patriarchs and prophets-第157章
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interests as the heavens are higher than the earth。 And the education begun
in this life will be continued in the life to come。 Day by day the wonderful
works of God； the evidences of His wisdom and power in creating and
sustaining the universe； the infinite mystery of love and wisdom in the plan
of redemption； will open to the mind in new beauty。 〃Eye hath not seen； nor
ear heard； neither have entered into the heart of man； the things which God
hath prepared for them that love Him。〃 1 Corinthians 2：9。 Even in this life
we may catch glimpses of His presence and may taste the joy of communion
with Heaven； but the fullness of its joy and blessing will be reached in the
hereafter。 Eternity alone can reveal the glorious destiny to which man；
restored to God's image； may attain。
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Chapter 59
The First King of Israel
The government of Israel was administered in the name and by the authority
of God。 The work of Moses； of the seventy elders； of the rulers and judges；
was simply to enforce the laws that God had given； they had no authority to
legislate for the nation。 This was； and continued to be； the condition of
Israel's existence as a nation。 From age to age men inspired by God were
sent to instruct the people and to direct in the enforcement of the laws。
The Lord foresaw that Israel would desire a king； but He did not consent to
a change in the principles upon which the state was founded。 The king was to
be the vicegerent of the Most High。 God was to be recognized as the Head of
the nation； and His law was to be enforced as the supreme law of the land。＇*
SEE APPENDIX； NOTE 8。＇
When the Israelites first settled in Canaan they acknowledged the principles
of the theocracy； and the nation prospered under the rule of Joshua。 But
increase of population and intercourse with other nations brought a change。
The people adopted many of the customs of their heathen neighbors and thus
sacrificed to a great degree their own peculiar； holy character。 Gradually
they lost their reverence for God and ceased to prize the honor of being His
chosen people。 Attracted by the pomp and display of heathen monarchs； they
tired of their own simplicity。 Jealousy and envy sprang up between the
tribes。 Internal dissensions made them weak； they were continually exposed
to the invasion of their heathen foes； and the people were coming to believe
that in order to maintain their standing among the nations； the tribes must
be united under a strong central government。 As they departed from obedience
to God's law； they desired to be freed from the rule of their divine
Sovereign； and thus the demand for a monarchy became widespread throughout
Israel。
Since the days of Joshua the government had never been conducted with so
great wisdom and success as under Samuel's
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administration。 Divinely invested with the threefold office of judge；
prophet； and priest； he had labored with untiring and disinterested zeal for
the welfare of his people； and the nation had prospered under his wise
control。 Order had been restored； and godliness promoted； and the spirit of
discontent was checked for the time。 But with advancing years the prophet
was forced to share with others the cares of government； and he appointed
his two sons to act as his assistants。 While Samuel continued the duties of
his office at Ramah； the young men were stationed at Beersheba； to
administer justice among the people near the southern border of the land。
It was with the full assent of the nation that Samuel had appointed his sons
to office； but they did not prove themselves worthy of their father's
choice。 The Lord had； through Moses； given special directions to His people
that the rulers of Israel should judge righteously； deal justly with the
widow and the fatherless； and receive no bribes。 But the sons of Samuel
〃turned aside after lucre； and took bribes； and perverted judgment。〃 The
sons of the prophet had not heeded the precepts which he had sought to
impress upon their minds。 They had not copied the pure； unselfish life of
their father。 The warning given to Eli had not exerted the influence upon
the mind of Samuel that it should have done。 He had been to some extent too
indulgent with his sons； and the result was apparent in their character and
life。
The injustice of these judges caused much dissatisfaction； and a pretext was
thus furnished for urging the change that had long been secretly desired。
〃All the elders of Israel gathered themselves together； and came to Samuel
unto Ramah； and said unto him； Behold； thou art old； and thy sons walk not
in thy ways： now make us a king to judge us like all the nations。〃 The cases
of abuse among the people had not been referred to Samuel。 Had the evil
course of his sons been known to him； he would have removed them without
delay； but this was not what the petitioners desired。 Samuel saw that their
real motive was discontent and pride； and that their demand was the result
of a deliberate and determined purpose。 No complaint had been made against
Samuel。 All acknowledged the integrity and wisdom of his administration； but
the aged prophet looked upon
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the request as a censure upon himself； and a direct effort to set him aside。
He did not； however； reveal his feelings； he uttered no reproach； but
carried the matter to the Lord in prayer and sought counsel from Him alone。
And the Lord said unto Samuel： 〃Hearken unto the voice of the people in all
that they say unto thee： for they have not rejected thee； but they have
rejected Me； that I should not reign over them。 According to all the works
which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even
unto this day； wherewith they have forsaken Me； and served other gods； so do
they also unto thee。〃 The prophet was reproved for grieving at the conduct
of the people toward himself as an individual。 They had not manifested
disrespect for him； but for the authority of God； who had appointed the
rulers of His people。 Those who despise and reject the faithful servant of
God show contempt； not merely for the man； but for the Master who sent him。
It is God's words； His reproofs and counsel； that are set at nought； it is
His authority that is rejected。
The days of Israel's greatest prosperity had been those in which they
acknowledged Jehovah as their Kingwhen the laws and the government which
He had established were regarded as superior to those of all other nations。
Moses had declared to Israel concerning the commandments of the Lord： 〃This
is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations； which
shall hear all these statutes； and say； Surely this great nation is a wise
and understanding people。〃 Deuteronomy 4：6。 But by departing from God's law
the Hebrews had failed to become the people that God desired to make them；
and then all the evils which were the result of their own sin and folly they
charged upon the government of God。 So completely had they become blinded by
sin。
The Lord had； through His prophets； foretold that Israel would be governed
by a king； but it does not follow that this form of government was best for
them or according to His will。 He permitted the people to follow their own
choice； because they refused to be guided by His counsel。 Hosea declares
that God gave them a king in His anger。 Hosea 13：11。 When men choose to have
their own way； without seeking counsel from God； or in opposition to His
revealed will； He often grants their desires； in order that； through the
bitter experience
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that follows； they may be led to realize their folly and to repent of their
sin。 Human pride and wisdom will prove a dangerous guide。 That which the
heart desires contrary to the will of God will in the end be found a curse
rather than a blessing。
God desired His people to look to Him alone as their Law…giver and their
Source of strength。 Feeling their dependence upon God； they would be
constantly drawn nearer to Him。 They would become
