“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Israel wanted a King.  They faced many oppositions as they traveled to the promised land.  They met war and oppression every step of the way. Finally, when they acquired their land they fought to retain it.

Israel wondered if blending in with other nations., might help them to be accepted and therefore face less opposition.  So, they decided that a King was the answer. A leader that would ride onto the battlefield, adorned in royal regalia like the other leaders. Their own King wearing golden armor surrounded by an entourage with banners flying high.   Not a prophet wearing a long linen robe saying, “Thus saith the Lord “and attempting to negotiate their affairs. Israel wished to be respected and admired as a powerful new nation.  Its image was essential.  Unfortunately, what was important to Israel was offensive to God.

God was known to Israel, yet unknown and unseen to other nations.  Israel was to be the example God would use to introduce Himself to those other nations.  Their integrity and values were to influence the world. God wanted Israel to be spiritual, but Israel wanted to live like the other nations carnal and worldly. So, God gave them what they desired.  He gave them a king, Saul- a disaster waiting to happen.

Even though they rejected God, they got their King. They suffered for their poor decisions and suffered more so under his oppressive leadership. His mental health became so bad that he could no longer make any sound decisions. His outcome saddened the prophet so much that God had to counsel Samuel. but the prophet continued to speak the words that God told him to speak. nothing changed that!

God continued to give Samuel guidance until the Lord led Samuel to David, who would be their next king. A king with integrity, a man, according to Samuel,“ A man after  God’s own heart.” 1Samuel 14.

Oppression and injustice are principles that are important to God. How we interpret these concepts in our daily lives may not be significant to us, but it is to Him. Godly values create great leaders and a great country. 

Does it matter to God whether we can afford luxurious items, or take vacations to exotic lands? Those things mean extraordinarily little to God. But He will give you the desires of your heart because He already knows that we humans love that stuff.

But if we desire to know what God loves, we can study the Bible which will teach us. What God loves are people willing to take a stand against evil. Not standing on political platforms and on television merely talking about justice. Such hypocrisy only stirs God’s anger. He loves justice, integrity, and truth. As the Bible states, “Behold You desire truth in the inward parts. And in the hidden part, You will make It me know wisdom. Psalm 51:6. NKJV.