I Samuel 14:33
‘Then they told Saul, saying, “Behold, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have acted treacherously; roll a great stone to me today.”’
The people shouldn’t have been eating the meat with blood in it. However, they were famished, because of Saul’s order to not eat any food. It’s ironic that Saul’s acting so sanctimoniously. I’m not sure how the Lord sees this, but it reminds me of when Jesus spoke about David’s soldiers and how they ate the bread in the temple. It wasn’t meant for them (Matthew 12:4). This extreme situation was overlooked due to the necessity. Jesus didn’t reprimand them. Quite the opposite. He gave it as an example when it’s ok to not follow the letter of the law.
The circumstance in Matthew 12 came up because the disciples were picking grain and eating while walking on the sabbath. Jesus had no problem with this. It may be that He initiated it.
The Lord made the sabbath to give us rest. He knew we need a brake. The pharisees created all sorts of rules and laws about what constituted work. The farmer was to take the day off. No picking of grain. However, if the farmer and his family were walking to town, snacking on the grain sustained their strength. It’s not like they were working in the fields. But just a convenient way to have a snack.
This “no picking” rule was an extreme rule. Over the centuries the teachers of the law wrote rules interpreting the Law. They got to be so picky that they missed the intent of the Law. Which was to give rest.
I love how David had such a correct understanding of the Lord. He knew God loved Him. He knew God wouldn’t hold the temple bread issue against him. How was it He had such a loving relationship with God, when he lived under the law? This is all speculation, but I believe His parents passed this on to him. He also may had some good teachers that influenced him.
We also have a particular understanding of God. It comes from those same influences. Some have God fearing parents in which they raise their kids in the faith. They can still be harsh. Fewer have parents that have a wonderful relationship with God. This modeling is passed on to the children. Church also is a big influence. Some have better children’s programs. They make it fun and really ground kids in the faith.
Let’s get back to our verse of the day. Saul was foolish and had a misunderstanding of the Lord. He was self focused. They fault was in his own household and his foolish order was a trap that his son got caught in. We also have the potential for foolishness. However our parents raise us in such a way to limit that. Proverbs 22:15 says, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.” God also uses trials and life circumstances to train us. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” A life yielded to God is a beautiful thing. That’s His desire for all of us.
Lord, thank You for the bible and the great pastors that teach us. Thank You for the great friends, parents and other influences that You have put in our lives. Help us to read Your Word and yield to Your guidance.