Envy
Today’s Passage – 1 Samuel 19 – 21
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 7 – 8; Psalms 16 – 20; Proverbs 4)
The Scripture Memorization for the month of April is 1 Corinthians 13
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Deuteronomy 32:4
“And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.” – (1 Samuel 19:1)
I feel sorry for Saul. I don’t think that deep down inside he wants to hate David, but there is something about David that Saul just can’t get past. He is so envious of David; so afraid that the people are going to love David more than him, and more than his son Jonathon. David has done nothing to warrant this treatment from Saul. He has never challenged Saul’s authority; he has never rebelled against Saul’s orders; he has never failed to exceed anything that Saul has ever asked him to do. David’s sin is that he does things too well. Saul sees very plainly that the hand of God is upon David, and what’s worse is that Saul also knows that God is no longer with Saul. Samuel had told Saul that there was going to come another man, a man after God’s own heart, that God would use to replace Saul. Saul was smart enough to realize that David was the man that God had chosen.
I said that I feel sorry for Saul because I know what it is like to be envious of other people. It is something that I pray about all the time. I think envy is rooted in insecurity. Saul was insecure. He didn’t trust himself (or God) enough to fight Goliath, so he let a young boy do his fighting for him; and when David succeeded and was praised by the people it made Saul even more insecure. We can plainly see what Saul’s problem is, but how could it be fixed? And how can we get rid of the green eye of envy from our own lives? Well, to begin with we must recognize the problem; and then, like any other sin, we must confess it and ask God’s help in overcoming it. I don’t think, however, that it is a problem that will go away overnight. I have been struggling with envy all of my life. I am gradually learning, though, to not compare myself with anybody else. God has uniquely designed me for a specific purpose, which is very different from anybody elses purpose. My job is to be the best that I can be at what God has called me to do. I need to keep my focus on God, and His will, not on anyone else. You can see that Saul couldn’t see God’s will, because he was consumed with David. What a shame.
Can you relate to Saul? Do you ever find yourself being jealous and envious over other people’s abilities or maybe their possessions? Ask God to help. I believe that if we really want to be delivered from the bondage of envy, and are willing to humble ourselves before God, He will help us.
“For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.” – (Job 5:2)
“A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.” – (Proverbs 14:30)
“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” – (Proverbs 27:4)
“For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.” – (Mark 15:10)
Posted in Thoughts from 1 Samuel by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.
I don’t understand the phrase used several times, “and there was an evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul”? Evil spirit from the Lord is a contradiction to me. What does he mean?
You see this pharase used several times in 1 Samuel. Look at 1 Samuel 16:14 – 16, 23; 18:10; and of here in 19:9. I think the key to understanding this is to realize what God says where it is first mentioned in 16:14 – “the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul”. God’s hand was no longer upon Saul because Saul was no longer obeying God. Saul was more concerned about his popularity with the people. Just before 16:14, we read that Samuel had annointed David to be king. In other words, God’s hand of blessing was no longer on Saul, but on David; and once the Holy Spirit was no longer upon Saul, evil spirits (devils) were allowed by God to trouble him. These were most definitely not good angels. Remember, nothing can happen to anybody unless God allows it. Even Satan had to get God’s permission before he could afflict Job; and God even determined the extent of the affliction.
Keep in mind that this unique set of circumstances can not happen today. Today, in the time of the New Testament Church, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is different. He indwells all believers, and seals all believers. Jesus dwells within us through the Holy Spirit of God, and He says that He will never leave us or forsake us. Devils cannot indwell believers today, though they can mess with us.
I cannot honestly say that I fully understand all of this, but I hope what I have shared with you helps you understand it a little more.
Thx that does help. I could understand evil spirits from the devil but wasn’t thinking about it as evil spirits ‘allowed’ by God. That makes more sense to me now. Thx again.
I thought the same thing whenI read this passage. Thanks