Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Providence, Not Chance

Reflections on 1 Sam. 23:14-29

God’s purpose throughout this part of David’s life was to preserve and prepare him to be the next king of Israel. But how does God, who “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11), accomplish his purpose without making robots of his creation? The story of David’s escape in the wilderness shows how God can providentially accomplish his purpose even while allowing men to oppose it.

DIVINE RESOLUTION. First, this story demonstrates that the wishes of men do not force God to abandon his purpose. When the Ziphites offered to help Saul capture David, Saul called upon the Lord to bless the Ziphites for assisting him in his efforts to capture David and kill him, but God was not obligated to act inconsistently with His purpose at man’s bidding. The only prayers God promises to answer are those made in accordance with His will (1 John 5:14).

DIVINE LIMITATION. Second, this story shows that God does not force humans to submit their wills to Him. Saul’s will was to hate David, and God did not force Saul to love David. Though God thwarted Saul’s attempts to harm David, He left Saul free to live consistently with his character. The will of the Ziphites was to give Saul intelligence about where David usually traveled, what people frequently saw him (and probably helped him or did business with him), and where he hid. God did not stop the Ziphites from providing this intelligence. Saul used it well, and trapped David between two divisions of his army.

DIVINE DISTRACTION. Finally, the story shows that God has many means to accomplish His purpose. In this case, God providentially sent idolatrous Philistines into Israel. Their threat to the kingdom was so great that Saul was forced to abandon his pursuit of David at the very moment victory seemed within his grasp. In this way, God preserved David’s life so that He might eventually give him the throne of Israel.

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