Here's a summary of what we'll be learning:
Long before Saul was appointed Israel’s first king, God gave Moses specific instructions for kings. God was the true King, yet He knew His people would become discontent without a human on the throne. In grace, God prepared them for that future day. Israel’s king was to “write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law” and “read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God” (Deuteronomy 17:18–19, NIV).
A few kings did as God commanded. God called King David “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22, NIV), and King Josiah, when hearing God’s Word for the first time, was so distressed at his nation’s dis- obedience that he tore his clothes in anguish. Still, many others did not revere God. Saul started well but let pride get the better of him. And Ahab and Jehoiakim were downright evil, violently opposing God and His prophets.
But God did not give up on His people. Over and over, He showed mercy, drawing near to Israel and calling them back to Himself.
What an important truth for each one of us! When we are doing well and feel close to God, He wants to be near to us. And when we are spread thin, our pride creating illusions of self-sufficiency, God still wants to be near us.
As you prepare for this series, read through the stories of kings and prophets. Where do you see God drawing near to Saul, David, Sol- omon, Elijah, Josiah, and Jeremiah? Where do you see God’s sover- eignty? Where do you see His mercy?
God longs to draw near to you. Where is He meeting you in your circumstances today?