How to find help from God (1 Samuel 28)
1 Sam 28:3-25
Amidst the complexities of modern life, many today turn to some sort of spirituality to fill the void, ease anxieties or lift depression. While meditation and the like may be successful in helping people take charge of their lives to some extent, this kind of religion is entirely focused on the self and how to fix it. Typically, if God is mentioned, such a being is seen as living in all of us, to be discovered and realised through various practices so that the self can find solace, forgiveness and healing. However, this does not address the real issue, our separation from God because of sin, and it side-steps God’s way for healing. Instead, it seeks alternative ways to remain in charge and relieve the symptoms of such separation. Ultimately, though, God cannot be manipulated to do our bidding and true healing is only possible when we repent, let go of control and our self-help solutions, and look to God to redeem our lives.
God’s help on human terms
This modern phenomenon reminds me of Saul’s behaviour in our chapter. He cannot face the real issue in his life (his unwillingness to let go of being king), so his perception of what is wrong stays with the external, Philistine, threat and fear overwhelms him (1 Sam 28:4-5). Like moderns, he wants relief from ‘the symptoms’ of trouble without dealing with the real cause. At first glance, Saul’s inquiry of the Lord seems appropriate (1 Sam 28:6) – after all, even people of faith may seek reassurance in trouble. However, this desire for guidance (1 Sam 28:15; and presumably encouragement) is to be judged against the broader background of Saul’s ongoing disobedience. His occasional acknowledgement of sin does not signal true change, evident from his continued persecution of David despite knowing God’s choice and his own rejection (1 Sam 24:20; 26:1-2). In other words, he wants God’s help on his terms (to address what he sees as the problem and when he wants help). Unsurprisingly, God does not respond to him now (1 Sam 28:6).
By fair means or foul
Saul’s desperation, however, is so great that he wants an answer, even if he is now treading forbidden ground seeking out a medium (1 Sam 28:3, 7 cf. Deut 18:10-14). How ironic that the woman of Endor reminds Saul of the right thing he has done earlier (removing mediums and spiritists) and that Saul uses God’s name to vow protection for such a woman (1 Sam 28:9-10)! While there is some debate over the identity of the figure that appears (a spirit, a demon, the dead Samuel?),[1] the words only confirm the judgment on Saul (1 Sam 28:16-19). The only new information is Saul and his sons’ imminent death (v.19) but that is no help at all. Thus, the king has gained nothing, but in his terrible desire for control, he has condemned himself even more thoroughly by adding divination to his other sins. Even his fasting (a practice to prepare one for meeting God) is contradictory, given that he knows God has left him (1 Sam 28:15) and he is using a forbidden method for communication. This, too, reflects a desperate attempt to manipulate the circumstances for his gain.
God’s help on His terms
The saddest part of Saul’s life is that he uses tremendous energy to control his situation, which in the end does not help him at all. Today, there are many (non-Christians and Christians alike) who struggle with addictions and sins that they cannot let go of. They want God’s help on their terms and cannot acknowledge their wrongdoing. Instead, they desperately try to hide what is wrong while sin continues to eat away at them from the inside. Although Saul may not have been able to change his fate by genuine repentance, but had he done it, it would have made a difference to how he faced his end. Saul’s tragic story demonstrates that submitting to God humbly while acknowledging our wrongdoing is harder than it may seem. But for the grace of God, none of us could do it. Thank God that when we take a tentative step towards Him, even as we struggle to let go of our will, we discover that the Lord has already come to meet us more than halfway.
[1] The identity of the figure that the woman of Endor called up is debated. Some believe that because such practices are forbidden, it must have been a demon or that the woman did not see anything and was just pretending (Saul did not see the figure directly – 1 Sam 28:13). However, the narrator says that the woman saw Samuel (1 Sam 28:12) and the biblical narrator is reliable. If this may seem strange, consider the story of Balaam, a pagan seer who blesses Israel and says words that God meant to be pronounced over Israel (Numbers 22-23). The woman also seems genuinely terrified when she sees Samuel and suddenly makes the connection to who Saul is, so this is no pretence at conjuring up someone. Further, what Samuel says to Saul all align with what we have discovered before about God’s will, Saul’s sin and so on. Occult practices are forbidden not because they do not work but because God considers them wrong. We cannot know if this instance is representative of what happens in necromancy though (i.e. that it is always the dead person called up who appears or a deceptive spirit), so it is best not to speculate too much about the afterlife or the dead based on our reading. God may have used the situation to have Saul hear what has been said before but no more.
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