Do you ever watch Iron Chef on TV? It is a cooking show that features 2 expert chefs trying to best the other using an ingredient revealed at the beginning of the show. Food is judged on taste, presentation and use of the secret ingredient. Last week the chefs were locked in culinary combat in Battle Liver. As I watched, I thought ... "There is no way they could cook liver that I would like it or even taste it." I turned it to another channel when one of the chefs cooked a dessert made with liver ... that's just wrong!
I reflected on the unpleasantness of liver and wondered if we treat Bible passages like I treat liver? I watched a video last week that asked if we had "domesticated" Scripture so that it fit with our worldview, our likes/dislikes and our sensitive palate. Yet Scripture faithfully serves up literary dishes that are both beautiful/tasty and ugly/unpalatable. Yet Paul writes, "All of God's word is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness." I believe this is true, even for those "liver" passages. So, here goes for 2 passages that relate to persons named Saul.
There is the Old Testament Saul, who was King from 1021-1000BC (according to 1 Samuel). Saul loved his power and became jealous and paranoid about keeping in power. Saul also was terrified of his enemies, the Philistines, and decided he would trust in cunning, wits and the spirit realm to defeat his enemies. So Saul, in disguise, visits the witch of Endor and has her contact the deceased Samuel for advice. Samuel's words for Saul are these ... "The Lord will hand you over to the Philistines. Tomorrow, both you and your sons will be with me. And Israel will lose the battle (1 Samuel 28:19)." So much for this being a good idea. God has boundaries we are not permitted to cross without God's permission. Saul paid the price for his disobedience ... his life and the lives of his sons.
Then, there is the New Testament Saul. Saul raged against "The people of the Way (the first name for the Church)." In Acts 9 Saul is traveling to Damascus to arrest the "followers of the Way." Saul is knocked from his horse, a bright light flashes, and he hears a voice ... "Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" "Who are you lord," Saul asks? The voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what to do (Acts 9:4-7)." Saul obeyed, he is called/ordained to preach the Gospel, his name is changed to Paul, and he becomes an Apostle, a great church planter, a missionary and a martyr for his Lord, Jesus.
Both Saul's encounter the unseen realm of God. Neither experience can be explained by science or logic, yet both encounters are following the plans God has to redeem His people and eventually bring them to Himself. One story ends in disobedience and death, the other in restoration, new life, new purpose and a new name.
God has boundaries ... follow them. God has authority over the heaven's and the earth, and over the seen and unseen realms ... be in awe. God's word reminds us our worldly vision doesn't allow us to see God's activity until we receive God's "eyes" and God's blessing. And these stories remind us that we can either follow our own path to destruction or God's path to life. Michel Card writes that this new revelation is ... "Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind!" That is my prayer for you and me! Randy
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