En-dor

1st Samuel 28

In the movie Star War: Return of the Jed the forrest moon planet in it was called Endor. It was home to the Ewoks. Now obviously this may show a little of my nerdyness but the reason why I bring this up is because En-dor gets brought up in this chapter and that is the only reason, there really is no connection. In this chapter we see just how far off Saul went in the deep zone. David is mentioned only in the first part but then we go and focus on Saul.

David was still in the land of the Philistines and serving Achish and now the Philistines were going to war against Israel. Interesting that David was now in a bind. 

Saul Seeks Help

Now Saul was in a bind not knowing what to do. He then realizes that he can turn to a witch to solve his problems. During this time there were mediums or witches and they were removed from the land. This was the practice of the surrounding nations to try to speak to spirits or the dead. This is something that God specifically spoke to Israel to not to do (Lev. 19:31). Saul had already disobeyed God by not listening to wait for Samuel and the sacrifice. He disobeyed God when he did not destroy the Amalekites when he was told to. He went to try to find help and he asked this woman to speak to the dead and more specifically to Samuel. 

The interesting thing was that she did and Samuel was there and speaking to Saul. Many people wonder about this particular passage and think about how could this happen. What we can see is that God allowed this to happen to speak to Saul. Saul needed to realize that he disobeyed God and God had taken the kingdom away from him. In this chapter we see that Saul will die in battle and so will his son, Jonathan. 

Tough News

Saul fell once he heard the news and did not want to eat or do anything. He realized the truth that was spoken a few chapters ago was true. I do not know if you you think about this but I wonder what would have happened if Saul would have repented and realized that he was in the wrong. In verse 15 we see that Saul is blaming God for not answering him but the truth is it was because of Saul. 

We have tough news too. In Romans 6:23 says that because of sin we receive death. If we stopped there that news would be tough. We would think, well how can I get past this point. All I have to hope for is hell and eternal death. That is very tough news. But it does not end there.  It continues by saying but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. He looks at our wretchedness and loves us and takes it away. The news may sound tough but it does not end there. It ends with hope and joy and life everlasting. Take hold of the hope that you have or can have. Grab hold of Jesus Christ the redeemer of lives. Do not forsake his doing and his salvation.