Thought For The Week 9 June 2024

Welcome to our services today. Over the next few weeks the lectionary reading plan takes us on a journey through the Old Testament books of 1&2 Samuel, looking at the life of King David. David is a key figure in our scriptures, being described as a ‘man after God’s own heart’, an effective warrior king and one to whom many of the psalms are attributed. He is a complex character in whom is found the fullness of human      experiences- both good and bad!

Last week we heard about the boy Samuel hearing the voice of God and receiving his calling. Today we jump ahead to the adult Samuel dealing with the demand from the people for Israel to have a king (just like all the other nations). This is   presented as a rejection of God as their king and Samuel warns them what a king will demand of them.

Up to this point Israel had no monarchy and was ruled by its covenant laws with God through various judges who led the people. This was very different to the surrounding nations who all had kings which the people thought was a superior system of governance. I wonder if much has changed. In many places of the world people are governed by authoritarian rulers whose primary aim is to maintain power, at whatever expense is deemed necessary. This invariably ends in ever more corruption as ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely’.

As children of God’s creating, we are called to live under God’s law of love and freedom. It is under God’s rule that we are able to truly flourish.

Nga manaakitanga ki a koutou katoa (Blessings to all)

Brent