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HE HEWED AGAG IN PIECES
One of the most pressing issues as Christians is that we be delivered from the influences of our natural minds. Dr. Charles Stanley has well said that every day when we awake we face three enemies – ourselves, the world about us and Satan. Accordingly, Romans 8:6 says that “the mind of the flesh [is] death” (ourselves) and Galatians 1:4 shows us that it is a “present evil world” (the world system about us – which is an extension, speaking broadly, of man’s natural mind as a fallen creature). Last, we see that Satan is “the ruler of the world” – showing his power to influence and affect the natural mind in a fallen world (John 14:30).
In 1 Samuel 15 we have teaching illustrative of the results of evident unjudged, natural inclinations and predispositions. We should, of course, be well aware at the outset as to the true character of our natural minds. We see in Romans 8:7, as just alluded, that “the mind of the flesh is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God; for neither indeed can it be”. This is sobering language. The believing Christian as a redeemed person should recognize the incorrigibility of their original, fallen natural “self” – referenced in the Scripture as “the old man which corrupts itself according to the deceitful lusts” (Ephesians 4:22).
This is the first man, the fallen Adam – the unregenerate man removed by God through the death of the Cross. This “old man” must be removed – he cannot be rehabilitated. A brother spoke many years ago to the effect that we can hammer at the flesh/old man all day long in an attempt to improve it; but, have no viable result. And so, the Bible emphasizes that God is starting anew through redemption, and the Lord showed in His parable that new wine cannot be put into old skins, “otherwise the skins burst and the wine is poured out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into new skins, and both are preserved together”. The new wine and new skins bespeak redemption – a new nature through new birth, and the indwelling place and power of the Holy Spirit.
It is evident that many Christians labor along trying to effectuate proper Christianity by working fruitlessly with the old skin and the old wine – rather than recognizing that “if any one [be] in Christ, [there is] a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We cannot patch up the old man (Matthew 9:16-17); indeed, we cannot even teach the old man – “But [the] natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him; and he cannot know [them] because they are spiritually discerned” (2 Corinthians 2:14). It should be noted that for these reasons shown above but especially this latter reason that the attempts in Christendom to enhance the word of God with naturally-minded embellishments and methods are fruitless – the natural senses might be affected; but, the desired spiritual results are not gained. In this respect 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 tells us “…. that we may know the things which have been freely given to us of God: which also we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, communicating spiritual [things] by spiritual [means]”.
We see in In 1 Samuel 15 that, through the prophet Samuel King Saul had been given specific instructions from the Lord: “Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: I have considered what Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and destroy utterly all that they have, and spare them not, but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.”
This is simple language. Amalek represents a people inveterately opposed to God and His people, and Exodus 17:16 shows that there will never be a change with Amalek – “Jehovah will have war with Amalek from generation to generation!” Amalek is a reflection of our old man – “self” – totally, adamantly opposed to God, His work and His rights. Amalek was a grandson of Esau, and Esau hated his brother Jacob (Genesis 27:41)[1]. When God moves to redeem a soul and deliver such from Egypt (the world system), Amalek/self is set to resist.
King Saul represents a Christian who is not properly delivered from “self”. Many of us tend, as is evident with Saul, to linger over and retain certain features and inclinations of the old man. Naturally, Saul was appealing – he was “choice and comely; and there was not among the children of Israel a comelier person than he; from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.” Christian appearances will not suffice, as sooner or later any unjudged flaws will become evident. We see this in 1 Samuel 16:7 in respect to Eliab, David’s brother – “Jehovah said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him; for it is not as man seeth; for man looketh upon the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh upon the heart.”
So, sadly enough, we soon find that Saul was not a spiritual brother. It is true that “the Spirit of God came upon him” (1 Samuel 10), and we do see that, in Saul’s initial reign as King, he had circumstances in which “he did valiantly” (1 Samuel 14:47-48); but, the Holy Spirit already a chapter earlier had noted His evaluation of Saul’s shortcomings (1 Samuel 13:13). It is evident that Saul was not properly responsive to all into which the Holy Spirit would lead him (“And when ye turn to the right hand or when ye turn to the left, thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it” – Isaiah 30:21). As a result, we immediately see in Saul’s early history indications of, as it were, his Christian shortcomings. This is much like ourselves, isn’t it – we are indwelt by “the Spirit of truth, he shall guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13); but, the flesh in us, if allowed, strives to preserve facets of our natural self.
In 1 Samuel 9 Saul was given a mission to retrieve his father’s lost asses (a mission of a shepherd, such as we see with King David …. or, preeminently, the Lord, the Great Shepherd of His people); but, after some days without result he was ready to give up the mission. It was his manservant who said to him, “Behold now, a man of God is in this city, and the man is held in honour; all that he says comes surely to pass. Let us now go thither: perhaps he will shew us the way that we should go.”
Saul then says, “But if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and we have no present to give to the man of God: what have we?” This reminds us of the foolish virgins of Matthew 25 who did not have the necessary oil in their vessels, and, again, it is the unnamed servant who has the resources – “And the servant answered Saul again and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver; that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.”
With no desire to be unduly condemnatory (we all have shortcomings, do we not), these are early signals to, as it were, a faulty Christianity. These are then followed by Saul, at his inauguration as king, found to be hiding among the baggage (1 Samuel 10:22).
We can say that Saul’s critical test is shown in 1 Samuel 15, and we learn that “Saul smote Amalek from Havilah as thou comest to Shur, which is opposite to Egypt. And he took Agag the king of Amalek alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. And Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep and oxen, and beasts of the second bearing, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not devote them to destruction; but everything that was mean and weak, that they destroyed utterly.”
We must note this language. Agag the king – the ultimate representation of Amalek – was spared, and “the best” of all else. This is most telling – and, is it not our natural character to spare of the old man “the best” – what we think to be acceptable? As Christians we can certainly see many features of the flesh that clearly must not be tolerated; but, then, perhaps “the best” – as being not so gross or evil – we allow. However, it is clear that, through the Cross of Christ, we must completely remove Amalek/the old man as God has so removed him through “the death of the Cross” (Philippians 2:8). This is to say that we cannot, to use a military term, give any quarter to the old man – those of the tribes of the land that the Israelites were unsuccessful in extirpating out of the land subsequently rebelled. We can verify in our own histories how true it is that, figuratively speaking, “if ye will not dispossess the inhabitants of the land from before you, those that ye let remain of them shall be thorns in your eyes, and pricks in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land wherein ye dwell” (Numbers 33:55). Our unjudged, natural proclivities will continue to bedevil us.
When Samuel appears, Saul says to him, “Blessed art thou of Jehovah: I have fulfilled the word of Jehovah” (1 Samuel 15:13). This is a faulty judgment, and we see how the flesh will try to substantiate its legitimacy. But, what does Samuel – the spiritual man of the day say? “And Samuel said, What [means] then this bleating of sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of oxen which I hear?”. God is gracious and longsuffering with us; but, He will never accept as valid whatever it is that does not comport with righteousness – and, Samuel did not acquiesce for an instant in this attempt to promote error as truth.
King Saul then makes a variety of excuses; but, as King, he is the most responsible element (“And to every one to whom much has been given, much shall be required from him” – Luke 12:48) and Samuel says to him, “Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, Attention than the fat of rams …. And selfwill is [as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, He hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15:23).
These are sobering words. It doesn’t mean that Saul, so to speak, has lost his Christianity; but, the judgment upon him is honest and valid. He is not fit to be a proper king – Proverbs 16:10 says, “An oracle is on the lips of the king: his mouth will not err in judgment.” So, Samuel tells him that his failure runs counter to the position into which God had placed him – and, that there are consequences.
Can we truthfully say that we have never rebelled against God – against His Word – against the teaching of Scripture? I judge not – the apostle says “For we all often offend” (James 3:2). And yet – think of these solemn words of Scripture – the estimate of the Holy Spirit – “rebellion” …. “selfwill”. Saul even argued with Samuel – he said, “I have indeed hearkened to the voice of Jehovah, and have gone the way which Jehovah sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the devoted things, to sacrifice to Jehovah thy God in Gilgal.” But, in contrast to Agag and the best of the livestock being spared, the Lord’s words were simply to “destroy utterly.” Jeremiah 48:10 tells us, “Cursed be he that doeth the work of Jehovah negligently.”
God never unwarrantedly sets out casual precepts for His people – God knows all things and His Word is to make us “wise unto salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15). But, we must heed and follow it (“But be ye doers of [the] word and not hearers only, beguiling yourselves” – James 1:22). Whatever his protestations to the contrary, King Saul did not fulfill the word of the Lord, and, we can be reminded that, extending the time frame some 500 years later after Israel had been taken into captivity, we see in the Book of Esther that Haman the Agagite (the Amalekite) was single-mindedly bent on destroying all the Jews!
What we next see is that Samuel takes the reins in respect to Saul’s failure in regard to the Amalekites. He has already confronted Saul about his failure and that the kingdom was to be removed from him; but, he must resolve the matter yet at hand. He says, “Bring ye near to me Agag the king of Amalek.” If Saul and the Israelites have failed the Lord, Samuel is going to ensure that the Lord’s rights are maintained. Are we prepared to do this? If other Christians – perhaps those with whom we are in fellowship, perhaps friends, or, relatives – loved ones – go astray – are we prepared to stand (alone if necessary) for the Lord’s rights? While conditions of right, unified fellowship are uppermost in God’s mind for His people, with all the broken, divided conditions in Christendom today, it is unquestionable that the Lord has in view the side of individual faithfulness.
We see that “Agag came to him gaily.” This is an unregenerate man with no judgment as to either himself or the Amalekites history of antipathy towards God’s people. “And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.” This is the natural mind full-blown – i.e., ignoring sin, ignoring hatreds, ignoring a history of unwarranted aggressions against the rights of others – self says, `Why should there be death upon me?’
“Samuel said, As thy sword has made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless above women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before Jehovah in Gilgal.”
Fearsome judgment! No right-minded Christian has any intent or desire to enact such a terrible circumstance on any – even if only in thought – our desire and prayer is for men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:1). However, the moral teaching is clear enough – there is no opportunity for the Amalekite to resurrect himself. The old man is decisively dead – not only removed but hewed in pieces.
Here is our challenge as Christians: have we effectively and unreservedly put our old man to death? The teaching of the Cross is specific --- it involves the total removal of the old man – “Put to death therefore your members which [are] upon the earth” (Colossians 3:5), and, in the tabernacle system, the sin offering was to be entirely burnt up and consumed (see Exodus 29:13-14). We have to each effectuate this – make it practical in our own circumstances. Unless it is accomplished we will never be peaceful. The Lord shows us this in Matthew 6:7 when He says, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and will love the other, or he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” It is a solemn matter to judge and remove the flesh, and I fear we are slow to accomplish this necessity. We cannot properly walk here as Christians with one foot in Christianity, so to speak, and the other foot in the old man and a world system that is in moral departure from God.
The power for this – as is true in all things Christian and in life – is through affection for and fidelity to Christ. All must be accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit; but, the catalyst is love.
The recompense of putting the old man to death is the sweet companionship of the Lord. Walking with God brings assurance (“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever” – Isaiah 32:17). It brings ineffable joy (“enter into the joy of thy lord” – Matthew 25:21). There are many, right, God-given joys in this world (marriage, proper relationships, the sweetness of the light); but, nothing compares to the depth of what we have centered in Christ. Our brother Bernard of Clairvaux so beautifully penned –
“Jesus ! the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest.”
Fellow Christians – let us each be diligent to implement the character and results of the Cross in our own paths here. We should all agree that the disunity today among Christians is pervasive, dismaying and totally dishonoring to the Lord. Much of this we have to leave with the Lord. Nevertheless, God leaves us with teaching regarding our individual Christian paths in times of breakdown – and, the tenor of this teaching is clearly woven throughout Scripture. The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in the 2nd chapter of his 2nd epistle – “the firm foundation of God stands” and God calls upon us to leave what is scripturally wrong and to then “pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.”
May this heart and mind be in us all – may we each, like Samuel, whatever may be contrary, be prepared to stand for God’s rights. This should be a particularly meaningful reality as we are surely approaching the close of this dispensation. Revelation 21:2 speaks of being “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” May it be so.
[1] Esau was the firstborn according to nature; but, he was “supplanted” by Jacob who was to be preeminent according to promise (see Genesis 25:23,26 – the name Jacob means supplanter). Esau was a “man of the field” (i.e., of the earth), and this links with 1 Corinthians 15 in which we see that “But that which is spiritual [was] not first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual: the first man out of [the] earth, made of dust; the second man, out of heaven.”