When God Makes a Selection
1 Sam. 16:1-13
God clearly values inner character and faith over mere outer appearance, choosing the most unanticipated person for leadership. God looks much deeper to recognize good character. We must force our judgment to peer deeper and ask questions that expose the correct kind of character.
Is there Really a Difference?
Now compare the two concepts across other scriptures,
realizing that true substance is far more important than public image:
1.
Character is What You Truly Are
·
1 Samuel 16:7. Accordingly,
we must not judge people based on physical stature and outward presentation but
evaluate the true condition of the character (the heart).
·
Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the
issues of life.” Our inward thoughts and motives dictate the reality of
our actions.
2.
Reputation is Merely What People Think
·
Ecclesiastes 7:1, “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day
of death than the day of one's birth.” While reputation has earthly
value, it is incredibly fragile.
·
Ecclesiastes 10:1, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send
forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for
wisdom and honour.” It warns how easily a reputation can be ruined by a
single unwise act.
·
Philippians 2:7 Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form
of a servant...” Christ prioritized fulfilling His Father's will and
perfect character over upholding an exalted public status.
3.
Two More Things Are Noteworthy Here:
· David was
the overlooked choice and selection of God. David was the youngest of
eight sons. He was considered so insignificant by his own family that he was
left behind in the fields tending sheep while his brothers attended a sacred
feast. By choosing the most unlikely candidate, God demonstrated that He
does not need human qualifications to accomplish His purposes.
· The power
of the Holy Spirit was permanently given (1 Sam. 16:13). When
Samuel anointed David with oil, the Spirit of the Lord “came upon David from that day forward”. Anointing with oil was
an symbol of being set apart for a holy, God-given mission. This divine
dedication points to God’s anointing equipping the chosen individual with
divine power, authority, and direction to fulfill this calling. This action represented unique and supernatural
empowerment. Unlike the Old Testament era where the Holy Spirit occasionally
came upon judges and kings for specific moments, this phrase indicates a
permanent equipping of David for his ultimate destiny as king.
· God
judges the heart (v. 7). The principle of verse 7 has always been true: People
do judge by looks, dress, and outward things. But today the mass media
encourage this faulty outlook by using glamorous people in advertisements,
television, and printed matter to such an extent that ordinary-looking people
don’t seem as satisfactory as they should. Saul was tall, dark, and handsome.
Actually, David was good-looking, too (v. 12), but still looked too young for
major service. Unfortunately the church, especially on television, has often
emphasized, not spirituality, but superficial glamor—with disastrous results
when these TV idols fall.[1]
In closing, the more we reject Bible-bases
qualities the more we seem to embrace self-centered and materialistic traits
without even realizing we are doing it. Things like beauty, physical
attractiveness, handsomeness and a charming appearance have replaced God-honoring,
productive, moral, consistent, and reliable attributes. Along with this
fascination with appearances people have resorted to collecting diplomas and
degrees, graduating from certain colleges, and certain state or federal
certification. Neighbors care more about the house, the lawn, the car, the
position, the amount made annually, and their carefully protected ‘image.’
People honestly believe these ‘advantages’ will serve them well…their goals
will be realized. In all this God is on the outside waiting to be invited into our
lives so we can stop pretending and finally get real. This emphasis consistently
stresses God’s criteria for leadership—faith, humility, and integrity—are
vastly different from the world’s measures. Beloved, we can finally start
growing inwardly and externally to effect significant change. We are NOT ‘Pharisees’…so
we can stop acting like them! It is time to permanently throw away the ‘mask’
and choose being real with God. Some individuals need to dethrone themselves,
others need to stop worshipping ‘stuff and things,’ while yet others must break
away from the grip of materialism. If we want our lives to mean something in
the long run then it is time to join God by being real, authentic, a true disciple….
If we are real with Him, we will have little difficulty being real with people.
[1]
William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible
Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 308–309.
