5. Lesson-(3) learnt from forefather

CHAPTER-5

LESSON-(3) LEARNT FROM FOREFATHERS

Heart of The Righteous

Heart of the righteous is the key theme in the sight of the Lord. God know the way of the righteous (Psalms 1:6). How God knows the way? Because He watches over the righteous. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (Psalms 16.7). King David records the attributes the heart of the righteous person (Fig.38).

Fig.38 Hea rt of t he r ighte ous

He who walks uprightly…and speaks the truth in His righteous, He who does not back bite with His tongue. But He honors those who fear the Lord…He who does not put out his money at usury. – (Psalms 15.2-5). According to the previous verse, righteous and God watches the truth in heart. Lord Jesus said, “Guard your heart from all evil, For out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies”- [Mathew 15.19]. Moreover, Lord Jesus mentioned that He who believes in me…. Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water [John 7.38]. Psalmist mentions as “My heart is overflowing with a good theme” [Psalms 45:1].

CASE STUDIES:

(i) King Saul:

Saul was a young man from the tribe of Benjamin, who is feeling so low in his sight. He was humble, though he is from rich family. But he was not pious and devoted follower of God. But God selected him, because of his humbleness. Moreover, Saul is not having sustained friendly relation with God.

He seeks God only during his troublesome times (or) to seek Him for godly counsel. This attribute fails Saul to achieve the God’s allocated perfect blessing. He disobeyed God for four times.

Ist Test:

When Saul completed his one year in his office. He was allotted toa task to fight against philistines. But this task is a conditional. God said to Him, through Prophet Samuel, that he has to continue his task only after providing offering to God thorough Samuel’s hands [Genesis 13]. But Saul observing the negative atmosphere rather than the face of God. There is no blacksmiths available for Israel. People with him are in perplexity and try to seek hiding places. During this situation, he didn’t seek God for intervention. But he took his own decision to proceed against the will of God. God tested his patience in this situation. But he failed.

IInd Test:

God ignored his past mistake and graciously allotted one more assignment to establish Israel boundary in Amalek country. Even this assignment is conditional [Genesis 15:3]. But he disobeyed it for second time. He retained the good sheep/oxen but the rest he slaughtered it. It grieved the heart of God.

WHY GOD’S HEART GRIEVED?

 God sacrificed his dream for Israel, as God wants to be a King for the country Israel.  But People of Israel disagreed it and they want to depute one as their leader. God compromised with His dream and He himself selected man to lead Israel.

 With lot of expectations, Saul was ordained as the first king of Israel. But

Lord’s heart frustrated due to the consistent disobedience. He expressed his sorrow to His friend Samuel “I greatly regret that I have set-up saul…” Genesis 15:11.

IIIrd Test:

 The second disobedience of Saul led to the seeking of another deputy for saul. But God forgives the Israel people. So, God comforted himself again, and His eyes seek after a man from longer relationship.  He identified this man (David) through Samuel to help Saul (Fig.39). But God didn’t want to disturb the existing set-up. (i.e., the reign of saul). He permitted saul to continue in his office. May be, God in his deeper heart want to provide third opportunity for Saul.  Saul faced yet another negative atmosphere with philistines. Philistines, selected a leader who is from a fallen angel family (ie., Giants). This time, fear gripped the heart of Saul.

Saul made his watchtower at the last of the soldier’s array. He is waiting to see “What will happen?”.  The little inexperienced David arrived the war zone and defeated the giant

Goliath. Israel celebrated this victory except one person (i.e., Saul). Saul didn’t add feather in his crown. But he was so jealousy on David. He cursed him a God in his heart.

 He got pocessed by an evil spirit (I Samuel 18.11), which led to third disobedience.

Fig.39 King Sa ul