The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Samuel 8:1-7, “And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel.

2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba.

3 His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah;

5 and they said to him, ‘Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.’

6 But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ And Samuel prayed to the LORD.

7 The LORD said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.’”

Now, read that first verse one more time. “…Samuel was old…” More often than not, older men (and women) make decisions that could bear greater scrutiny before they are issued. The older we become, the less care we often give to important details.

Samuel was old; thus, his supervision of his sons was considerably less than when he was younger. Old men tire more easily. Recuperation comes with greater demand—at least, it seems that way. Thus, Samuel’s sons escaped the oversight and direction they had received when they were young. Samuel had long been their spiritual guide; yet, because his sons were not living up to his standards, the people suggested he appoint a king to rule over them. Samuel, however, was not persuaded and wisely sought counsel from the LORD.

We’re often caught in similar situations. People who have lived under human supervision come to view themselves as competent to rule themselves. It is then that we must seek the LORD’s guidance and abide by His will. In Samuel’s case, the LORD reveals that the people had rejected Him, and he should “listen to the voice of the people.” In effect, the LORD is leaving them to their own devices. How sad that ultimately turns out to be!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom