1 Samuel 13
Saul Fights the Philistines
Saul lived one year, then became king, and when he reigned over Israel for 2 years, Saul chose 3000 men of Israel. 2000 were with Saul in Michmash (desire) and the hill country of Bethel (unify), and 1000 were with Jonathan (soul; natural tendency to love, whether during God's will or self will) in Gibeah (spiritual significance) of Benjamin (dominant thoughts). The rest were sent home to their tents (flesh on and off). Jonathan defeated the garrison (stronghold) of Philistines at Geba (spiritual awareness), and the Philistines heard of it. Saul blew the trumpet (excitement) throughout the land (realization), saying, "Let the Hebrew hear." And all heard Saul defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel became a stench (repulsive) to the Philistines and the people (thoughts) were called out to join Saul at Gilgal (denial).
Time can pass and then all of a sudden desires of the flesh appear. Our spiritual side may attempt love to coexist, but though spiritual love may remove barriers, desires of the flesh bring a convincing form of excitement. Distractions may appear, but in this case, they are replaced with denial.
And the Philistines (distractions) mustered to fight with Israel, 30000 chariots (bodies), 6000 horsemen (intellect), and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude (overwhelm). They came up and encamped in Michmash (desire), to the east (yearning) of Bethaven (vanity). When Israel saw they were in trouble (they were hard pressed), the people (thoughts) hid themselves in caves and holes and rocks and tombs and in cisterns, and some Hebrews crossed fords of Jordan (subconscious thoughts) to the land of Gad (abundance) and Gilead (witness by spirit). Saul, still in Gilgal (deny), and all the people followed him trembling (troubled).
This byproduct of our self-centeredness can be all consuming when combined with our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It rests in what we crave and longs to expose itself. The moment it appears, we attempt to avoid it, but down inside of us, all of our thoughts coexist and we know what should and should not be. Our Holy Spirit always knows, but when that light is blocked, we find ourselves in conflict.
Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice
He waited 7 days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and people were scattering from him. Saul said, "Bring the burnt offerings here to me, and peace offerings." And he offered burnt offerings. When finished, behold, Samuel came. Saul went to meet and greet him. Samuel said, "What have you done?" Saul said, "When I saw people scattering from me, and that you did not come with days appointed, and that Philistines mustered at Michmash, I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.' So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offerings." Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, which he commanded you. For the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you." Samuel rose and went up from Gilgal. The rest of the people went up after Saul to meet the army; they went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin.
In order for us to redirect from a weakened state into peace, we must open a channel to God. Our physical passes into our hearts and through our spirit. We can then willingly let go of false beliefs and grow towards God. When we become impatient, we anxiously perform this out of order which violates conformity. Our Holy Spirit returns, along with our ability to question our reasoning. Our self-preservation reacts in blame and justification. A sense of guilt follows in this realization and a truth is revealed that we have lost control and an alternate form of trust is desired. We regroup.
And Saul numbered (designated) the people present with him, about 600 men. Saul and Jonathan his son (exalted thoughts) and people who were present stayed in Geba of Benjamin (higher consciousness), but the Philistines encamped in Michmash (desire). Raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in 3 companies. 1 toward Ophrah (actively focused), to the land of Shuul (resist); another toward Beth-horon (higher reasoning); and another toward the border that looks down on the Valley of Zeboim (volatile) toward the wilderness (unprepared).
We distinguish our collective thoughts to achieve a high sense of focused awareness, when desire cunningly weakens our ability to concentrate, it influences our decision making, thus revealing an unprotected state of unfamiliarity.
Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears." But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle, and the charge was 2/3 of a shekel for the plowshares and mattocks, and 1/3 for sharpening axes and setting the goads (prod). So on the day of battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any people with Saul and Jonathon, but Saul and Jonathon his son had them. And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.
Outside things may limit our coordinated effort, resulting in an alternative method in cultivating our ideas. Here, we place most of our emphasis in laying the groundwork and a lesser amount on power. When our soul and it's tendency to desire the spirit appears, our will is limited and our lower desires are subdued.
How this speaks to me...
This is tough and is taking me along time to wrap my head around. When a desire appears that opposes God's way pops into the head, there doesn't appear to be much resistance to it. Bargaining to ourselves that we're not harming anyone, not realizing that God has our own best interests at heart. Without God's help, this one is impossible to me. When we are in a weakened state and the opportunity to experience what we consider pleasurable appears, we give it considerable thought. Eventually, we pursue it on our own, like a drug. The byproduct is shame. We abstain for awhile, but once we think less of the consequences, desire returns. Impure thoughts return and we indulge. It's insane. Fortunately, within our soul, another form of desire is there and it is pure and it reestablishes our contact with God. This is the desire that needs cultivating.
Saul lived one year, then became king, and when he reigned over Israel for 2 years, Saul chose 3000 men of Israel. 2000 were with Saul in Michmash (desire) and the hill country of Bethel (unify), and 1000 were with Jonathan (soul; natural tendency to love, whether during God's will or self will) in Gibeah (spiritual significance) of Benjamin (dominant thoughts). The rest were sent home to their tents (flesh on and off). Jonathan defeated the garrison (stronghold) of Philistines at Geba (spiritual awareness), and the Philistines heard of it. Saul blew the trumpet (excitement) throughout the land (realization), saying, "Let the Hebrew hear." And all heard Saul defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel became a stench (repulsive) to the Philistines and the people (thoughts) were called out to join Saul at Gilgal (denial).
Time can pass and then all of a sudden desires of the flesh appear. Our spiritual side may attempt love to coexist, but though spiritual love may remove barriers, desires of the flesh bring a convincing form of excitement. Distractions may appear, but in this case, they are replaced with denial.
This byproduct of our self-centeredness can be all consuming when combined with our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It rests in what we crave and longs to expose itself. The moment it appears, we attempt to avoid it, but down inside of us, all of our thoughts coexist and we know what should and should not be. Our Holy Spirit always knows, but when that light is blocked, we find ourselves in conflict.
Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice
He waited 7 days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and people were scattering from him. Saul said, "Bring the burnt offerings here to me, and peace offerings." And he offered burnt offerings. When finished, behold, Samuel came. Saul went to meet and greet him. Samuel said, "What have you done?" Saul said, "When I saw people scattering from me, and that you did not come with days appointed, and that Philistines mustered at Michmash, I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.' So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offerings." Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, which he commanded you. For the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you." Samuel rose and went up from Gilgal. The rest of the people went up after Saul to meet the army; they went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin.
In order for us to redirect from a weakened state into peace, we must open a channel to God. Our physical passes into our hearts and through our spirit. We can then willingly let go of false beliefs and grow towards God. When we become impatient, we anxiously perform this out of order which violates conformity. Our Holy Spirit returns, along with our ability to question our reasoning. Our self-preservation reacts in blame and justification. A sense of guilt follows in this realization and a truth is revealed that we have lost control and an alternate form of trust is desired. We regroup.
And Saul numbered (designated) the people present with him, about 600 men. Saul and Jonathan his son (exalted thoughts) and people who were present stayed in Geba of Benjamin (higher consciousness), but the Philistines encamped in Michmash (desire). Raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in 3 companies. 1 toward Ophrah (actively focused), to the land of Shuul (resist); another toward Beth-horon (higher reasoning); and another toward the border that looks down on the Valley of Zeboim (volatile) toward the wilderness (unprepared).
We distinguish our collective thoughts to achieve a high sense of focused awareness, when desire cunningly weakens our ability to concentrate, it influences our decision making, thus revealing an unprotected state of unfamiliarity.
Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears." But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle, and the charge was 2/3 of a shekel for the plowshares and mattocks, and 1/3 for sharpening axes and setting the goads (prod). So on the day of battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any people with Saul and Jonathon, but Saul and Jonathon his son had them. And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.
Outside things may limit our coordinated effort, resulting in an alternative method in cultivating our ideas. Here, we place most of our emphasis in laying the groundwork and a lesser amount on power. When our soul and it's tendency to desire the spirit appears, our will is limited and our lower desires are subdued.
How this speaks to me...
This is tough and is taking me along time to wrap my head around. When a desire appears that opposes God's way pops into the head, there doesn't appear to be much resistance to it. Bargaining to ourselves that we're not harming anyone, not realizing that God has our own best interests at heart. Without God's help, this one is impossible to me. When we are in a weakened state and the opportunity to experience what we consider pleasurable appears, we give it considerable thought. Eventually, we pursue it on our own, like a drug. The byproduct is shame. We abstain for awhile, but once we think less of the consequences, desire returns. Impure thoughts return and we indulge. It's insane. Fortunately, within our soul, another form of desire is there and it is pure and it reestablishes our contact with God. This is the desire that needs cultivating.
