PROVERBS 3:5-8 “TRUST IN THE LORD” - OLD YEARS EVE MESSAGE

 

It is fitting that the last day of this year today falls on a Sunday, or as we prefer to call it – the Lord’s Day. We are bidding 2023 goodbye and look forward into 2024, comforted by the fact that despite a globally chaotic 2023 we may know that this world remains in God’s hands. For me personally it is also fitting to end my labours as a pastor of the Eastside Baptist Church among you on the Lord’s day. 

I do so solemnly and yet gratefully.

I have chosen this particular text from the book of Proverbs for this occasion, because it has been in many ways an anchor text for my life and ministry. In my pastoral practise and counselling, in hospitals and in many other settings I have shared and impressed this text   upon the minds and hearts of many people, young and old. Therefore it is fitting that I use this portion of sacred Scripture as my last word in my capacity as an outgoing pastor of the Eastside Baptist Church, as I commend you to the Lord with these words. I shall of course continue to use it, along with all the Bible, as  long as the Lord lends me breath. 

And now to the text.

1.      Introduction (3:1–4)

3:1–2 The father (Solomon) begins with two admonitions: “my son, do not forget…” lit. do not cut yourself off from my  authoritative teaching (Heb. torah), but “keep” (lit. guard) my “commandments”. The two admonitions in turn are linked to two promises, which are conditional upon the son’s obedience: (i) “length of days and years of life” and (ii) “peace” (Heb. Shalom-  indicating  a sense of holistic well-being)

3:3–4 These verses contain two further admonitions urging the son 

(i) not to let go of the virtues of “steadfast love and faithfulness” (Hebr. chesed -  covenantal faithfulness ) but to 

(ii) “bind them around your neck” – i.e. let these virtues  be  prominently  and visibly displayed  in his life (see 1:9).

Life needs a solid foundation. The Jews saw this in the Torah. We see it in the completed revelation of God which ends in Jesus (Hebr. 1:1-3). He is the fulfilment of the law. Let us  therefore make it our aim,  with all our heart,  to display  the Lord Jesus prominently in our lives. Let our lives be attractional displays. Let us find favour and good success in the eyes of God and man (3:4). Let us see how we may do this..

2.      Main Body (3:5–10)

3:5–6 Three admonitions (3:5–6a) challenge the son to “trust in the LORD”,

·         entirely—“with all your heart[1]”

·         exclusively—”do not lean/ rely on your own understanding”

·         extensively —“in all your ways acknowledge Him”

Charles Bridges says of these verses, that this is 'the polar star of the child of God- faith in his father’s providence, promises and grace'[2]. This is the North Star - and just as in old times  it guided  ships  in the ocean, these verses are able to guide the child of God in their life.

To trust the LORD means to put one’s entire confidence in God because He alone knows the complete picture. The word “trust” here (Hebr. batach) means literally to lie helpless, facedown- like a captured person. It is a picture of a man totally stretched out on his face before God. He is totally subjected to His will.  This reminds us of the Lord Jesus,  who  "fell on his face, and prayed ... not as I will, but as you will" (Mt. 26:39).

Self-confidence, trusting in our own abilities  by contrast is dangerous because of our own limited knowledge and understanding. It is not safe to trust in ourselves!  We must acknowledge Him in all  our ways,  literally “know him” (Hebr. yadah, “to know” - intimately and personally). It describes experiential knowledge (Prov.1:2). It is the knowledge David spoke about in his counsel to Solomon at the end of His life:

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will be found  by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever." (1 Chr.28:9).

Our trust in God grows as we learn more and more about Him. The more we know God, the more we get to know Him and trust Him, the easier it becomes to commit our ways to Him. Trusting God cannot be separated from intimacy with God. If we do this, we are assured of this promise: “He will make straight your paths”. The verb “to make smooth; to make straight”… (Hebr. yashar) indicates the making of the way free from obstacles cf. Isa 40:3. By trusting God, He will make the way smooth for the believer, even among many challenges, helping you to reach your heavenly goal.

3:7–8 Two admonitions:

(i)                 one is negative, warning the son “not to be wise in his own eyes” (i.e. not to be an arrogant know-it-all). Be very  careful in  making your own understanding, whatever seems reasonable and logical according to your temporal, human understanding  the measure of all things. You may yet find  that your thinking may be absolutely foolish when measured against the Bible. Learn to pray (Prayer is trusting God!) that you would be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Col. 1:9; Eph. 5:17).  Indeed, our greatest challenge in this life is to learn to think God’s thoughts after Him.

(ii)               The other admonition is positive, exhorting his son to “fear the LORD” (3:7) – which is the beginning, the starting point of knowledge (Prov. 1:7). Again the keeping of this command leads to two promises 

(a) that knowing and trusting God brings  “healing to  your flesh” (lit. navel[3])-  The image here is of the health-giving nourishment  which  flows from the mother’s body through the umbilical cord into her preborn baby’s body. The navel thus  symbolizes  the nourishing of the flesh – the  whole body  

(b) refreshment (lit. drink)  to the bones (i.e. skeleton). The  fear of the Lord is a healing flow into our sin-sick souls. It is the marrow or nourishment-drink, refreshment for our bones.

The wellness of flesh and bones signifies holistic, physical and spiritual health i.e. wholeness to body and spirit.

3:9–10 Here we find a single admonition followed by two promises. The admonition relates to the public worship of God. To “honour the LORD” means to think of Him as supreme and to show it publicly not only with our lips, but also with our lives... such as honouring the LORD with our wealth (3:9a) … expanded by “the giving of our first-fruits” (3:9b) … the giving of the very best. The double promise in 3:10 indicates that God will reciprocate with abundance to those who honour him with their wealth.

Conclusion (3:11–12)

The conclusion urges the son to embrace the LORD’s discipline because such discipline is rooted in love. It reflects the essence of a true father-son relationship. Hebrews 12:3–12 provides an authoritative commentary on these verses.  As Christians we need to learn to see ourselves as in God’s hands, and if in God’s hands, then in the hands of our heavenly Father. This means that  the sum-total of our experiences, the hills and the valleys, God’s encouragements  and His fatherly chastisement  must be  received as from His hands. 

SUMMARY

Our brief meditation has been on the nature  of  true  godliness  which  manifests itself   in

(i)                 3:1-4 Embracing the teaching (Torah- which has its end and perfection in Jesus), rooted in the covenantal disciplines of love and faithfulness. This really pleases God.

(ii)               3:5-8 Evidenced in  an experiential  trust in the LORD -  intellectual humility

(iii)             3:9-10  and seen in  actual works  such as  submission of material wealth to God’s rule  and patient acceptance of divine discipline (3:11–12).

APPLICATION : Reflections and Resolutions 

As  we find ourselves at the end of 2023, facing 2024 it is good  to use this text to make  some godly resolutions. 

Here are  4  questions, resolutions  and promises  taken from our text for our consideration 

1.      How have I related to God’s Word? 

Have I forgotten His teachings? Have I sinned against God’s commandments? Have I been a visible imitator of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness?

Resolution: Get to know His Word better in 2024 

Promise: A better quality of life - length of days (better quality of real living) and real peace; more favour  and good success in the eyes of God and man.

2.      Have I trusted God’s Word more than my own understanding? 

Have I acknowledged Him (made it my business to get to know Him more and more)? Have I been too wise in my own eyes?

Resolution: Trust God more implicitly; be more suspicious of my own capacities to understand; get to know Him better; fear Him; turn from all evil.

Promise:  I will be guided by God. He will make straight my crooked paths; my psychosomatic ills may disappear.  

3.      Have I honoured God in my life ?

Particularly with my wealth? Have I observed the First- fruits principle?  

Resolution: Be more deliberate in honouring God practically.

Promise: barns filled; vats bursting – meaning that you will know that you have more enough, when God becomes your Provider.

4.      How do I relate to God’s discipline? 

Have I perhaps despised Him for it? Have I become weary of it?

Resolution:  Learn to appreciate God’s discipline.

Promises:  Discipline is a sign that God loves you and delights in you.

I leave you now in God’s good hands, and trust  that the good work which He has begun in you He will be pleased to complete (Phil. 1:6) 

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[1] The “heart” commonly refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason (Prov. 3:3; 6:21; 7:3). It includes the emotions (Prov. 15:15, 30), the will (Prov. 11:20; 14:14), and thus, the whole inner being (Prov. 3:5). The heart is the fountain of all wisdom, the source of whatever affects speech (Prov. 4:24), sight (Prov. 4:25), and conduct (Prov. 4:26, 27).

[2] Charles Bridges: Proverbs, Banner of Truth,p.23

[3] Hebrew word for "body" = umbilical cord, navel (the source of nutrition in utero).

FAREWELL SERMON #3: Romans 16

 

This is the last of my three farewell sermons in which I take the 16^th chapter of Paul to the Romans. This chapter consists of a long list of personal greetings, along with some final instructions and a doxology. I want to use Paul’s outline to share some closing thoughts. 

1.         16:1- 16 Greetings to…

The bulk of this last chapter to the Christians in Rome contains a long list of people who had been a rich source of blessing to Paul. To them he sends his affectionate greetings. To begin with there was Phoebe (16:1-2).  Her name means “bright” or “radiant”. Phoebe is the first of thirty-five personal names, most of who are mentioned nowhere else in Scripture. Phoebe was the one who hand-delivered this letter to the church in Rome. She lived in Cenchreae, a harbour town east of the city of Corinth, located on an isthmus, a narrow strip of land sticking out into the Mediterranean sea. Paul had visited here on his third missionary journey (Acts 18cf 18:18).  Phoebe was a woman deeply committed to the church. She was known best for her servant spirit. She seemed to have been a woman of means, for she was a patron[1] to many and to Paul also.  The history of the church is resplendent with such women who were pillars in the church. The 18^th century evangelist George Whitefield speaks in such terms of Selina Hastings, the Countess of Huntingdon (1707-1791), a pivotal figure in the 18^thC. Evangelical Revival. She was a patron to many in the Calvinistic Methodistic Connexion.  

I think of my first experience of a Phoebe in terms of Winnie Branquino, a servant of the Walvis Bay Baptist church in the 1980’s. Her home and heart were always open. Her generosity was well known. I am also thinking of Linda Gibb, wife of a previous elder, the late Colin Gibb, a remarkable man in his own right. What a kind and generous soul she was to the church- deeply interested in people. She was, like the mother of Rufus, a mother in the Lord to us (16:13).

Then there are Priscilla and Aquila (16:3)[2], Paul’s fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who had "risked their necks" for Paul, and in whose home there was a church meeting (1 Cor. 16:19). This was a special ministry couple with whom Paul felt deeply connected. They had first met in Corinth (Acts 18). They were theologically astute, mature, faithful and hospitable believers.   These are rare couples indeed, but we have them at Eastside too! I pray that many more of you younger couples will become such in the church.

And then there was Epaenetus, Paul’s first convert in Asia. To my shame I cannot remember the first convert at Eastside, but one of them is Mike Callesen whom the Lord saved and delivered in a most remarkable  and dramatic way from the power of the devil.  Then there is “Mary who has worked hard for you” (16:6). The same is said of the “beloved  Persis who has worked hard in the Lord” (16:12).  Here I remember a whole bunch of people. I begin with our church administrators – Carmen Steyn (neé Yates), Henriette de Koning, Cheryl Corringham- our longest serving administrator to date, Liz Walters and her pastoral heart, Linda Rush and her quiet, unassuming, hardworking efficiency, and now we have our happy soul in the church office - Monica Simon.

Into this category I also place those who have worked hard in establishing the church’s financial accountability through our Fincom, which began under the leaderships of Etienne Fourie, Douglas Reissner and Le’ahm Lucas. We thank God for many faithful givers over many years  - who responded gladly in generous and anonymous giving, because they believed that the furtherance of the gospel needed that kind of support. We have never needed to supplement the church funds with bazaar’s and the like. God has always supplied our needs through free, un-coerced giving. Praise be to God! We have always preached the gospel for free, at weddings and funerals. No cent, no money was ever required of those that were glad or sad. On the contrary, we steadfastly refused to take money for such occasions.

I also think of the Administrative Steering Committee which was first conceptualised and implemented by Daniel and Renee van den Bergh. I think of hands-on, diligent, practical hard working men like Andre Walters. I think of our deacon, Douglas Reissner who has shepherded so many people through practical challenges. I think of all the deaconally minded and gifted people in the church that have reached out and helped so many inside and outside the church community. Our good friends Niels and Bente Bernstein are worthy of special mention. The diaconal spirit of Phoebe lives in them.

I now also think of my fellow workers in the pastoral ministry (16:7,9,12). We appointed our first youth pastor, Mark Nieuwoudt, a BI graduate in 1994. He left us in 1996 for a calling to St Helena island. We struggled to have biblical elders for 12 years, because of much internal division and unhelpful influences from the outside, but we did eventually find them and appointed them in 2003. Before that happened God sent men like Erroll Hulse from the UK, Martin Holdt, Brian Stone and Erroll Wagner from South Africa to help us, and to relieve me from time to time, when we had no elders. I thank God for the many brothers in the ministry across Southern Africa with whom I enjoyed cordial relationships and friendships. The men of the Spurgeon fraternal which we started in 1998 were a life line to me. The work of Reformation is not for the fainthearted.  We started the SOLA 5 Association in 2005 – a network of God centred Evangelicals in Southern Africa.  We must not forget  the men from Zambia – men like Ronald Kalifungwa and Conrad Mbewe who have helped us in the greater work of the reformation of the Namibian church.

The start of an eldership at Eastside in 2003, following many years of severe trials, produced men like Colin Gibb who is now with the Lord, and also Pieter Slabber.  The biblical, 1Timothy 3 driven eldership finally settled the church. We thank God at this time especially for Pieter, converted under this ministry. He has served this church for 20 years as an elder. In time Norman van Zyl was added. He is now released for church planting work among Afrikaans speakers. Nsenduluka Kapambwe, a Zambian brother was ordained in April 2010 and led the church plant at Grace Reformed Baptist Church under our oversight for 2 years. That church is doing well by the grace of our Lord. Frans Brits was first ordained as an elder in September 2014 and as a vocational elder in January 2017.  The latest addition to our eldership is our faithful brother, Le’ahm Lucas. We also mention our first pastoral intern, Todd Hammerstrom (2007-2009) now in the USA,and Uaundja Karamata (2019-2021)   who is now our designated church planter in Otjiwarongo.  

I think of so many others that have served the church as early youth leaders (e.g. Lameck Mwewa/ Andrew and Irmela Jamieson) the Sunday School, for many years under our superintendent Bill Puckey, and the many  Crèche teachers, small group leaders – not forgetting those that do the work of the ministry  right now. You know who you are.  

I think of that precious little group of faithful Saturday morning prayer warriors (Here I think specifically of dear Dr. Zimba)  over the years. May the Lord increase their tribe among us! I don’t think that I have ever missed a prayer meeting when I was in town.  The church advances by prayer. Prayer is expressing confidence in God’s power. By prayer we have sometimes seen mountains moved.

I think of our many church musicians over the years. I believe that Ronelle Laue is our longest standing musician today.  Please forgive me for being sparse in my mentioning of many of you.

I think of the evangelistic and missionary efforts of the church. In early years we did much street work and tract distribution in the homes of our street, when you could still enter at a gate. Eastside has always been active in promoting partnerships with other churches and church planting endeavours, from the Zambezi (Caprivi) region down to Lüderitz. In the early  2000’s we undertook a mission trip into Angola (Menongue) and now, as we speak,  we are privileged to minister to many Angolans. 

There are so many people I now think of. Many of course are no longer with us, having moved elsewhere in the world or having been promoted to glory. Some have left for reasons best known to themselves, being disaffected or disappointed that we could not be more to them. Had everyone stayed we would have been well over a thousand members. We certainly have seen many come and go over the years. Our persistent prayer for them has been, “Lord, may they leave in a better shape than they have come. Make them fruitful wherever they go”.  

As Paul concluded his letter to the Romans, he was filled with such grateful, thankful memories concerning those that had co-laboured with him in the work of the gospel. So it is right that we should spend the bulk of this morning in such reflections. He not only greeted many of them by name, but he also expressed his gratitude for what they had done. What an example for all of us to follow!  What makes this list so amazing is the fact that Paul had never been to Rome! Most of the people which he mentions are those whom he had met on his journeys elsewhere and who had subsequently taken up residence in Rome. Think of the energy of having to keep in touch with all these people! Imagine Paul keeping this list of people alive in his mind, wondering, how are Asyncritus and Patrobas doing? Where in the world is Hermes now? Is he still walking in the faith?  How are Philologus and Julia and Nereus and his sister (I forgot her name), and Olympas and all the many others doing? What can I pray for?

We know from the testimony of other Scriptures that this is the way Paul related to people (e.g. Phil. 1:3-5), and here they are – their names are mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. How wonderful to know that the names of all the redeemed are written in God's book in heaven (Lk. 10:20; Phil. 4:3) but just as a token of this fact, we also find the names of some of these saints written in  the Bible - God's book on earth.

2.         16:17-20 Watch out for…Hold on to

Watch out: How wonderful to reflect positively upon all the good that God has given. Unfortunately life in a fallen world is not tidy. The church is not exempt.  Here in closing (as in most of his letters) Paul has a word of warning, in particular concerning those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught. Concerning these Paul says, “Avoid them”[3], and then he gives an insightful comment, “for such persons do not serve or Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.” I remind you that churches have a strange attraction for people with strange motives, whose problem can be simply described as, “…they serve their own appetites“.  Avoid them! Paul has a list of them too![4]  I remind you that even Jesus had his Judas.  So be aware that there will always be such in the life of the church. Train yourself [5] then with a biblical mind-set to discern what is good and  in accordance with Christian character  and what is evil, and contrary to the spirit of Jesus.  Do not disregard character traits, works of the flesh  such as are described in Galatians 5:19-21. Such things if unconfessed and not repented of, and not dealt with in the church will bring a bitter harvest.

Hold on: See what follows in 16:19-20. The church at Rome, like the Thessalonian church[6]  was known for her obedience to   the Lord Jesus Christ. That is a wonderful thing to say about a church, and I trust that the Head of this church, the Lord Jesus Christ will say that about you – this generation. Eastside in her first generation was not that church. Take note this piece of pastoral advice,  “I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.” Learn to be discerning by focussing on what is good. “Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it” (Jer. 6:16). Watch out for what you feed upon, for what you feed upon determines how you act and react. Eastside needs people who feed on what is good. God’s Word is good.  We need to be good – biblically good people to this broken world. That is the counter culture which we so desperately need for life in this broken world. As for the rest, know that God will soon bring all evil to an end. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”(16:20).

May God preserve this local church for a long time. For this reason you must make sure that you appoint church leaders of proven character. You must also make sure that only people with a credible testimony of conversion and a commitment to Christ and to the church become members. Insist on biblical obedience. Insist on an active membership. Don’t keep people on your church register who do not attend. Christ prunes the dead branches from the living vine. (John 15)

3. 16:16, 21-23 Greetings from …

Again we see how connected Paul is in his life and thoughts. Greetings to (16:1-16) and now greetings from (16:16, 21-23) …Remember always that you are connected to others: “All the churches of Christ greet you (16:16). Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius the writer of this letter, Gaius Paul’s host, and the whole church at Corinth, and even Erastus the city treasurer and Quartus send greetings. Continue to be prayerfully aware of our sister churches in Namibia and in Southern Africa. Our church bulletin will keep you updated.  Be connected to the bigger body of Christ, in as far as those churches hold to the teachings of God’s Word. Don’t waste your time with churches that have no room for the Word of Jesus, unless you are sent to do the work of reformation in them. In that case you better be spiritually strong.

4. 16:25-27 Doxology       

I will be brief here. See what it is that strengthens you: the gospel- the preaching of Jesus Christ. The heart of his gospel was the revelation of a Person, Jesus Himself. He is the heart of the gospel. Insist that your preachers show you the Lord Jesus Christ from the Bible. I have aimed to do that for 34 years – to tie your hearts to Jesus. I must now lay down this charge which I have received from God and you, back in January 1990. I was charged to proclaim the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to instruct you from the Word of God, to admonish, to comfort, to reprove you. I was charged to faithfully administer the ordinances and to pray for you. I was charged to disciple you into the obedience of Christ.

In becoming members of this church (as per your church membership application) you promised in turn to receive the Word of Truth and to live by its truths, as also outlines in our 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith.  You promised to submit to the pastoral care provided. You promised to pray for me and my family with encouragement and financial care. 

I thank you, my sisters and brothers, for the love, kindness, and support shown me and my family these past  34 years, and especially in latter years. I am grateful for the ministry we have shared together. With joy I recall what we accomplished with God’s help, and with sadness those dreams not fulfilled. Finally I ask your forgiveness for mistakes made and expectations not met. I fall on the kind arms of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Numbers  6:24-26

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[1]  Patron: A person who supports a cause

[2] There are  6 references to this couple in the Bible : Acts 18:2-3,18, 26; Rom.16:3; 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Tim.4:19

[3] See also 2 Thess. 3:6,14 ; Titus 3:10

[4] 1 Tim. 1:19,20; 2 Tim. 2:17,18; 2 Tim. 4:10,14

[5] 1 Tim.4:7,8

[6] 1 Thess. 1:7-10

FAREWELL SERMON #2: 1 Samuel 12

 

This is the second of my three farewell sermons, in which I want to use the words of Samuel by which he addresses his final words to the nation of Israel. Again I remind you that I am not Samuel, and you are not Israel.  But there are abiding and useful principles here which we want to explore for  our benefit.

1.      SOME BACKGROUND TO  1 SAMUEL 12 

Samuel was effectively the last Judge of Israel. He follows the book of Judges. In his days Israel was looking for a king (1 Samuel 8). Despite many warnings from Samuel concerning the manners and the ways of kings, and despite the fact that Israel actually had God as their King ( for she was a theocratic nation), they insisted on having flesh and blood to rule over them, and so Israel receives their first king in the person of Saul (1 Samuel 9 & 10).  Initial reviews on Saul are wonderful, until he loses the plot.

2.      12:1  A LESSON IN BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP

12:1 “And Samuel said to all Israel, "Behold[1], I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you”. Let’s try to understand this. If kings were dangerous to Israel’s existence, why did Samuel give into them now? The answer is found in 8:19-22. It was actually God who handed Israel over to her own desires. Sometimes we just have to learn the hard way. And the problem is actually not with wanting a king. The problem is that kings are sinners, and people are sinners. Sinful kings can easily become manipulative and abusive and sinful people can easily become lazy and non-involved, allowing their kings to take over their lives. Kings take away our need to lean heavily on God.

Let me apply this immediately. The church under the headship of her king, the Lord Jesus is designed to function as a body, as each member participates according to their spiritual gifts and abilities (1 Cor.12, Rom.12:3-8). To the church under the headship of Christ belongs the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). That was exactly the way Israel was designed to function under the leadership of God. The function of OT/ NT leaders was never to take away or substitute the responsibility of the work of ministry from the people, but to teach, lead  and encourage God’s people toward the exercise of their duty. Pastors/ elders are not given to do the work of the ministry. They participate in the work of the ministry by equipping the saints.

Again, what is the problem with leaders and what is the problem with the people? The leaders very easily take over the work in a power grabbing fashion, and the people easily become laid back and lazy. They like to pay someone to do the work for them.  The problem with the leader is that if he doesn’t keep himself sanctified and under the rule of Christ, he begins to feel a sense of entitlement and of inflated self- importance. That would become Saul’s problem very soon. And it would lead to his eventual disqualification. Knowing this, and despite his reservations Samuel appointed Israel's first human king by God’s permission.

3.      12:2- 5 NOT SO WITH SAMUEL…

We are not going to engage in a study of the differing leadership styles of Saul and Samuel.  All that needs to be said is that Samuel’s leadership style most closely reflects that which Jesus taught us about servant leadership[2].

Israel was not to be the king’s possession. It was not to be Saul’s or Samuel’s possession. Israel was God’s people, and as such they were not to be abused – least of all economically (see Samuel’s warning again in 8:10-18). The same is true for the New Testament church. Applying this once again to the NT this does not mean that the church should not (even generously) reward those servant leaders that labour in the Word (2 Tim 5:17,18). Sadly, many Namibian churches are sinning against the Lord by not providing an adequate living stipend for their pastors. Having said that we must insist that pastors are not there to enrich themselves. That is the other side of the sad story as it relates to the current phenomenon  of  abusive prosperity teachers. The kings of Israel quickly became very opulent and self- entitled, but you could not say this about Samuel.

As I lay down this calling, I am calling you to judge me in this matter (12:3ff). I have not used my position to enrich myself. The generous stipend that you have given me lately was substantially used to buy a home. That is my husbandly duty to my wife. I have not hoarded money. I have given to others in need. I have spent much of the stipend in one way or the other on this ministry… and with deep joy. I am not walking out here as a wealthy man.

Furthermore I also assure you, that as much as I know, I have not wanted to seek glory for myself. I have not laboured for your recognition or your praise. I was thankful when I received your encouragement, but I carried on even when I did not feel encouraged, knowing that our ultimate reward shall come from God. 

I also have not wanted to hold on to my position.  I am laying down my work for these reasons

(i)                 my work among you, as a pastor is done. I have given what I could.

(ii)               it is now time for a sustained sabbatical, and if God keeps me healthy, I wish to continue in a ministry that is more focussed  on my strengths  

(iii)             I have worked myself out of a job. God has supplied new leaders - and you need   to use them, and I must get out of the way for them to do that. That doesn’t mean that I cease to exist. It simply means that I exist in a different capacity.   It is interesting  to note that although Samuel closes with this farewell speech, we still hear of him  in other contexts, until we finally we hear  of his death in  1 Samuel 25:1.

Samuel is a study in integrity. Our ethics are driven by personal beliefs and values. Our morals are expressed in the way in which we live our lives.  Integrity is when our ethics are proven by our morals - when what we say we believe is matched by how we live our lives.

I trust that I have lived with the integrity of an imperfect man before you.

In 12:4-5 we note the people’s response… The people confirm Samuel’s integrity and in addition Samuel calls on God to confirm his testimony.  We know that Samuel wasn’t a perfect man. But he had integrity, and I trust that this is true for you and me.

And now we want to consider that which undergirds Samuel’s faithfulness: God’s faithfulness!

4.      12:6-18 GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AND A CHALLENGE TO ISRAEL NOT TO BE UNFAITHFUL.

In this passage we hear overtones of Joshua. The closing words of both these leaders include a strong exhortation to the people to stay faithful. Their history shows,

(i)                 God’s covenantal faithfulness

(ii)                Israel’s frequent unfaithfulness

12:6-11 Samuel, by  means of a survey, from the Exodus from Egypt,  to Israel’s entrance into the promised land  shows them again and again how Israel fell into the routine  of slavery /idolatry and delivery as  God  delivered them both, up to their enemies, and  from  their enemies  by  sending  deliverers (Judges) time and again in response to the people’s desperate  prayers. The LORD sent Jerubbaal (Gideon) and Barak (Bedan[3]) and Jephthah and Samuel…, and you lived in safety (12:11). The point is that Israel was delivered time and again by God their King. The deliverers were God’s instruments. And yet despite God’s interventions, “they forgot the Lord their God” – breaking the first and most important requirement of the Sinai covenant— (12:9; cf. Deut. 8:11).

But God did not forget Israel, nor His covenant with Israel. Even in the handing over of His people, God loved His people.

12:12 Israel’s unfaithful response to God: “And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' when the LORD your God was your king.  For Samuel this became the next level of rebellion against God! Israel  forgot that God their King had delivered them from the hand of the Philistines in 1Sam.7. They forgot their own history in the book of the Judges. They were determined to have a human king to reign over them. Samuel saw this as a betrayal, but God bore with His people’s  choice  and  said  in  12:13-14,  “And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well.   There are 4 conditions, 3 positive and 1 negative - fear God, serve God, obey God, and do not rebel against God. All would be well if king and people hold on to God.  If not – see 12:15.

Moses had warned the first generation of Israel who had been delivered from bondage in Egypt - “But it shall come about, if you do not obey the LORD your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you (Deut.28:16-68). Joshua gave a similar warning to the second generation who had entered the promised land - “If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you.” (Josh 24:20ff).

Eastside Baptist Church , I can only say this to you: Keep your hearts attached to the King of the church. Love Him, serve Him. Worship Him. Don’t substitute anything or anyone for Christ. Learn from Samuel. Learn from the failures of Israel, and learn from the failures of the church. Paul rebuked the Corinthian Christians for being man-centred (1Cor. 1:11-13). Focus sharply on the Lord Jesus. Keep your soul under His word, and hold your leaders accountable to preach the Word to you. In that process, keep your Sundays for God, pray always, and expect God to work and to authenticate Himself (12:16-18).  Samuel is telling Israel to prepare themselves to see a sign from the LORD, which would authenticate the warning he had just given them. Rain during the wheat harvest (late May to early June) was unusual, and yet the Lord sent the rain and thunder to authenticate Samuel's words to the people. The mark of a true prophet in the biblical sense of that word is seen in God’s authentication of his words.

12:19 Seeing this authentication of Samuel’s words, the people suddenly realise that their asking for a human king was a great sin against God. In that sense, their response is good, because it amounts to a confession of their sin. Again one is reminded of the spiritual depth of Samuel’s ministry. His ministry was rooted in a sincere and consistent prayer life. This fact was clearly recognized by the people in 1 Sam 12:19. Samuel’s prayer footprint is clearly seen in 1 Sam.12:23; cf. 1 Sam.7:5ff; 1 Sam 8:6ff. Samuel did not consider prayer an option to be exercised at convenient moments. It was essential and integral to His ministry. While I am no Samuel, I have been in prayer for you, and I have regularly called you to be faithful in prayer. 

5.      12:20-25  A REVELATION OF  SAMUEL’S PASTORAL HEART

As people  see and process  the reality of Samuel’s pastoral ministry to them  we find  that…

(i)                 Samuel calms their fear. They are not in danger of imminent destruction (12:20a).  

(ii)               Samuel does not gloss over their sin. What they had done was serious (12:20b)

(iii)             Samuel warns them not to turn aside from God's commandments (12:21a). The best preventative to keep from turning aside is to serve the LORD with all your heart.

(iv)              He tells them not  to trust in empty things that cannot deliver (12:21b)  

(v)                He tells them  that God will not forsake His people (12:22)

(vi)              He  assures them of his ongoing personal prayer for them (12:23)

(vii)            He exhorts them again to cling to God with all their hearts (22:24).

(viii)          He warns them again (12:25).

These are the marks of a biblical ministry. I trust that you have had a taste of this. 

The ministry that you will most benefit from is a ministry that speaks for God and which loves people. In that order, and never the other way around!

My greatest duty has been to lead you into the arms of the Great Shepherd.

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[1] Behold, ( Heb. hinneh;  Gr. LXX idou = aorist imperative)

[2] Mark 10:42-45; Matt 20:25-28 ;  John 13:12-17 ; Phil. 2:5-8

[3] Bedan is not mentioned in the book of Judges, suggesting the possibility there were other judges in that 300 year period. There is another possibility that this was a copyist's error because the Septuagint and Arabic versions both have the name for Barak (Jud. 4) cf. ESV and NIV versions.  Samuel is the last judge. God used him to deliver Israel so that "the Philistines were subdued and they did not come anymore within the border of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel." (1Sam. 7:13ff).