Today I read 1 Samuel 8, in which Israel demands a king even after Samuel’s warnings. Today I considered that sometimes we know the bad consequences to our actions but still want to do what we want to do.
Warned of Being Imprisoned By Our Actions
The people wanted to change to having a king regardless of the consequences (1 Samuel 8:1-22). Samuel was old when he made his sons Joel and Abiah judges over Israel. His sons were corrupt so the people asked for a king like every other country. God told Samuel the children of Israel were rejecting God, to give them a king, and to give them what they asked for but warn them of what was to come. Samuel warned them the king would take their crops to feed his people, and take their sons and daughters to be servants and go to war for him. Israel still wanted a king and Samuel told them to go home. Sometimes we are warned our actions will enslave us but we still want to try.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
There are many addictions in the world including addictions to drugs, alcohol, gambling, food, Internet use, gaming, stealing, etc. People receive warnings through campaigns like “Just Say No to Drugs” or sayings like “In gambling, the many must lose in order that the few may win” or “Being addicted to food brings suffering, declining health, and a total lack of self-esteem” or through Bible references like the seven deadly sins and through Bible verses like Galatians 5:19-21.
What thing have you done even though you were warned and you had to live with the consequences?