Let's look for hidden pearls (10 mins.)
1Sa 12:21; note. How could the Israelites have gone looking for “empty things” or “unreal”? (w11 7/15 13 ¶15)
They could have gone in search of empty or unreal things in the sense that they imagined that a visible human king would help us improve their lives, that Jehovah. But they were totally wrong, Jehovah is the real and true God who always showed them his favor. The Israelites made the mistake of going after "unreal things" and following the fantasies promoted by Satan. For example, a human king could cause them to commit the folly of worshiping idols. These images, although they could see and touch them, could not do anything for them or for anyone, so we were the fantasy that only leads to destruction and in that approval of the real and true God Jehovah.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Having a king who was visible would be no more real than having Jehovah as his helper. Therefore they had fallen into the error of going after unreal things. They would be trusting someone who also needed God to continue living. Also, the kings they would have could lead them to worship false idols. Idolaters commit the terrible folly of believing that gods of form or stone are more real and more trustworthy than the true God, as the apostle Paul said; "An idol is nothing." To worship them would be to go after something unreal, a fantasy that only leads to disaster.
In that case, they had fallen into the mistake of going after "unreal things." And now it was easier for them to go after many other of the fantasies promoted by Satan. For example, the kings of it could lead them to worship idols. Idolaters commit the terrible folly of believing that gods of wood or stone are more real and more trustworthy than the true God. But he is the Creator of all things, whereas, as Paul rightly said, "an idol is nothing." Undoubtedly, idols are useless images. What is the point of being able to see and touch them, if they themselves cannot see, hear, speak or help anyone? To worship them would be to go after something unreal, a fantasy that only leads to disaster.
One way to seek empty things would have been to fall into idolatry, believing that the gods of wood or stone are more real and more trustworthy than the true God but that in reality they were more than just idols that do not see, do not hear, do not they speak nor can they help anyone, worshiping them would be going after something unreal.
What spiritual gems have you found about Jehovah, the ministry, and other topics in this week's Bible reading?
1 Samuel 12:2. Although many years had passed, the days of his youth were fresh in his memory. Thanks to the decisions he made while he was still a boy, he became a man of faith, a faithful servant of God. He had to strengthen and protect his faith, since he lived surrounded by ungodly and disloyal people. Young people growing up in Jehovah's Organization must make great efforts to live the truth with their own faith. The world around them does not promote Jehovah worship and loyal service from youth. It is beautiful to see how young people grow up with loyal conduct and deep love for Jehovah. They will be used in the organization as Jehovah sees fit.
1 Samuel 12:3. Let's see that Samuel begins by explaining that he had never in his life accepted any kind of bribes or gifts as blackmail, he was proud to declare that he had never fallen into such a practice and therefore had been a good servant of God in that regard, we, especially the brothers with responsibilities, should not accept anything that is offered to us in order to give in to something or ignore it since that would be to fall into a bribe.
1 Samuel 12:3. The prophet Samuel is an example of outstanding faith, he had a very special gift which gave him an inherent authority over the people, yet he never abused his authority or his position as a prophet for dishonest advantage, despite having Witnessing the bad example of Eli and his sons, especially with the offerings, Samuel was different, he is undoubtedly an example of faith for us who want to imitate and forge a character that does not allow itself to be corrupted by bad examples.
1 Samuel 12:2,5. There is no doubt, Samuel showed a faithful course "from his youth to old age", he did not allow living with the unfaithful people to affect his decision to be a man of faith, a faithful servant of God. This teaches me: that, like Samuel, we Christians do not allow coexistence with the unfaithful world to affect our firm decision to be faithful servants of Jehovah. We Christians strive to make ourselves a good record before God and men, our faithful course will result in the promise that says, that "a blessing awaits the memory of the righteous."
1 Samuel 12:8-10. Samuel briefly reminds the Israelites of part of their history, but he especially emphasizes the fact that they constantly forgot Jehovah and turned away from him, which obviously brought them consequences and only when they saw themselves in trouble did they beg God for help, Without a doubt, these details allow us to see that this nation manifested a constant attitude that was wearing down their relationship with Jehovah.
1 Samuel 12:9. The Israelites managed to impose themselves on the neighboring peoples and nations, but the main reason for their success was that Jehovah was with them, this is confirmed at the moment that they left and forgot God, he abandoned them and they sank, it was a time of ruin and bad streak for them, this teaches us that the worst thing we can do at this time is to abandon Jehovah, forget about him, no matter who we are, or how good we think we are, without Jehovah we are nothing, and leaving him will be our biggest mistake and failure.
1 Samuel 12:14. It teaches us very necessary principles for our Christian life, for example the fear of God and obedience, instead of rebelling, there are people who are moved by pride and do not like to abide by the instructions received in the congregation. When someone rebels sooner or later they will crash, because Jehovah opposes the proud.
1 Samuel 12:17,19. Samuel asked Jehovah to send a storm in the middle of the dry season, this miracle made those present afraid, but it also managed to sensitize the hearts of that rebellious people and make them realize the seriousness of their sin. This teaches me: that Christians should not allow the criteria of this world to numb our hearts, because this would result in us moving away from Jehovah and sinning against him. Therefore, it is important to study and meditate on what the Bible says, so that we will remain in "the fear of the Lord with a fully sensitive heart."
1 Samuel 12:20,24. Jehovah used Samuel to teach and encourage his people to continue serving him faithfully with all their hearts. This teaches me: that Jehovah has always used human representatives to instruct us in his way. These men as overseers take the lead in instructing and encouraging the sheep to continue serving Jehovah faithfully. Therefore, if we obey the divine teachings that are transmitted to us, we will not be afraid or turn in the opposite direction, rather, we will be encouraged to continue serving Jehovah faithfully and wholeheartedly.
1 Samuel 12:21. Samuel advises the Israelites not to go in search of unreal things or empty things, that is, things that in the end turn out to be a lie, a deception or a waste of life, we must avoid falling into such mirages because it will not be advantage in our life, rather we should set ourselves goals that can actually enrich our life and our happiness such as, for example, achieving goals in the service of Jehovah.
1 Samuel 12:22. Jehovah has always protected the people from him and delivered them from very difficult situations since the creation of him as a nation. That was to teach each of his people that they could trust Jehovah completely. Samuel being very old reminded them that the name of his God was involved in the care he gave them. If we take our responsibility before God seriously and truly walk worthily in Jehovah's name, he will be with us as our friend. It is a sure thing that, if we continue to acquire and apply the knowledge of his inspired Word, Jehovah will not abandon us even more so that very difficult times lie ahead.
1 Samuel 12:23. Although due to his age Samuel could no longer serve Jehovah and the people as before, he could still do something and that was to pray, this sets a very important example in which the elderly can exert a positive influence on other servants of Jehovah and that Despite the limitations of poor health and other circumstances, older people can pray for others and thus set an example of endurance and faithful service to others in the congregation.
1 Samuel 12:23. Samuel already "old and full of gray hair" was an example when it comes to praying for others. To him it was "inconceivable to sin against Jehovah by ceasing to pray" for his Israelite brothers. This teaches me: how important and valuable the prayers of our older brothers are. Regardless of their limitations due to ill health and other circumstances, they must realize that their prayers benefit the congregation. They must never forget that: "The request of the righteous man, when he is in action, has much force" and this is due to the good position they have before Jehovah.
1 Samuel 12:25. If we continue to truly serve him with all our hearts, he will never leave us. We have an example that warns us against failing to serve him in this way. Serving Jehovah is not a game of mask, that we put on from time to time when going to meetings and take it off when we leave, no one can make fun of God without paying the consequences, it is good then that we are honest in serving God and be faithful even when no one is watching.
1 Samuel 13:2. This is the first time that Jonathan, the son of Saul, is mentioned, a young man of about 20 years of age, it is narrated that he is a commander of 1,000 warriors which shows us that he was brave, capable, determined to follow the direction and approval of Jehovah. This teaches me: that today, in the same way, Jehovah has a battalion of young men who are brave, capable and determined to defend his name and serve him. Young people who fulfill their responsibilities in the family and in the congregation earn the trust, appreciation and respect of adults, but above all the approval of Jehovah.
1 Samuel 13:5,6. The Philistines were united to attack Israel, they were an army so numerous that they had enough weapons to oppress and cause fear to the men of Israel. This teaches me: that Jehovah is already warning us of a similar event that will occur shortly: Gog of Magog a coalition of nations will unite to attack his people. The armies and weapons they possess can cause us fear, but our Savior God assures us that through the King Jesus Christ and his mighty angels they will save us. So let us fully trust in Jehovah in the face of the events that are about to occur!
1 Samuel13:5-9. At the beginning of his reign, Saul was a modest and respected man but soon after he committed a series of daring and arrogant acts, he did not respect the instructions of Jehovah and he also did not respect the servant appointed by God to carry out certain responsibilities among the people as he was. Samuel Since Samuel, God's prophet, did not show up at Gilgal on the day they agreed, Saul did not have the authority to do what he did and Jehovah did not like it, so it is always important to respect the instructions and responsibilities of the prophets. other members of the congregation.
1 Samuel 13:11,12. Saul's actions might seem justifiable at first sight, for God's people were "in dire straits," "in severe straits," and trembling because of their desperate situation. Jehovah must have observed some tendencies in Saul that the Bible account does not specify. For example, he may have seen that behind Saul's impatience was pride. We must guard against impatience. It is very easy to be bothered by the imperfections of our brothers. Perhaps we get impatient like Saul and think that for things to be done well we have to do them personally. We want to trust in the ability and desire of others to fulfill their responsibilities and we want to be collaborators in the peace and unity of the congregation.
1Sa 13:11, 12. Saul's action might seem justifiable at first glance, since the people of God were in a serious bind and in some situations it is not improper to take the initiative when the circumstances require it, but Saul's problem is that he may have had motivations that were not typical of a servant of God such as pride, that is why Samuel did not praise Saul's initiative, that is why it is important that, before taking any action in the congregation, always Let's examine what our motives are for doing so.
1 Samuel 13:14. When Saul was chosen to rule God's people, he had the necessary qualities that Jehovah was looking for in a man to lead his people. Unfortunately because of his pride, Jehovah had to find a replacement. And he found it in a young man with the characteristics that Jehovah was looking for and that pleased his heart. We can also be pleasing to Jehovah's heart, showing absolute trust in our God in our daily lives. Being good students of the Bible, showing humility and modesty and deeply loving our brothers who are the sheep of Jehovah.
1 Samuel 13:14. Saul was told that because of the actions he had done against Jehovah's orders and for showing a heart away from him, Jehovah would find a man who pleased his heart and would make him a leader, reading what he said Jehovah, we can reason that such a man who would please Jehovah's heart would later be David, because he possessed qualities of fearlessness, complete devotion to Jehovah, skillful leadership, and humble submission to theocratic order.
1 Samuel 13:19,20. The oppression of the Philistines towards the Israelites was so critical that they forbade them to have their own blacksmiths, thus keeping them unarmed. This also forced them to go to them to have their farming tools sharpened. This teaches me: that in the same way, the people of God today have suffered the oppression of some of the nations of this world. These governments try to disarm us spiritually by banning the preaching and imprisoning our brothers. But very soon, all of them will end up like the Philistines, they will disappear and they will have to know who Jehovah is.
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