Last time, we looked at the Cause and the Content of Fear. In this article, in exploring The Anatomy of Fear, we will examine the Consequences of fear (I thought I could also include the Solution to fear in this post, but it would be a tad too long :)).
Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
1 Samuel 13:13-14
Saul’s actions led to lasting consequences, and fear motivated his decisions. Fear is mysterious, for it spoils otherwise prudent measures and exchanges great for lesser values. Therefore, we who continue to face fears are wise to understand the causes and content of fear and the consequences. By looking at Saul’s fear and subsequent results related to acting out in fear, we can discern general warnings that will help us navigate our choices today.
Consequences of Fear
- Acting in Fear Leads to Foolishness“You have acted foolishly…”
- One of the consequences Saul endured for his actions out of fear was an indictment of foolish actions. The fool in the Bible is the foil or the opposite of the wise: “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God” (Ps 14:1) and “fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov 1:7).
- To be a fool is to deny God’s existence and guidance over creation. Job had to learn this lesson, and when he did, his response was humility and repentance. Throughout the Bible, the fool is the opposite of the wise and rejects wisdom and instruction. In other words, the fool simply cannot be taught because his ways are always best. Sounds eerily like our first parents in the Garden of Eden.
- What’s the lesson for us? Fear leads to foolishness. Thus, we are warned by this general principle that wisdom leans into fear and trusts God.
- Acting in Fear Loses Opportunities“The Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever…”
- Although Saul was not of the tribe of Judah and therefore not promised the ultimate right to rule Israel (Gen 49:10), God still provided–according to this verse–the opportunity for his house to lead Israel in some capacity if Saul had remained faithful. That opportunity was forever lost when Saul’s actions from fear led him to disobey God’s Word through His prophet, Samuel.
- Many “What if?” thoughts come to mind as we read this verse, but one lesson rises above the rest: When God’s Word is disobeyed, God, because He is holy, must offer justice. While Christians affirm and believe in God’s grace (which we’ll explore in detail in the next post), we also must affirm and accept God’s justice. Our lives give testimony to the consequences of deeds done long ago, not according to God’s Word. In Christ, our sins are removed and forgiven, and we are accepted, but our consequences remain.
- What’s the lesson for us? Fear leads to opportunities lost. Thus, we are warned by this general principle that while we may be forgiven and reconciled to God by grace through faith, we must still endure the consequences of our actions (whether small or significant) as a warning to us and others.
- Acting in Fear Removes Authority:“The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart…”
- Saul’s position of authority was such that he directed the affairs of God’s chosen people. Of all the nations in the world, God chose the family of Abraham to be His covenant mediators, worshipping Him (through obedience to His Laws) so that the nations would turn to God for reconciliation with their Creator (see also Jonah and Nineveh). Even though Israel was not as large as it would be and had to fight relentless enemies, they still had God as the Warrior (Deut 7:21-22), which was enough.
- The replacement for Saul was not another man like the nations (1 Sam 8:4-5), but a man after God’s own heart. This type of man would not see God’s Law as a token genie or a box to check but rather as his life. This man would pen seventy-three Psalms and pray after poetically and powerfully describing God’s Word, “…let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight” (Ps 19:14).
- What’s the lesson for us? Fear leads to the removal of authority. Thus, we are warned by this general principle that facing fear maintains authority and enables one to lead with biblical authority.
Now these are the last words of David.
David the son of Jesse declares,
The man who was raised on high declares,
The anointed of the God of Jacob,
And the sweet psalmist of Israel,
“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
“The God of Israel said,
The Rock of Israel spoke to me,
‘He who rules over men righteously,
Who rules in the fear of God,
Is as the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
When the tender grass springs out of the earth,
Through sunshine after rain.’
2 Samuel 23:1-4
— September 12, 2023