That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10-11
When prophet Samuel was getting old he appointed his sons Joel and Abijah to be judges over Israel and to follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately they did not walk in the ways of the Lord but chose to take bribes, they were driven by their bellies and perverted God's judgement. So the people asked Samuel for a king because his sons were not reliable. Their request wasn't inherently wrong since God had already promised them a king ( Genesis 49:10), it was their motive that came out of a selfish heart; they desired to have a king just like all the other nations, that would fight their battles for them. Instead of turning to God and trusting Him as their one and true king, they preferred a man over God and in doing so they rejected God.
God granted their request and instructed Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel's first human king. (prior to this Israel's government had always been a theocracy) However, Samuel warned the children of Israel of the oppression and injustice that would come with the new king., yet the people persisted and refused to listen. He also warned them not to rebel or break God's commandments, if they did then God would be against them. But if they repented from their ways and serve the Lord with all their hearts then God wouldn't forsake them.
After Samuel showed them what a wicked thing they had done by rejecting God, the people feared greatly and pleaded with him to pray for them so they wouldn't die. And Samuel comforted them and exhorted them to turn from their wickedness and to serve the Lord with all their hearts, forsaking the vain things that didn't profit them. (1 Samuel 8-12)
Since there's nothing new under the sun, we see the same scenario again in the time of Jesus.
Jesus who was prophesied to be the salvation and king of Israel came preaching about repentance and the kingdom of God. (Matthew 4:17)
Yet the people at his time just like their ancestors, rejected Him and they rejected the gospel because in their hearts they desired and were looking for a king that would restore their earthly kingdom. They expected a man like David to come and fight their battles.
When Pontius Pilate at the trial of Jesus asked them whether He should release Jesus or Barabbas, the people demanded for Jesus to be crucified saying that they had no king but Caesar. (John 1:11, John 19:15, Isaiah 53)
After Jesus death, resurrection and anscesion, the apostles and followers of Jesus went on preaching the same message of repentance and some were convicted of their ways - realizing they had rejected the Son of God- they asked what they should do to be saved. The message and answer was the same: Repent! ( Luke 13:3, Acts 8:22)
The Israelites to this day choose to be under the law of Moses than to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and King. Whoever denies the Son has not the Father! (1John 2:23) Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and all ( Jew and Gentile) have to go through Him to get to the Father. His own people ( Israel) rejected Him just like their ancestors did in the past with God the Father. God however has not cast away His people but is calling them to repentance, He is patient and merciful. ( Romans 11-1-36)
All the prophets and apostles spoke out of the inspiration of the Holy Ghost and the message was always and is going to stay the same: Repent, be converted from your wicked ways and serve the Lord with all your hearts! Other recurring messages that are emphasized in the word of God are:
- Fear God and serve Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24, Hebrews 12:28, Revelation 15:4)
- God is not pleased to see anyone perish but is long-suffering giving us time for repentance. ( Ezekiel 18:23, 2 Peter 3:9)
- To focus our eyes on the kingdom of God, not loving this world.(1 Samuel 12;21,1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 16:24)
The lesson we can learn from this is that when you reject God as your Lord and king, preferring to be ruled and led by men then God will give you your hearts desire. God will not be your Lord by force, but there is a consequence in regarding the rule of men over God; men are fallible unlike God, they tend to oppress and abuse their authority putting burdens on you. God is the only just and righteous judge and He is the only one that can and wants to take your burdens away. (Matthew 11:28-30) Jesus can give you rest, but when we choose to live in this world disregarding God in our heart then we will going to walk around with burdens. We shouldn’t cling to this world because it is passing away with everything in it. Don’t put your trust in the government of this world because they themselves are captives to Satan. (Luke 6:39)