How the Mighty have Fallen (Part 1)
Monday, June 29th, 2009
Day 1 – God Honors His own Work
What is left of the headless, bloody body of Saul is hanging from the wall of Beth-Shan at the crossroads for all the travelers through Israel to see.
1 Samuel 31:11 When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard of what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their valiant men journeyed through the night to Beth Shan.
(That would be like going from Greeley to the Fort Collins exit of I-25.)
12 …They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. 13 Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.
The very first military action of Saul’s reign as king was the rescue of Jabesh Gilead, and it was a huge success. Chapter 11 is without a doubt Saul at his best.
Jabesh Gilead had surrendered to Nahash the Ammonite and Nahash had given them a choice – “Either you all die, or, if you want to sign a treaty, you have to let me gouge out the right eye of very one of you so I can bring disgrace on Israel.” They were in deep trouble, but then…
1 Samuel 11:6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power
Look out Nahash. When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon an Israelite leader in power I do not care how big your army is – you had better run for the hills. Saul comes and wipes out Nahash and rescues Jabesh Gilead.
These valiant men from Jabesh Gilead who come take down Saul’s body may not have even been born with that rescue happened 40 years earlier back in chapter 11. But they heard the stories about it, and there seems to be some gratitude on behalf of that city.
So Saul’s life ends in mostly disgrace, however there is one little glimmer of honor. And it is honor that comes from the one time, years and years ago, when Saul acted under the power of the Holy Spirit. When you do something in the power of the Spirit it is amazing the impact it has – impact that can outlast your lifetime, and that can bring some benefits even after a life of rebellion against God. God honors the work of His own hands. So when the Holy Spirit works through you, expect God to honor that work – even if it is after you die. The Lord won’t let the work of His own Spirit fall to the ground.
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