unfaithfulness. Is your life pleasing to our Heavenly Father?
Today's prayer
God the Father of Jesus Christ, it is by Your hand, I have been able to walk this far. There is no one else to rely on but You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.